Rapid Reaction: What we learned from the ULM game

Despite having a 14-point lead after barely two minutes of game time and leading by 24 twice in the third quarter, there was no relaxing against Bryant Vincent's ULM team. The Warhawks refused to be cowed no matter the score and kept coming back against the Jaguars. But good, bad or ugly, a win is a win and sitting at 3-2 and 1-0 in conference is a nice place to be.

The best and the worst of the team were on display in the 52-35 win, so there was plenty to learn. Let's see what stood out.

The offense is very different when Hollins plays instead of Davenport

When Bishop Davenport is piloting the offense, the emphasis is on the running game while Major Applewhite calls a different game when Jared Hollins is in to feature his outstanding arm talent. With Davenport at times functioning as a primary ball carrier, the games are shortened but the really big explosive plays are less abundant than when Hollins is putting it deep. The ULM defense focused their efforts on stopping PJ Martin, Keenan Phillips and Trae'von Dunbar and that led to Hollins hitting his receivers way down the field again and again. Both incarnations of the Jaguar offense are effective in their own way, but pose very different challenges for the defense.

My kingdom for a sure tackle

ULM came in averaging a league-worst 21.3 points per game, but had the South Alabama defense on their heels for several stretches of the game. Countless times a Warhawk was met by one or more would-be tacklers in the backfield, at the line of scrimmage or down the field and managed to get loose for additional yards. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando's defense takes chances by sending blitzers from various positions, leaving other defenders with heightened responsibilities to prevent explosive gains. Tackling simply must get better or the Jaguars will find themselves in shootouts every single week.

What's the deal with kickoffs?

Like many college football teams, the Jaguars lack a kicker that can bury the ball in the end zone on every kickoff, so they try to hem in the returner by putting the ball near the corner made by the sideline and the goal line. The wet ball and field no doubt made this precision work more difficult, but the abundance of kickoffs going out of bounds so far this season is getting a little maddening. Three kickers have attempted kickoffs this year with varying results. Dylan Freebury has gotten the most opportunities and therefore we'll look to him as the most likely candidate to develop the consistency we need to keep the ball inbounds while still forcing opposing returners into uncomfortable situations. At least Davis Little seems to have put his past struggles behind him and looks dependable on his extra points and field goals.

Playtime is over

ULM is almost certainly the weakest team in the Sun Belt. That made them the perfect choice to get the conference portion of the schedule off to a good start, but things will get much tougher with trips to Arkansas State and Marshall coming up next. With Major Applewhite calling the plays the offense looks like it is capable of scoring at a winning pace, but the defense will have to start pulling its weight. There are several injured players on that side of the ball who should start becoming available in the near future. Hopefully one or more of them can help improve the overall performance of the stop troops.

Give this group a hand

For the second time in three weeks, the hands team on kick returns did their job very well and stopped Ohio and ULM from attempting miraculous comebacks. Despite the justified complaints over kickoffs and punting consistency, coach Tommy Perry has been a great addition to the staff.