WASHINGTON, D.C. — A second-half push by Gallaudet University helped the Bison get past Averett University football 39-30 on Saturday in both teams' Old Dominion Athletic Conference opener.
The Cougars' offense threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense picked off two passes. However, it wasn't enough to lift Averett (0-3, 0-1 ODAC) against Gallaudet (1-1, 1-0 ODAC).
Gallaudet, playing its first game as football members of the ODAC, jumped ahead early despite a strong start from Averett's defense. Freshman safety
DeMarcus Sharper reeled in his first career interception on deep pass down to the Cougars' 2-yard line. Although the turnover gave Averett the ball, the Cougars' offense didn't have much room to operate with its back against the end zone. After going three-and-out, the short punt was returned by the Bison deep into Averett territory to set up a quick touchdown that gave Gallaudet the 7-0 lead with 8:40 left in the first quarter.
The Cougars responded quickly, however, with a 10-play scoring drive to tie it. Redshirt sophomore quarterback
Ethan Ross swung a pass out to the right for senior
Jamahrie Owens, who ran it in for a 5-yard score with 4:29 left in the opening quarter.
Averett's defense came through again on Gallaudet's ensuing drive as sophomore safety
Jeremiah Marks. Although that drive didn't culminate with any points, the Cougars took their first lead on a drive that spanned the first and second quarter. Ross found junior receiver
Christian Jones for a 43-yard pass as Jones cut back past several defenders for the long touchdown to give Averett a 14-7 advantage at the 14:14 mark of the second quarter.
Averett's defense initially stuffed Gallaudet on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, but an offside call on the Cougars gave the Bison another opportunity, which they capitalized on. However, Averett maintained a 14-13 lead after the missed extra point.
The Cougars took a 17-13 lead into halftime thanks to freshman
Michael Markulic's 28-yard field — the first of his career — with 5:32 left in the half.
Although Averett had the upper hand in the first half, the Bison found momentum in the third quarter. Gallaudet pulled back in front 20-17 late in the third quarter with a 7-yard quarterback run up the middle. The Bison then took advantage of an Averett mistake to increase their lead. Averett looked to go for it on fourth-and-1, but the snap went over the quarterback's head and Gallaudet recovered on the Cougars' 26-yard line. The Bison connected on a 21-yard touchdown pass moments later to push their lead to 27-17 with 1:15 left in the game.
Averett quickly fired back. Ross hit junior receiver
Kayden Jackson with back-to-back 25-yard receptions — the latter for a touchdown as Jackson skied over his defender and stretched across the goal line with 14:53 left in the game to inch the Cougars within 27-24.
Gallaudet's 51-yard kickoff return put the Bison in good field position, and the drive finished off with a 4-yard touchdown pass. Gallaudet again missed the extra point, keeping its lead at 33-24 with 12:57 remaining.
Averett's offense answered as Ross and Jackson connected for a21-yard pass that nearly mirrored Jackson's touchdown reception earlier. Several plays later, sophomore running back
Nicholas Easley powered up the middle for a 1-yard score with 9:25 to go. The missed extra point kept Averett's deficit at 33-30.
Averett's defense had Gallaudet backed up for a third-and-goal from the Averett 19-yard line, but the Bison managed to find an open lane for a touchdown run to extend its lead to 39-30 with 3:13 to play. With time ticking away late, the Cougars worked quickly to race downfield, hitting on two long passes. However, the next throw across the middle somehow ended up in the arms of Darico Castillo, who ripped it away from the Cougars' receiver as they went to the ground for an interception. That all but ended Averett's chances as time for a comeback ran out.
Ross finished with 25 completions on 34 attempts for 331 yards and two touchdowns, with Jackson hauling in seven catches for a career-high 110 yards and a score.
Junior linebacker
Tyler Poff led the defense with 12 tackles, including a combined sack with sophomore defensive end
Rocco Fazzolari. Freshman defensive tackle
Nick Lincoln added a sack and sophomore defensive end
Ivan Williams had a team-high three quarterback hurries.
Averett returns home on Saturday, Sept. 27, against Bridgewater College at 2 p.m.
