Averett beats Ferrum in USA South opener

Cougars top Panthers 19-7 in Ferrum Saturday

FERRUM, Va. – Averett used a pair of blocked punts and a pick-six to score 19 points in a span of eight minutes to beat Ferrum in the USA South opener for both schools.

Following a scoreless first half, Averett'a Tyriek Able picked of a Zack Clifford pass and returned it 73 yards for a score at 6:08 of the third quarter. The Cougars' Nicholas Mince recorded the first of his two blocked punts on Ferrum's next drive and the Cougars punched it in on the next play to grab a 12-0 lead.

On Ferrum's next possession, Mince again blocked a Cullen King punt and returned it 57 yards for a score and a 19-0 Averett lead. The Panthers (2-1, 0-1 USA South) then drove 89 yards in five plays, scoring on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Clifford to Dre Davis with six minutes left in the game. Clifford was 18-38 passing for 186 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

His 38 pass attempts is a new single-game record. Brian Mann had 114 yards rushing on 20 carries. Joshua Euubanks was 10-16 for 16 yards passing for the Cougars (1-2, 1-0 USA South).