Averett football tramples Methodist, sets records

DANVILLE — With its defense dominating, Averett's rushing attack trampled Methodist University 38-7 in USA South Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Den. The Cougars (5-2, 3-1 USA South) ran for a school-record 310 yards and had four rushing touchdowns to notch their fifth win in six games.

While Averett's ground game found plenty of success, the story of the game was the Cougars' defense. Averett limited Methodist (2-5, 1-3 USA South) to only 114 total yards — the lowest total by an opponent sine 2002. Yet, perhaps the most impressive stat was that Averett's defense didn't allow a first down until 8:48 left in the fourth quarter — when most of the Cougars' starting unit players out of the game.

On an afternoon where the weather alternated between showers and partly sunny skies, Averett got its offense going midway through the first quarter. Freshman Antwan Hughes capped off a five-play, 59-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to put Averett ahead 6-0.

Averett, which set a team single-game records with 63 rushing attempts and 310 net rushing yards, continued to attack on the ground. Junior Dontavious Watson scored a pair of rushing touchdowns to help put Averett ahead 21-0 at the half. Watson led all Averett rushers with 15 carries for 98 yards.

Another running back got in on the scoring action in the second half. Freshman Anthony McCall scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 13-yard run to extend the Cougars' lead to 28-0 with 11:58 left in the third quarter.

Junior quarterback Cody Ladutko, who threw for 113 yards, tossed his only touchdown of the game on Averett's next drive. Ladutko found senior wide receiver Anthony Squillini for a 36-yard score down the left sideline.

The Cougars also tacked on a 40-yard field goal by Matthew Wilson early in the fourth quarter.

Methodist's lone score came in the final six minutes on an Erik Teague 1-yard run up the middle. The Monarchs got four of their five total first downs on that scoring drive.

Averett's defense forced three interceptions — one each by senior Zane Cooper and freshmen Anthony Bowie and former Tunstall High School standout Mat Wilson. Another freshman, Michael Crudup, led the team in tackles with 4.5 — all coming on special teams. Senior Mario Huffman, also a former Tunstall star, had one of Averett’s four sacks.

Averett will look to carry that momentum into next Saturday's home game against Shenandoah University, which is set to kick off at 1 p.m.