BRIDGEWATER, Va. - The Bridgewater College football program is set to host Averett on Saturday in ODAC action as part of the homecoming weekend festivities.

When: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Where: Bridgewter, Va.
Stadium: The Stadium at The Jopson Athletic Complex
Kickoff: 2:00 pm 
Gameday Forecast: Sunny, 78F
        5% Chance of rain
Series Record: Bridgewater leads 4-0

SCOUTING THE COUGARS: Averett enters Saturday's matchup off of a 35-0 shutout loss at the hands of Washington & Lee on Saturday to open ODAC play. AU started the season with back-to-back wins over USA South schools N.C. Wesleyan and Greensboro, but has been outscored 71-10 in their last two games and has not scored a touchdown in their last 72 minutes of gameplay. 

AVERETT HEAD COACH:  Patrick Henry is in his fifth season at the helm of the AU program and has been a staple of the program since 2012. Henry has coached just about every position group during his tenure as an assistant in Danville before being named the head coach in March of 2020. Henry's squad has finished at 5-5 twice, but is still in search of his first winning season nd the program's first since a 7-3 finish in 2019 under the current Ferrum AD Cleive Adams. 

I AM BATE-MAN: Bridgewater's starting quarterback Jaicere Bateman had not found the endzone in his rookie season, but has exploded in a big way so far in his sophomore season. The reigning ODAC Offensive Player of the Week had his best game of the season statistically in just three quarters of play in Ferrum last Saturday hurling for 345 yards and accounting for four total touchdowns, two by air and two on the ground. Saturday's game marked Bateman's third consecutive game with three or more total touchdowns.

SPECIAL TEAM MATTER: BC kicker Jack Hendren was named the ODAC Special Teams player of the Week for the second time this season after his performance in Saturday's victory over Ferrum. The senior nailed a pair of field goals in th victory including a season-long 35 yarder. Hendren also went 4-for-4 on PATs for the second straight game and executed a successful surprise onside kick. Special teams has been described as the Eagles' edge since Scott Lemn took over the helm of the program and this year has been no different. BC ranks in the top 10 in both kickoff and punt return yardage with Brendnan Robinson and Tate Leach respectively. The kickoff defense is also worth the highlight as Bridgewater ranks 69th nationally allowing just under 17 yards per return. 

THE THIRD DOWN BATTLE: The Eagles efficiency on third down has went under the radar up to this point in the 2024 season. Bridgewater ranks 30th nationally in third-down conversion percentage as the offense is converting 49.1% of the time. The BC defense is also making a name for itself on third down as the Darkside is 48th in Div. III with opponents converting 30.9% of the time. Averett has not had the best start to the season on third down. AU is converting at a 36.7% mark offensively, but the defense is holding opponents to a 32.5% clip.

THE COACHING CAROUSEL: Over the offseason, Tim Reynolds departed the Bridgewater football program to become the offensive coordinator at Averett. The Cougars sit in the middle of the pack in total offense in Reynolds' first season in Danville and rank next-to-last in the ODAC in scoring, however; AU quarterback Ethan Ross ranks 63rd nationally and third in the ODAC in passing efficiency under the leadership of the former Ferrum standout. 

HOMECOMING: This weekend is homecoming at Bridgewater College. BC is happy to welcome alumni and families back to campus for an exciting weekend. Bridgewater football is squaring off against Averett on homecoming for the second time after picking up a 23-16 victory over the Cougars in 2022.

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Eagles and Cougars have tangled just four times in the history of the two schools. BC has won all four of the previous meetings including the two as conference opponents and with the current head coaching matchup. BC has outscored AU 154-87 in the series and set the highest margin of victory in a 53-24 win in Danville last season.