Averett's Anthony Terry returned a punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to lift the Cougars to a 14-7 win over LaGrange at Homecoming 2012 on Saturday at Callaway Stadium. The win was the first of the season for the Cougars (1-4, 1-1 USA South), while the Panthers slipped to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

The loss spoiled a great effort by the LaGrange defense. The defense held the Cougars to 205 yards of total offense and one score. Junior linebacker Andre Carter had a game-high 12 tackles, including three for losses.

The Panthers had held a 7-0 lead since the first quarter. Nick Simmons finished a short 22-yard drive with a 14-yard run with 2:49 left in the quarter.

On their next possession, the Panthers drove the ball inside Averett territory. The drive ended as quarterback Ed Russ fumbled at the end of a 16-yard run.

Averett threatened with a drive starting at the end of the third quarter. The Cougars' drive ended on an interception by Anthony Cochran at the Panthers' 8-yard line three minutes into the fourth quarter.

The momentum changed on the next two plays. Michael May's only pass attempt of the game was intercepted by Calvin Williams and returned to the Panthers' 18. Nathan Driver went around the left side on the first play after the turnover for the tying touchdown.

The Averett defense stopped the Panthers on their ensuing possession. Terry gathered in Drake Nahrwold's punt at his own 25-yard line, broke back to the far sidelines and completed the 75-yard touchdonw return to put the Cougars up 14-7 with 8:53 remaining.

The Panthers next two possessions ended in turnovers. Ed Russ was intercepted by Zachary Grkman both times. Grkman's second interception came after the Panthers had reached the Cougars' 41-yard line with two minutes remaining.

The two teams combined for 16 punts in the game. Narwold punted eight times for a 36.8 yard average. He had a career-long 63-yard punt in the second quarter to pin the Cougars' inside their own 10-yard line.

The Panthers continue USA Sout play next week at Christopher Newport. Game time is 7 p.m.