DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football missed a game-tying 48-yard field goal attempt as time expired as Hampden-Sydney College escaped with a 31-28 conference win Saturday evening on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
Averett (3-3, 0-3 ODAC) battled back from a 28-17 deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game, 28-28, with 5:06 to play. However, Hampden-Sydney (4-2, 2-1 ODAC) managed to drive back down the field into Averett territory while eating up the clock. Averett's defense got a third-down stop, leading to the Tigers attempting a 29-yard field goal with 43 seconds remaining. Although the Cougars blocked two kicks earlier, Elijah Swett was able to connect on what turned out to be the game-winner.
Averett had one last possession to answer. On fourth and 15 at its own 27-yard line, Averett fifth-year quarterback
Bryce Jackson connected with junior receiver
Shawn Watlington for a 25-yard pass to get into Hampden-Sydney territory. Another 12-yard completion to senior
Nick Andrews got Averett to the 36-yard line. That set up a 53-yard field goal attempt as time expired, which fell short. Yet, the Cougars got one more opportunity after the Tigers were flagged for being offsides, leading to one more untimed down. Averett moved five yards closer for one more field goal attempt, which narrowly missed to give the Tigers the big conference road win.
Hampden-Sydney opened with a 7-0 lead early on a 20-yard touchdown run, but Averett answered minutes later thanks to a 43-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back
Isaiah Lytton to knot the score at 7-7 with 9:19 left in the first quarter. The momentum continued for the Cougars after the defense forced a three-and-out. On the first play of the ensuing possession, Jackson hit sophomore receiver
Jamahrie Owens for an 80-yard touchdown to put Averett in front 14-7.
First half scoring continued as Averett got a 30-yard field goal by fifth-year senior
Will Caviness to extend the lead to 17-7. The Tigers got a 54-yard touchdown pass down the sideline just before the quarter ended to close the gap to 17-14.
In the second quarter, Hampden-Sydney surged ahead with a 36-yard touchdown pass and a 64-yard touchdown pass to help the Tigers take a 28-17 by halftime.
After neither team scored in the third quarter, Averett began its comeback. The Cougars' drive stalled at the Hampden-Sydney 19-yard line, but Caviness kicked in a 36-yard field goal to get Averett within 28-20 with 9:03 to play. The Tigers looked to make it a two-possession game again after getting to the Averett 11-yard line. However, for the second time sophomore
P.J. Hopper came off the edge to block the field goal attempt as senior
Namari Borders recovered it to keep Hampden-Sydney off the scoreboard.
That big play gave Averett life as Jackson found Watlington for a 33-yard pass to get near midfield. Jackson then hit Watlington again for a 46-yard touchdown on a short pass down the middle. Down by two, Averett went for the tying two-point conversion, which was successful on a pass from Jackson to junior tight end
Christian Williams with 5:06 remaining to set up the nail-biting finish.
Despite the loss, it was an electric atmosphere as Averett celebrated Homecoming with a packed stadium and pyrotechnics while honoring alumni award recipients, Hall of Fame inductees and Homecoming court during halftime.
Averett's offense had its own fireworks as Jackson threw for 329 yards, Lytton ran for a career-high 129 yards and Watlington caught eight passes for a career-high 176 yards. Watlington also extended his touchdown streak to five games.
Averett's defense was led by Hopper, who blocked two kicks and broke up two passes in addition to his 127 yards on kickoff returns. Fifth-year defensive end
Jahlin Russell had a team-high 12 tackles with one sack and one quarterback hurry. Redshirt junior linebacker
Lamar Horner and fifth-year senior linebacker
Qumar Price each had eight tackles and a quarterback hurry.
Averett hosts Bridgewater College on Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.
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