Defense delivers in clutch this time and O-line dominates | UL Ragin’ Cajuns

1. Pure gutsy victory

It wasn’t always pretty and South Alabama was big and physical on both sides of the ball. But a very determined bunch of Cajuns refused to give in. Yes, they got a season-high 10 flags and that complicated some drives in the second half, potentially leading to disaster. In the end, though, UL’s offensive line imposed its will on the Jaguars for most of the game, rushing for 312 yards and 13 first downs. The entire game was illustrated by Steven Blanco’s bulldozer 14-yard run into the teeth of the defense after two procedure flags put the offense behind the sticks. On the next play, Lunch Winfield iced the win with a first-down run.

2. Lunch’s journey

You could just see the relief in Lunch Winfield when it appeared he had thrown an interception late in the first half after already throwing a pick-six. The signal of an incomplete pass was given and the replay confirmed. It was only his second incompletion of the first half in 10 tries, but more trouble was the last thing he needed. Earlier this season, coach Michael Desormeaux said there would be a game when UL’s hopes would be on Winfield’s legs. Saturday’s win was that game. Winfield ran harder, ran over more defenders and broke more tackles than he had all season. He did it because he felt a little better after the bye week and because his team needed it – desperately. He finished with 97 yards rushing and 147 passing in the win.

3. Defense delivers

Like the offense with the interception and the penalties, it wasn’t a perfect game for the defense by any means. After UL got up 28-17 late in the third quarter, the defense allowed South Alabama to go 89 yards in two plays. That stuff has to stop happening – just like the other team scoring six times with UL’s offense on the field. But this time the defense did come up with the big play when Micah Johnson’s interception saved the day. Quarterback Bishop Davenport hadn’t played in six games and the defense had to adjust to his skill set on the run. The defense limited a powerful rushing attack to 159 yards. It forced four punt and got an interception. That matched up well with UL’s offense eating up 31:37 on the clock.