The Guilford College football team made the short trip across the Virginia/North Carolina state line to face Averett University. Defense and special teams prove vital as Guilford was victorious, 26-0.

The win snaps an 18-conference game losing streak as well as the first shutout since October 1, 2016 when GC defeated Catholic, 59-0.

In the game, the defense forced five Averett turnovers including four interceptions with two by Trsitian Bailey. As a team, the Quakers held the Cougars to 247 totals yards (192 passing and 55 rushing).

On the first drive, the Guilford offense struggled to move the ball and punted the ball to Averett. The Cougars began to move the ball down the field and seemed to have a couple of scoring opportunities but penalties brought the plays back. 

Facing a 4th-and-9, Averett attempted a 36-yard field goal but Montrel Cooper crept up to the line and blocked the kick. Adam Lacy picked up the loose ball and returned it to the GC 17 to set up the offense.

A loss on first down followed by a false start forced the Quakers to punt the ball back to the Cougars. Averett started on its own 48 but were unable to pick up a first down. On the punt, Weston Setzer came up the middle and blocked the kick as Guilford recovered at the Cougar 20.

Despite not being able to move the chains, Cameron Haiduven was able to provide a spark for GC. The junior kicker made a 34-yard field goal for the 3-0 lead with 4:39 remaining in the first.

From then, both defensive squads stood tall. The Quakers threatened early in the second as Bailey Baker found Brodey King at the one-yard line but the ball was stripped from the tight end as Averett was able to recover the loose ball.

Guilford's defense continued its excellent play in the first half and forced another punt. Starting at the GC 20 with 5:38 left in the first half, Baker and the offense went to work. The quarterback connected on with Tre Alexander on back-to-back completions to the Averett 42.

Baker and Thomas Laws made connections on the next two passes to cover 19 yards for another first down. After a incompletion, Baker found Alexander for a pick third down pickup to set up first and goal at the eight. On the very next play, Baker completed the pass to Eric Mays in the endzone for the score. After a successful point after, Guilford led 10-0 with 2:55 to go.

The next drive for the Cougars started to move the ball but DJ McRae intercepted the ball and returned it to the AU 40. The Quakers moved the ball and were poised to strike and they seemed to score on a pass from Baker to Alexander but a pass interference moved the ball back. 

Eventually, Haiduven was called upon to kick a 33-yard field goal and was successful. At the half, Guilford led 13-0 over the Cougars.

In the second half, the defensive stronghold continued. Averett took the opening kick and drove down field to the Quaker 25 but the GC defense held the hosts to a field goal attempt. The 41-yard field goal attempt missed to the left as the score remained 13-0.

Guilford's offense took the field for the first time in the second half and picked up where it left off in the first. Baker led a six-play drive covering 75 yards capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Eric Mays. The extra point was no good as GC led 19-0 with 9:48 to go in the third.

Both teams exchanged turnovers and punts until the 3:35 mark when Bailey intercepted a pass and returned it 24 yards for the pick-six. Haiduven's extra point was good as GC led 26-0.

The defense preserved the shutout over the final 18:35 of game action as the Quakers won by the 26-point margin. The win is the first in the conference since October of 2019 and the first road conference win since October 2017.

Offensively, Baker threw for 289 yards on 21 completions with two touchdowns and an interception. Alexander led the receiving core with 98 yards on five receptions while Mays caught seven passes for 63 yards and two scores.

Guilford returns home for the final game of the season as it will face Bridgewater College on Saturday, November 12 for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.