The Columbus Aviators were back on the road Friday, traveling to St. Louis to take on the Battlehawks at the Dome at America’s Center. St. Louis took a 24-7 lead to the locker room at the half and held on for a 31-20 home win. Here are our three takeaways from Friday’s contest:

1.    After giving up 44 points in their second-week loss to the DC Defenders, the Aviators’ defense has given up just 16.5 points a game over the last four weeks. On Friday, they expected to do well again, facing a St. Louis team that was starting a new quarterback in veteran Luis Perez and that had rushed for just 59 yards last week in a 16-3 win at Louisville. How did the Planes allow 24 points in the first half?

2.   Perez, who has played eight spring football campaigns, came to the Battlehawks from Dallas where he had not seen the field so far this season. Despite leading the UFL in passing the last two years, he managed only 204 yards against Columbus Friday. The problem for the Aviators was that the 204 yards came on a number of big plays that moved the Battlehawks into scoring position, most of which went to Hakeem Butler. Butler was the UFL’s offensive player of the year in 2024.

3.   The other problems for the Aviators came because of bad field position, mostly caused by special team mistakes, and a fluky long run that become longer after a forced fumble was picked up and taken deep into Columbus territory. Worst of all was committing 14 penalties for 115 yards and an inexplicable decision to go for a single extra point, which was missed, when down by 11 in the fourth quarter. A two or three-point conversion would have made it a one-score game. Hmm.