Box Score

 Smith returned a punt 63 yards for the Bullets’ first touchdown in the game’s opening minutes, then went end zone-to-end zone on a 102-yard kickoff return midway through the second quarter, helping Gettysburg (2-2) take a 24-3 lead and snap a two-game losing streak. He also collected one of the Bullets’ four interceptions on the afternoon, the first of his collegiate career.

 The Gettysburg defense did its part in the victory, recording eight sacks to go along with the four interceptions while holding the Cougars (1-2) to 17 rushing yards. Defensive tackle Chris Hrynczyszyn (Bensalem, PA/Conwell-Egan Catholic) led the squad with a team-high seven tackles, setting single-game career highs for sacks (3) and tackles for loss (4.5).

 Averett quarterback Scott Swann completed 17 of 38 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted three times and suffered all eight sacks. Swann found Jeremy Rankin on a two-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left in the first half that cut the lead to 24-10.

 The Bullet defense needed only two plays to start setting up Gettysburg scoring drives.

 John Young (Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) dropped James Jones for a three-yard loss on the Cougars’ first play from scrimmage and Matt Zangrilli (Wallingford, PA/Strath Haven) followed by intercepting Swann’s first passing attempt to set up the Bullet offense at its own 42.

 Nick Nocar (Baltimore, MD/Gilman) ripped off 40 yards on Gettysburg’s first play of the drive, leading to Sam Shipley’s (Rahway, NJ/Rahway) 26-yard field goal for a quick 3-0 lead.

 Hrynczyszyn and Matt Pinkney (Bowie, MD/Bowie) stopped Tracey Smithers for a seven-yard loss on the first play of Averett’s next drive to put the Cougars in a second-and-17 hole, forcing Sean Sullivan to punt two plays later.

 Smith, whose previous long punt return was 13 yards, collected Sullivan’s 35-yard boot at the Gettysburg 37 and got loose down the right sideline for a 63-yard touchdown return and a 10-0 Bullet advantage with 9:29 left in the first quarter.

 Following consecutive sacks by Pinkney and Young, the Bullets took over at the Cougar 41 and needed six plays to score their first offensive touchdown of the day.

 Pete Vincelli (Oceanport, NJ/Shore Regional) reeled off back-to-back nine-yard runs and an Averett personal foul gave Gettysburg a first-and-10 on the 12. Four plays later, Mike Lublanecki (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) scored his first touchdown of the season from five yards out on fourth-and-3 to make it 17-0 with 28 seconds left in the opening quarter.

 The Cougars got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter when Sullivan hammered home a 47-yard field goal to cap a 15-play, 64-yard drive extended by a roughing-the-punter penalty.

 Smith needed exactly 16 seconds to provide Gettysburg’s answer, fielding Sullivan’s kickoff two yards deep in his own end zone and breaking free down the left sideline for a 102-yard touchdown and a 24-3 lead.

 The Cougars marched 69 yards on nine plays at the end of the half to pull within 24-10. Swann completed 5 of 8 passes for all 69 yards on the drive, including a 25-yard pass to Jones down to the Bullet 2 and a two-yard scoring strike to Rankin with five seconds left in the half.

 Both teams traded punts in a scoreless third quarter before Gettysburg erupted for three fourth-quarter touchdowns to seal the win.

 Backup quarterback Joe Gossweiler (Florham Park, NJ/Hanover Park) went 38 yards on an option keeper to open his third series under center, then found Gentris Bryant (Wilmington, DE/Archmere) on a 29-yard touchdown pass to make it 31-10 with 13:30 left.

 Chris Jordan (Bethesda, MD/Gonzaga) returned a Swann interception 35 yards to the Averett 3 to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Mike Schwalb (Bernardsville, NJ/Pingry School).

 Smith picked off Swann on the Cougars’ next possession and freshman Matt Cardillo (Yorktown Heights, NY/Yorktown) capped the scoring with his first collegiate touchdown from three yards out.

 Pinkney finished with seven tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on the afternoon. Matt Klein (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow) recorded his first collegiate interception in the game’s closing minutes. The Bullets recorded 16 tackles for loss on the game.

 Anthony Morris led Averett with eight tackles (7 solo) while Jones carried 11 times for a team-best 52 yards.

 Gettysburg returns to action on Friday at Johns Hopkins. Game time is 7 p.m.