DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University football team had to hold its breath as the final play unfolded, but the Cougars ultimately held on for a thrilling 28-21 home win over Guilford College to highlight Senior Day on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium on Saturday.
Tied 21-21 late in the fourth quarter, Averett (3-6, 1-5 ODAC) took the lead over Guilford (3-6, 0-6 ODAC) thanks to a 3-yard touchdown run by freshman
Jayden Williams to help the Cougars take a 28-21 advantage with 1:58 to play.
Despite strong pressure from the Averett defense, Guilford found success on its final drive with several big passing plays to get into Averett territory. With under 20 seconds to play, Guilford quarterback Caleb Robles rushed up the middle to the Averett 5-yard line. After spiking the ball with four seconds remaining, the Quakers were left with one last play to try to even the score.
Robles found receiver JuJu Rice across the middle in the back of the end zone for what appeared to be a touchdown. However, Rice stepped out of bounds before making the catch, nullifying the scoring play and ending the game. Once the call was confirmed by the officiating crew, Averett erupted in celebration for the win in its final home game of the season.
Guilford took the early 7-0 lead, scoring on a 10-yard pass on its first possession of the game. But a big return on the ensuing kickoff, helped by a personal foul penalty, set up Averett nicely for a scoring drive of its own. After a 20-yard reception by senior
Shawn Watlington, sophomore
Trevor Testerman ran the next play in from the 9-yard line to help even the score, 7-7, with 7:07 left in the first quarter.
The Quakers inched back in front 13-7 midway through the second quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run. Once again, Averett had an answer on its next possession. Testerman's pass across the middle was tipped by another receiver but landed in the hands of junior
Jamahrie Owens further upfield, and Owens finished the play for a 32-yard touchdown to tie the game, 14-14, before halftime.
Averett took a 21-14 lead with 10:47 left in the third quarter as junior Gabby Soto took the handoff and found space to the right for a 17-yard touchdown. That lead held until under five minutes left in the fourth quarter when Robles found Rice for a 13-yard touchdown score to tie the game at 21-21 and set up the thrilling finish.
Soto finished with a team-high 86 rushing yards to pass Averett's offense, which rushed for 250 yards as a team.
Averett's defense gave Guilford fits all day, totaling seven sacks. Freshman
Rocco Fazzolari had 2.5 and freshman
Jarrell Williams had 2.0 to lead the way. Sophomore
Ben Mast had an interception, as did freshman
Joziah Campbell, who picked off his fifth pass of the season while also getting a sack. Graduate student
Tre' Maxwell and junior
Anthony Brunelli led the team with 12 tackles apiece, with
Jarrell Williams and Fazzolari each adding eight tackles.
Prior to the game, Averett honored its 18 football seniors, as well as seniors on the cheer and dance teams and a pair of student athletic trainers.
Averett concludes its season on the road at rival Ferrum College on Nov. 16 at 3:30 p.m.
