Averett University football: 2015 in Review A Look Back At The Season For Averett Football
2015 in Review
Season Highlights
High-powered Offense
Averett's offense was one of the best in the USA South Conference in 2015. The Cougars averaged 32.4 points per game, and they scored more than 30 points in five of their nine games.
Facing top-ranked teams
Averett faced tough opponents in 2015. The Cougars squared off with USA South Conference champion Huntingdon College, which went 7-0 in league play and advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
The Cougars' non-conference schedule also featured three strong teams from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, including ODAC champion Washington and Lee University, which went 10-0 during the regular season, made the NCAA playoffs and earned a Top 25 ranking. Averett also faced Guilford College, which went 9-1 and was nationally ranked in the Top 25 when the Cougars and Quakers battled.
Big victories
Overtime win at Ferrum
Sophomore kicker Chase Bailey's 35-yard field goal in overtime lifted Averett to a 31-28 conference victory over Ferrum College on Nov. 7, spoiling the Panthers' Senior Day and debut on their new synthetic turf field. The Cougars overcame a 28-7 deficit to tie the game in regulation.
Ferrum took the first possession in overtime, and after an incomplete pass and a 2-yard rush put the Panthers at third-and-8 on the Averett 23, senior linebacker Michael Reives intercepted Troy Helton's pass at the Averett 18 to give the Cougars possession of the ball.
Sophomore quarterback Kelly Hall completed a 12-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Myles Bennett to move the Cougars up the field, but a 5-yard loss set them back at Ferrum's 18. Two incomplete passes followed with one batted away, and at fourth-and-15, it was up to special teams.
Ferrum took a timeout before the kick to freeze Bailey, but he was unfazed. He came out of the timeout to nail the only field goal of the season for Averett.
Big victories
Cougars Beat Methodist in conference opener
Averett held off Methodist University in the closing minutes to earn a 41-33 conference victory on Oct. 10 at Daly Field.
Averett benefited from a strong performance by its offense early on as the Cougars built a 41-19 lead late into the third quarter. Yet, Averett relied heavily on its defense at the end as Methodist made a comeback.
Methodist scored near the end of the third quarter to get within 41-25, then added another touchdown and a two-point conversion to cut Averett's lead down to eight points with 7:40 to play. Averett's offense went three-and-out on its ensuing possession, opening the door for the Monarchs. Methodist nearly capitalized. It threw for two touchdown passes that were called back for penalties — one for holding and one for an illegal block. The Monarchs' drive stalled and they missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with 2:53 remaining. Still, Averett wasn't in the clear.
As Averett tried to drive down the field and eat up the clock, Methodist intercepted a pass near midfield with 1:59 to play. The Monarchs drove down to the Averett 24-yard line, but the Cougars got a sack and the defense's pressure forced two consecutive incomplete passes to set up a fourth-and-11 with 8.1 seconds to play. Dylan DeGroot's pass across the middle at the goal line fell incomplete in the end zone, just out of the reach of Anthony Radke, who was swarmed by several defenders. Averett took a knee to run out the final 2.8 seconds to earn its first win of the season.
Frank R. Campbell Stadium Groundbreaking
Averett University broke ground on the Frank R. Campbell Stadium during a special ceremony Oct. 24. Construction of the $3.3 million project began in November and is expected to be completed by July 2016. This is another project which is part of Averett's successful $29.1 million comprehensive capital campaign. The new stadium will be named after Averett's 22nd president, President Emeritus Dr. Frank R. Campbell. Campbell served as president from 1985-2002 and was crucial in helping begin Averett's football program in 2000.
"The 2015 season can be summed up as a season that showcased a high-powered offensive attack, which is exciting as we move forward. The football team experienced success in many different ways outside of wins and losses. Our foundation for leadership is at an all-time high. The expectation to win and compete at a high level in the USA South Conference has increased dramatically and we are looking forward to making significant strides in years to come." - Coach Cleive Adams
Setting Records & Other Notable performances
Hall marks
In nine games this season, sophomore quarterback Kelly Hall threw for more than 200 yards in six contests, becoming the first Cougar in program history to throw for 250 yards or more four times in a career.
Hall's most memorable performance came against N.C. Wesleyan College. He completed 19 of his 25 passes for a career-high 340 yards and six touchdowns. The six touchdown passes set a new single-game program record for Averett and tied the USA South Conference mark.
