DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football's offense got going in the second half, but the Cougars couldn't overcome a large first-half deficit in a 46-14 loss to Southern Virginia University in the Cougars' home opener Saturday evening on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
After building a 33-0 lead by halftime, Southern Virginia (2-0) opened the second half with a 63-yard touchdown pass on its first drive to put the Knights up 40-0. However, Averett (0-2) was able to finally break through with an 11-play, 81-yard drive midway through the third quarter. Redshirt sophomore quarterback
Ethan Ross found freshman receiver
Jamarrie Lumpkins, who got into the end zone for a touchdown to close the gap to 40-6 following the failed two-point conversion.
After Southern Virginia responded with another touchdown in the final seconds of the third to make it 46-6, Averett again responded with a scoring drive early in the fourth quarter. Ross once again found Lumpkins for a long pass to get Averett into Southern Virginia territory. The two connected later on the drive for an 8-yard touchdown with 11:30 remaining. Ross converted the two-point conversion on a pass to junior tight end
Calvin Speed III to close the deficit to 46-14.
Despite outscoring Southern Virginia in the second half, Averett's comeback ran out of time as the Cougars suffered their first loss to the Knights in four meetings.
Southern Virginia struck first, driving down on its first possession before connecting for a 6-yard touchdown pass to go up 7-0 with eight minutes left in the first quarter. The Knights added another touchdown on a 2-yard run just before the end of the quarter to increase their lead to 14-0.
Southern Virginia made it 20-0 early in the second quarter after taking advantage of an Averett mistake. The Cougars' fumbled the punt snap in the end zone and the Knights jumped on the loose ball for a touchdown. After Averett's next drive stalled, a long punt return put the Knights in good field position. That set up another touchdown pass as Southern Virginia pushed its lead to 27-0 with 9:25 left in the half. The Knights tacked on another rushing touchdown just before the half to make it 33-0 at the break.
Averett senior linebacker
Anthony Brunelli led the Cougars in tackling for the second consecutive week after totaling 15 tackles. Redshirt freshman safety
Caden Thorne also had double-digit tackles with 11. Averett's defense finished with four sacks.
Offensively, Ross finished with 208 yards passing. Lumpkins finished with six receptions for 99 yards, including his first two career touchdowns. Junior
Christian Jones also had six catches for 55 yards. Redshirt sophomore
Jaylin Neal had nine carries for 63 yards on the ground.
Averett returns to action on Sept. 20 when the Cougars open Old Dominion Athletic Conference on the road at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
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