Averett took advantage of LaGrange miscues in a 38-14 USA South win Saturday in Callaway Stadium. The Panthers dropped to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Averett (3-1, 2-0 USA South) stopped one Panther drive with an interception in the end zone and another interception before the end of the first half helped the Cougars open up a 17-7 lead. Averett built a 38-7 lead in the second half before the Panthers scored in the final seconds.

Cam Perkins was 15-of-21 for 145 yards and two interceptions. Alex Scott three for 102 yards, while Caleb Speir threw his first collegiate touchdown pass for the final score of the game. Scott led the rushing game with 53 yards on eight carries.

The Cougars led 3-0 after a Cole Westberry 31-yard field goal. Perkins guided the Panthers 69 yards in nine plays to take a 7-3 lead. Drew Lewiski finished the drive with a 13-yard run around left side with 4:23 left in the half. The game turned on the ensuing kickoff. Bradley Jefferson returned the kickoff 91 yards for an apparent touchdown, but was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, giving the Cougars the ball on the Panthers' 25-yard line. Two plays later, Jacob Wright found Oran Davis in the end zone for the first of his four touchdown passes. Perkins was intercepted on the next possession and Averett scored in just two plays with Wright a 29-yard touchdown for a 17-7 lead.

Wright threw two more TD passes in the third quarter to extend Averett's lead to 31-7. Trailing 38-7, the Panthers put together a 9-play 81-yard scoring drive. Speir finished the drive with a 21-yard strike to Reyshawn Wells for the 38-14 final.

Nick Searcy led the LC defense with 10 total tackles. Tre'Mon Moore had seven total tackles, including three for losses.

The Panthers go on the road to face Greensboro next Saturday in a USA South game.