Sep 30, 2023
DANVILLE, Va. - A gritty, stubborn defensive effort helped flip the script in the Washington and Lee University football team's 25-20 comeback win over Averett University in Saturday's Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) opener at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter | 0-0 Tied
- Washington and Lee won the coin toss and elected to receive. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Stephen Murrin found Marcus Payne on a play-action pass for a 44-yard gain to put the Generals on the Averett 21 yardline.
- A few plays later, Payne got his first carry of the night but was swallowed up by Jahlin Russell who jarred the ball loose, giving the ball to Averett at their own eight yard line.
- Both offenses couldn't find their footing, losing all momentum on drives which ended the first quarter with a score of 0-0.
Second Quarter | 14-8 Averett
- The Cougars last drive of the first quarter stretched into the start of the second and on fourth down, Will Caviness found Trevor Testerman in the endzone for a 16-yard score.
- After the Generals were forced to punt on their next drive, the Cougars used a five-play, 35-yard drive to take a 14-0 lead over W&L.
- The Generals offense could not find its footing as Seth Harden and Lamar Horner of Averett stuffed Murrin on 4th and 1, shutting down the Blue and White's drive.
- Two plays later, quarterback Bryce Jackson made a costly mistake as his pass was tipped and fell right into the hands of Connor O'Malley. O'Malley found his way into the endzone but after a holding penalty, the ball was placed on the Averett 46 yard line.
- However, the Generals would put their first points on the board as Jacob Romero capped off a seven-play, 46-yard drive with a one yard scamper.
- The Cougars next drive would stall, sending them into the half with a 14-8 lead.
Third Quarter | 14-11 Averett
- Averett received the ball in the second half and on 3rd and 6, Junior Uno Christopherdragged down Testerman two yards short of the first down marker to force a Cougar punt.
- The Generals next drive ended in a punt after Anthony Crawford was stopped at the line of scrimmage by Qumar Price and Carey Dickinson.
- Averett marched down the field and on 4th and 14, Caviness attempted a 44-yard field goal but Zach Cruet disrupted its path, making it fall short of the goal post.
- On W&L's next drive, Murrin found Andrew Bland for a 31-yard gain but the drive stalled and the field goal unit was sent onto the field. Arturo Ramirez drilled a 47 yard field goal to end the third quarter to cut the Averett lead to three.
Fourth Quarter | 25-20 W&L
- Averett's next drive moved into the fourth quarter and on 4th and 3, Will Knight and Christopher plugged up the middle, shutting down Qumar Price's rushing attempt to force a turnover on downs.
- The Generals used that defensive stop to their advantage as they marched 74-yards on 11 plays to take an 18-14 lead. Romero capped off the drive with a seven yard score, his second of the night.
- The Blue and White defense forced yet another Averett punt which led to a six-play, 35-yard scoring drive for the Generals. Anthony Crawford followed Cameron Reed, his lead blocker, into the endzone for a two-yard score to put W&L up 25-14 with 2:22 left in the game.
- The Cougars only needed three plays to go 70-yards as Bryce Jackson found Shawn Watlington in the corner of the endzone to cut the deficit to five with 1:50 to go in the game.
- Averett would try to extend the game with an onside kick and after a failed attempt, the Cougars were awarded another try to get the ball back. Their second attempt also failed, giving the ball back to the Generals with minimal time remaining in the game.
- With 28 seconds left, Everett Andersen's punt was downed at the Averett 11 yard line, giving the Cougars one final shot. A final desperation play which involved four laterals, ended up in the hands of Cruet, giving the Generals a 25-20 win.
W&L GAME NOTES
- W&L improves to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in conference play while winning their third-straight game against the Cougars. The Generals lead the all-time series against Averett, 5-3.
- The Generals rushed 56 times for 222 yards while netting 123 yards in the air for 345 yards of total offense. The Blue and White averaged four yards per rush while scoring all three touchdowns on the ground.
- 11 of the Generals' 22 first downs were on the ground while they moved the sticks seven times with their passing game.
- The Generals were favored in the time of possession as they ate up 38:19 on 74 offensive plays. The Blue and white were 9 of 18 (50%) on third down and 1 of 3 (33%) on fourth down conversions.
- The W&L offense converted on three of their four trips to the redzone.
- The Generals defense shut down the Cougars running game, only allowing 97 yards on the ground. Coming into tonight's contest, Averett averaged 224.3 rushing yards per game.
AVERETT GAME NOTES
- Averett suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 3-1 on the season and 0-1 in ODAC play. The Cougars have not beaten W&L since 2014.
- The Cougars run game was stagnant, only gaining 97 yards. They found success in the air, passing for 190 total yards, a season-high. Averett averaged 13.6 yards per completion and 6.3 yards per attempt.
- The Cougars were 5 of 12 (42%) on third down while converting once on their two fourth down attempts. The offense found the endzone on all three trips to the redzone.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Murrin completed 11 of his 18 pass attempts for 154 yards with a long of 44 yards. Bryce Jackson completed 13 of his 29 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns while throwing one interception. Jackson had a long of 45 yards.
- Romero rushed 28 times for a career-high 132 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Crawford rushed for 12 yards and one touchdown.
- Shyheim Watlington rushed six times for 35 yards and an average of 5.8 yards per carry.
- Watlington caught three passes for 39 yards and two touchdowns while Testerman of Averett caught four passes for 83 yards.
- Josh Garcia caught three passes for 49 yards while Bland had 40 yards of two catches.
- Qumar Price recorded a career-high 16 tackles, nine solo and seven assisted while recording 1.5 tackles for loss. Jahlin Russell recorded 13 tackles, a new career-high, while picking up two tackles for loss. Russell also forced a fumble on the Generals opening drive.
- Nathan Unger and Will Knight led the defense with seven tackles, a new career-highs, and 0.5 tackles for loss.
UP NEXT
- The Generals return to Wilson Field on Saturday, Oct. 7 as they take on ODAC foe, Guilford College during Parents and Family Weekend. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m.