3 takeaways from South Alabama's 25-9 win over Troy in Battle for the Belt

The Belt is back in Mobile thanks to South Alabama's 25-9 victory over Troy on Tuesday night at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

The Jaguars (3-4, 2-1 Sun Belt Conference) won the Battle for the Belt for the first time in seven years and defeated the Trojans (1-6, 0-3) for the second time in Mobile and the first time in their campus residence, which opened in 2020. South Alabama's defense came through and held Troy to just 158 ​​yards of total offense.

South Alabama will receive an 11-day break before continuing its three-game home stretch on Oct. 26 against Louisiana-Monroe. Before that, here are three takeaways from the Jaguars’ decisive victory in the 13th “Battle for the Belt”:

1. The offense wasn't great, but it didn't have to be

The Jaguars scored both touchdowns within a 5-minute stretch in the second quarter, using a short field after an interception for one of them. Otherwise, it was a pretty dull effort from the Jaguars, who were once again plagued by penalties and largely struggled to move the ball against a solid Troy defense. Gio Lopez made a few pinpoint throws, including a 24-yard strike to Jeremiah Webb for the Jaguars' first touchdown. He ran for 49 yards on fourth-and-2, one play after running 21 yards on third-and-23. But given the way South Alabama's defense played against an anemic Troy offense, the Jaguars didn't need much in the way of yards or points. And with important games coming up against ULM and Georgia Southern — both of which are currently in first place — perhaps it's for the best that South Alabama didn't have to reveal the entire playbook.

2. The defense controlled the action and played its best game of the year

Again, Troy struggled a lot on offense – especially on the offensive line and at quarterback, but South Alabama set the tone on defense early. The Jaguars didn't allow a first down until late in the second quarter and didn't allow Troy to reach 100 yards of total offense until the fourth quarter. South Alabama also didn't allow a play of more than 18 yards all night. The Jaguars came away with three sacks and three interceptions, including one by Jaden Voisin that set up the first touchdown and one by Lardarius Webb that led to a field goal. South Alabama has been strong defensively in all three conference games and can continue to do so heading into the home stretch of the season. Defensive coordinator Will Windham had some struggles early in the season, but deserves credit for the way this unit has developed to the point where it is at least no longer a liability.

3. Troy fell hard and fast from last year's championship squad

A team that has won 23 games and two conference championships over the past two seasons is now among the worst at the major college level, with its only win this season coming against an FCS team and likely not another win for the foreseeable future Time. Some growing pains were to be expected under first year coach Gerad Parker due to the staff losses, but I'm not sure anyone expected it to have fallen so far so quickly. The Trojans play hard and play well on defense – they had 14 tackles for loss on Tuesday – but can't establish a consistent threat on offense. There have been quarterback issues all year, and one has to wonder how this season would have been different if Week 1 starter Goose Crowder had stayed healthy. But right now, the Trojans' offense relies almost entirely on getting the ball downfield to wide receiver Devonte Ross, who has scored nine of his 16 touchdowns this season. The Trojans are probably looking at 2-10 at best this season, and that's assuming they finish the season with a win against a Southern Miss team that may have already made a coaching change.

Next: South Alabama hosts ULM (5-1, 3-0) on Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. This game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.