Jones' Big Returns
Averett sophomore running back Travis Jones is one of the most dangerous return specialists in the country. He proved it again in 2015. Jones returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, including a 90-yard return at Greensboro College and an 83-yard return for a score against N.C. Wesleyan College.
Jones' two kickoff returns for touchdown matched the program's single-season mark, and with three total kickoff returns for a touchdown in his career, he set the program's record for most returns to the house in a career.
Jones also became the first Cougar to produce more than 300 all-purpose yards in a game with 325 against N.C. Wesleyan. His 246 kick return yards that game is both an Averett and a USA South Conference record.
Owens Catches fire
Averett senior wide receiver Terrance Owens II proved to be a deep ball threat and a touchdown-catching machine in 2015. With two 100-yard receiving performances a season earlier, Owens pieced together three consecutive 100-yard games this season.
Against Greensboro College, Owens caught eight passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. The next week against Maryville College, Owens grabbed five passes for a career-high 137 yards. The following week versus N.C. Wesleyan College, Owens caught three passes - all three for touchdowns - to match his career-high of 137 yards receiving.
Bennett's back-to-back big games
Averett sophomore wide receiver Myles Bennett had been close to 100 receiving yards in a game several times early in the season. The local product finally broke through with back-to-back 100-yard games in 2015. Against N.C. Wesleyan College, Bennett had nine catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. The next week, he set a new career-high of 115 yards receiving on eight catches in Averett's win at Ferrum College.
Freshman Bowman breaks out
Against Maryville College, freshman running back Sean Bowman broke out for his first 100-yard rushing performance. Bowman ran 17 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns against the Scots.
Gilbert's pick-six
Late in the first quarter, senior cornerback Dontae Gilbert picked off N.C. Wesleyan College quarterback Dustin Midgett. With a convoy of blockers, Gilbert returned the interception 47 yards for a touchdown to increase Averett's lead at the time. It was Gilbert's fifth career pick.
Harris goes the distance
Randolph-Macon College was looking to score. Averett's defense had other plans. The Cougars forced a fumble and sophomore safety Elijah Harris grabbed the loose ball and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown, the longest fumble return for a touchdown in program history.
Reives' fumble return touchdown vs. No. 25 Guilford
Facing nationally ranked Guilford and the Quakers looking to score at the goal line, Averett senior linebacker Michael Reives scooped up a Guilford fumble and returned it 94 yards for a touchdown.
Warren sacks Monarchs
In Averett's win over Methodist University, sophomore defensive end Don Warren had a career day while terrorizing the Monarchs' offense. Warren recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks against Methodist and matched his high of nine total tackles.
Awards & Honors
Terrance Owens II
#4 | Wide Receiver
Senior | Brooksville, Fla.
2015 USA South All-Conference First Team Wide receiver
"Terrance is an explosive player who can make an immediate impact on a football game." - Coach Cleive Adams
Travis Jones
#13 | Running Back/Returner
Sophomore | Danville, Va.
2015 USA South All-Conference Second team Running Back
2015 USA South All-Conference Second Team Returner
USA South Special teams Player of the Week (Oct. 19 & Nov. 2)
"Travis is a versatile all-purpose running back who can impact the game by running, receiving and returning kicks on special teams. He is a Game changer." - Coach Cleive Adams
Dontae Gilbert
#14 | Cornerback
Senior | Salisbury, N.C.
2015 USA South All-Conference Second Team Defensive Back
"Dontae is a veteran defensive back with the ability to raise the play of those around him and make plays in critical situations." - Coach Cleive Adams
Kelly Hall
#5 | Quarterback
Sophomore | Concord, N.C.
USA South Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 12 & Nov. 2)
Chase Bailey
#37 | Kicker
Sophomore | Culpeper, Va.
USA South Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 9)
Michael Barbour Jr.
#6 | Wide Receiver
Junior | Mount Holly, N.C.
2015 USA South Conference All-Sportsmanship team
Michael is great leader, team player and mentor. Not only is he a critical part of our offensive attack, he sets an example of what a true student-athlete and teammate should be." - Coach Cleive adams
Senior Class
(C) 2015 Averett University Athletics. Season review produced by the Averett Sports Information Department. Photos courtesy of David Conner II and Drew Wilson.