WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University committed a season-high six turnovers in an 18-0 USA South Conference football loss to league leader Averett University Saturday night at Shentel Stadium.

Averett (6-2, 5-0 USA South) set itself up for a title-clinching contest next week at Christopher Newport University with the win. If AU defeats CNU at POMOCO Stadium next Saturday afternoon, the Cougars will represent the USA South in the NCAA playoffs no matter the result of its season finale against Maryville.

If Christopher Newport wins, the Captains and Cougars would be tied atop the league standings with identical 5-1 marks heading into the final week. CNU hosts Ferrum in the regular season finale.

Averett earned its first-ever victory at Shentel by forcing two fumbles and picking off Shenandoah (2-6, 1-4) quarterback Blake Derby on four different occasions.

AU scored 14 points off of the six miscues and two of the turnovers (one interception and one interception) came as the Hornets entered the Cougars red zone.

SU also had a chance to draw first blood in the contest, but missed a 22-yard field goal after driving 50 yards in 11 plays by the 2:45 mark of the first quarter.

Averett scored all of the points it would need with 13:44 to play in the second quarter when backup quarterback Shan Fairbanks hit Anthony Squillini with an 11-yard TD pass. They scored again with 1:51 to play in the second before Kyle Wilson capped the evening's with a 6-yard TD run with 8:14 to play.

On each occasion, the Cougars missed the PAT. They attempted to go for two after the second score, but quarterback Todd Parsons' pass was short.

Averett had 316 yards in total offense to the Hornets 229 with Parsons and Fairbanks combining for a 15 for 29 performance through the air that included 188 yards and the TD pass to Squillini.

Senior Brandon Lacey led SU with 78 yards on 10 carries with Paul Diggs adding 74 on 14 touches.

Shenandoah travels to Maryville next week for its final road game of the 2006 season.