The Anderson Hall victory bell rang after being silenced for seven seasons, as the Fighting Scots of Maryville College earned their first Homecoming victory since 2004 with a 45-22 win over Averett University in front of a capacity crowd in Lloyd L. Thornton Stadium.
Freshman quarterback Melvin Burston rushed for 98 yards while connecting on 10-of-15 pass attempts for an additional 111 yards to pace MC’s offense.
With the score tied at 0-0 after the first period, Maryville used their first drive of the second quarter to take the lead. A 42 yard pass from Burston to Wesley Idlette and a 14 yard dash by Burston put Maryville on the doorstep. Burston connected with junior tight end Tim Foster in the corner of the end zone for a seven yard score to put MC on the scoreboard. MC’s kick was blocked and the score stood at 6-0 after the seven play, 74 yard drive.
Averett answered in their next possession. Ke’Von White finished a 10 play, 67 yards drive with a 26 yard scamper down the left sideline for a score. Patrick Reed hit the point after and the Cougars took the lead 7-6.
The Scots did not take long to answer and regain the lead. A pass to Paul Costanzo and a 33 yard rush by Blake Williams put MC deep in Averett territory. Burston broke free into the secondary and scored on a 20 yard run. Andrew Noboa’s kick was good and Maryville took the lead 13-7.
The teams would enter the Homecoming halftime presentation with the Scots leading by one score.
A personal foul, one of 27 combined penalties for over 220 yards, put Maryville with the ball on the 50 yard line to begin the third quarter. A pass to Ryan Roach and a pair of runs by Burston put Maryville on the Cougar’s nine yard line. Burston lofted the ball once again to Foster who hauled in his second career touchdown with a spectacular catch. The PAT was good and MC extended their lead to 20-7.
MC’s Jacob Berwind intercepted the Cougar quarterback deep in Averett territory on the visitor’s next possession. Paul Costanzo promptly darted for the end zone from four yards out to make the score 26-7.
Maryville added to their lead after three consecutive possessions stalled. Andrew Noboa split the uprights from 29 yards away to make the score 29-7.
Averett put together a long drive on their next possession but a stingy MC defense held the Cougars on the one yard line.
MC’s next possession pushed the ball to the ten yard line. On a high snap, punter R.J. Sandmeyer took a safety to make the score 29-9.
Averett attempted to ride the momentum with a quick scoring strike on their next possession. Kirkland Brown hit Anthony Terry for a 76 yard score. Reed’s kick made the score 29-16.
The Scots next scored happened when Averett’s long snapper misconnected with their punter for a 29 yard loss and Mc was awarded a safety to make the score 31-16.
A 24 yard Burston dash, a host of Averett personal fouls and a Costanzo two-yard plunge capped MC next 4 play, 47 yard scoring drive. Noboa’s kick made it 38-16.
The Scots defense stalled Averett’s next drive and a poor punt put MC in scoring range once again. A 16 yard pass from Jake Crawford to Karim Harris on 4th down put Maryville on the Cougar 16 yard line. Chad Brooks took the next play 16 yards to the house to finish MC’s scoring.
Averett put together a final scoring drive of 7 plays and 49 yards. Mike Luna finished the drive with a 14 yard scoring jaunt. As Reed’s kick failed, Maryville fans erupted with joy for the 45-22 Homecoming victory.
Averett (2-5, 1-3 USA South) finished with 136 yards of total rushing led by Ke’Von White’s 105 yards. Averett’s three signal callers finished 20-for-39 in the air for 210 yards passing. Terry Anthony hauled in six passes for 127 yards.
Maryville (2-5, 2-2 USA South) had 305 yards of total offense. Alex Anderson led the defense with a dozen total tackles. Kane Crowell and Jamie Owen each tallied 10 total stops.
The Scots will travel next week to Rocky Mount, North Carolina for another USA South Challenge against North Carolina Wesleyan College.

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