Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
DANVILLE, Va. - The Brevard College Tornados Football team (2-6, 2-4 USAS) suffered its sixth setback of the season on the road against the Averett Cougars (6-2, 5-1 USAS) in conference action.
The game marked Brevard's last road contest in 2018, as the Tornados will return home to face Greensboro on Nov. 10.
The stout veteran presence of the Cougars proved too much for BC to overcome, as the Tornados were outgained 443 to 303 in total offense.
Averett got on the board first when BC freshman quarterback Dalton Cole was tackled in the end zone resulting in a safety to give Averett an early 2-0 advantage.
On the ensuing Cougar possession, Sean Bowman punched in a one-yard touchdown to extend Averett's lead to 8-0. This score held true after a missed two-point conversion.
After both teams traded possession back and forth, Averett found pay dirt once again as quarterback Jacob Wright capped off a 15 play, 87-yard drive with a five-yard rushing score to extend the Cougar lead to 15-0.
The third quarter proved to be another shutdown stanza for the Averett defense. The Cougars mustered a 23-yard field goal after an 11 play, 51-yard drive to push their lead to 18-0.
The Tornados' defense came through with their lone turnover of the contest as Brandon Whitfield forced a fumble which was recovered by Trevon Charles. However, Brevard could not capitalize, as Cole threw his first interception in the last four games on the ensuing BC possession.
Averett put its finishing touches on the night after a chunk play drive where the Cougars only ran four plays for a staggering 59 yards of offense. The drive was capped with a 19-yard Wright strike to Oran Davis to give Averett a 25-0 advantage.
Brevard's lone score of the evening came with just 10 seconds remaining in the contest. Cole found Tyler Gregory for a one-yard touchdown pass to help Brevard avoid its first shutout of the Bill Khayat era. Jose Flores' extra point attempt was blocked, sealing Averett's victory with a final score of 25-6.
The Cougars put the pressure on Brevard throughout the contest, sacking Cole five times along with five quarterback hurries.
Cole enjoyed another solid performance. The freshman from Hendersonville, N.C. finished throwing 21-33 (64%) for 238 yards and a touchdown. He currently ranks second in the USA South conference in passing yards (1377) and touchdowns (12).
Senior wide receiver Bubba Craven finished with six receptions for a season-high 112 yards. The outing marked the first 100+ yard performance for Craven, who eclipsed the 100-yard mark four times in 2017.
Gregory was the workhorse for BC on Saturday evening, rushing for a team-high 46 yards on 10 carries. He scored on a one-yard touchdown reception, marking Gregory's fifth total touchdown of the season.
Wesley Ross and Axel Easter anchored BC's defensive effort. Ross recorded nine total tackles, including one tackle-for-loss. Easter added eight total tackles alongside three tackles-for-loss.
Brevard returns home next Saturday, Nov. 3 for Senior Day at Brevard Memorial Stadium. Seniors Axel Easter, Bubba Craven, Devon Edge, Justin Peck, Ryan Jordan, and Tyler Gregory will be honored as part of the festivities.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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