DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football found a spark within its offense, but Washington and Lee University pulled away in the second half for a 61-21 conference win Saturday evening on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
After Washington and Lee (5-3, 5-1 ODAC) scored on its opening drive, Averett (0-8, 0-6 ODAC) found some electricity of its own early on. Freshman quarterback Brandan Saunders, making his first collegiate start, took the second play from scrimmage 64 yards for a touchdown to tie the game, 7-7, early in the opening quarter.
The Generals added two more quick touchdowns to surge ahead 21-7 by the end of the first quarter, but Averett didn't back down. Saunders helped engineer a 20-play, 75-yard scoring drive early in the second quarter. He eventually found redshirt senior receiver
Andre Francois for a 7-yard touchdown, scrambling before hitting Francois along the left part of the end zone.
Down 35-14, Saunders hit freshman
Jamarrie Lumpkins across the middle for a 5-yard touchdown reception in the final seconds of the first half to close the gap to two scores entering halftime.
Although Averett's offense exploded for 21 points in the opening half, the Cougars couldn't find the same rhythm in the second half. Meanwhile, Washington and Lee's triple-option offense continued to cause problems for the Cougars' defense while tacking on four more touchdowns. The Generals rushed 26 times for 589 net yards and only passed once all game — an 82-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.
Saunders finished 20-for-35 passing for 201 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed 20 times for a net of 94 yards and a touchdown. Senior
Jamahrie Owens caught four passes for a team-high 75 yards, while junior
Kayden Jackson caught a team-best six passes for 34 yards.
Freshman safety
Seth Wiley had a career-high 10 tackles, with junior
Jonethan Guess making nine tackles and recovering a fumble.
Averett makes its final road trip of the season to Guilford College on Saturday, Nov. 8.
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