Hornets fall short against Averett

Daily Staff Report

DANVILLE -- Shenandoah University lost yet another close game.

The Hornets rallied from a 15-point fourth quarter deficit, but still came up short, 24-22, to Averett on Saturday in USA South Conference football action.

Shenandoah trailed 24-9 to start the fourth quarter, but scored two touchdowns to cut into the lead.

SU quarterback Vern Lunsford's 6-yard TD run on the first play of the fourth quarter cut the lead to 24-16.

On the Hornets' final drive of the game, Lunsford led the team 87 yards on 11 plays. Lunsford's 15-yard pass to Brandon Hayes capped off the drive with 18 seconds left in the game. Lunsford's pass attempt on the two-point conversion fell incomplete.

Shenandoah (1-7, 0-5 USA South) has now lost its last six games by a combined total of 20 points.

Lunsford set a school-record with 232 yards passing and two touchdowns. Keone Kyle had 154 yards rushing on 31 attempts for the Hornets. Rico Wallace had six receptions for 81 yards, while E.J. Brown had four catches for 73 yards.