MARYVILLE -- The Maryville College Scots excited the Homecoming crowd with 21 points to begin the game on Saturday, but the offense turned as cold as the afternoon air and the Averett University Cougars stormed back to defeat MC 24-21 in front of a capacity crowd of over 4,000 fans at Lloyd L. Thornton Stadium.

MC took the opening kickoff for a score moving the ball 67-yards in just over a minute in four plays. A scrambling Tim Conner hit Ryan Roach from 32 yards out to make the score 6-0. Andrew Noboa’s kick put the Scots ahead 7-0.

The Scots Tanner Caylor picked off Averett’s Cody Ladutko at the Maryville 21 yard line as Averett was threatening to score. Strong rushing by Rommel Hightower put MC in scoring position less than two minutes later. Conner then connected again with Roach, who out jumped his defender for a 34 yard score. Noboa’s conversion made the score 14-0.

In a first quarter than seemed to last forever, Averett took their third possession after pinning the Scots inside their own six yard line and forcing a punt. With great field position, Averett hit pay dirt after an MC personal foul and a pair of strong runs by Antwan Hughes. Hughes scored from seven yards out to make the score 21-6. MC’s Hunter West blocked the kick and the Scots maintained the 15 point advantage.

Zach Bledsoe’s 28 yard kick-off return gave Maryville excellent field possession on their next drive. A drive that featured a Hightower 21 yard completion from Conner ended when MC’s All-Time career rusher found the end zone on a 17-yard jaunt with 3:09 remaining in the first quarter. Noboa’s kick finished the first quarter with Maryville in the lead 21-6.

Both teams battled for field possession throughout the second stanza. At the 13:49 mark, the Cougars took over in Maryville territory. Eight plays and only 29 yards later, the Scots defense held Averett to a Klusacek 36 yard field goal. Each defense remained strong while the offensive attacks from each squad went stagnant until the Homecoming halftime activities concluded.

Leading 21-9, Maryville fumbled during their first possession of the second half.. The Cougars promptly threw an interception to the Scots Caleb Clement deep in MC territory. Tim Conner was then picked off by Zane Cooper giving the visitors another chance to score in MC territory. This time, Averett would capitalize. On the fourth play of the drive, Cougar quarterback Kwiatkowski hit Dixson for a 26 yard score. Klusacek’s kick made the score 21-16.

The game remained a stale mate as the Scots defense was challenged possession after possession to stop the Cougars while MC’s offense could not find their first quarter magic.

The remaining 3:32 would see the Cougars looking for the same type of drive that MC finished off Shenandoah last Saturday. Quarterback Cody Ladutko completed passes of 20, 11, 16, and 14 yards to put Averett within striking distance. He then hit D. Watson in the right side of the end zone for the six yard score. A two-point conversion pass to Steve Oristian made Averett’c comeback complete, 24-21.

Averett (4-2, 2-1 USA South) used Antwan Hughes’ 82 yards rushing in their 144 yard ground attack. Cody Ladutko went 13-for-31 for 169 passing yards. Squillini hauled in six passes for 91 yards. The Cougars were paced on defense by Mario Huffman and Zack Morton. Each player tallied 10 stops and had a sack on the day.

Maryville (3-3, 2-1 USA South) saw Rommel Hightower run for 117 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Hightower finished the day with an amazing 244 all-purpose yards. Conner went 12-for-24 for 161 yards and a pair of scoring strikes, but he also tossed three interceptions. Ryan Roach was his favorite target hauling in 66 yards on two catches, each resulting in a score. Kyle Chewning continued his dominating defensive effort by recording 21 tackles, including five solo stops. He had a tackle for a loss and a fumble recovery. Joel Byars also had a strong performance with 10 tackles that included a sack and a tackle for a loss.

The Scots will return to action next Saturday when they travel to Rocky Mount, North Carolina to challenge USA South foe North Carolina Wesleyan College.