GREENSBORO, N.C. — Sometimes it isn't how you start but how you finish. Averett University football overcame an early deficit to surge ahead for a 27-20 non-conference road win over Greensboro College on Saturday.
Averett (2-0) rallied from 20-12 hole midway through the third quarter to tie the game in the final minute of the period when sophomore quarterback Ethan Ross hit sophomore receiver Trevor Testerman for a 3-yard touchdown. The duo connected moments later on the two-point conversion to tie the game, 20-20, entering the final period.
Freshman cornerback Joziah Campbell's interception deep in Pride territory proved to be the key moment the Cougars needed to finally break through. On the next play, Ross broke through the line nearly untouched on his way to a 13-yard touchdown run to help Averett take its first lead of the day over Greensboro (0-2) with 6:05 remaining in the contest.
Averett's defense twice stopped Greensboro drives on fourth down over the final minutes to help the Cougars escape with the comeback victory.
A mishap on a punt helped Greensboro get the ball deep in Averett territory early in the first quarter, leading to a 9-yard touchdown for the Pride moments later. Greensboro then connected on a 67-yard touchdown pass at the 5:08 mark of the first quarter to extend its lead to 13-0 after the missed extra point.
The Cougars answered on their ensuing drive. Ross found senior receiver Shawn Watlington for a 39-yard completion to get Averett into the d red zone, and Ross finished it off soon after with a 9-yard touchdown run. A missed extra point kept the score at 13-6 with 1:39 left in the first half. That score held until halftime.
Averett closed to within 13-12 early in the third quarter when Ross found Watlington for a 15-yard touchdown with 10:06 on the clock. Yet, once again Greensboro answered with a home run on offense, connecting on a 70-yard touchdown pass to extend its lead to 20-12 before Averett mounted its comeback.
Ross, the reigning Old Dominion Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, threw for 206 yards with four total touchdowns — two passing and two rushing. Junior Gaby Soto also had a good day on the ground, rushing for 85 net yards on 24 attempts. Watlington led all Averett receivers with 103 yards on five catches.
Campbell finished with two interceptions to lead the defense, which also got a team-high nine tackles from graduate linebacker Tre' Maxwell.
Averett improved to 2-0 for the second consecutive year, and extended its winning streak to seven games against Greensboro.
The Cougars return home for a non-conference meeting with conference foe Ferrum College on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m.
