The good times didn’t last for South Alabama.

A week after pummeling Oklahoma State on the road, the Jaguars flopped at home in a 34-30 loss to Central Michigan at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Saturday. The Jaguars blew a 14-0 first-quarter lead and allowed the game-winning touchdown with 13 seconds remaining.

RELATED: South Alabama falls to Central Michigan 34-30 on late touchdown

South Alabama finishes up non-conference play at 2-2, and begins its Sun Belt schedule next week at unbeaten James Madison. Before that, here are 5 takeaways from the Jaguars’ stunning home loss to the Chippewas:

1. Inconsistency remains hobgoblin for South Alabama program

After last week’s 33-7 win in Stillwater, it seemed like the Jaguars might finally be taking the next step under third-year head coach Kane Wommack. Yet on Saturday, South Alabama made the kinds of mistakes you wouldn’t expect of a team with this much experience on its roster and on the coaching staff. Throughout their 15-season history, the Jaguars have been the type of team that has not thrived under the spotlight. That was true again Saturday after South Alabama had been receiving positive national attention all week.

2. Jaguars fade quickly after fast start

It didn’t appear to be a situation of South Alabama “reading its own press clippings,” however, as the Jaguars played arguably perfect football for the first 12 minutes of Saturday’s game. They scored with little resistance on their first two possessions and held Central Michigan without a first down on its first two series. Something changed after that, though, as the Jaguars not only had trouble stopping Chippewas quarterback Jase Bauer — who accounted for five touchdowns in the game — but went into an offensive lull for nearly two quarters. By the time they recovered, Central Michigan was up by two scores.

3. Not enough big defensive plays for Jaguars

South Alabama had no takeaways Saturday for the first time all year, and simply could not get off the field when it mattered most. The Jaguars tackled as poorly as they have all season, particularly when the admittedly burly Bauer had the ball in his hands. He was a Tim Tebow-esque wrecking ball in the red zone and broke away from at least two sacks in the pocket. One of them — which looked like an almost-certain sack for Trey Kiser — resulted in a 70-yard touchdown pass. Then there was the incredibly ill-timed unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Quentin Wilfawn in the final minute, which turned fourth-and-5 at the 35 into first-and-10 at the 20. Central Michigan scored the winning touchdown three plays later.

4. Caullin Lacy continues to be offensive difference-maker

Lacy, a junior from Mobile, has taken his game to another level early this season. He had touchdowns of 35 and 72 yards on Saturday, adding them to scores of 84, 39 and 57 yards in the previous two games. He also had a 21-yard punt return Saturday to help set up the Jaguars’ final touchdown. Lacy’s production has been particularly key since fellow receiver Devin Voisin was lost for the season with a knee injury two weeks ago. Through four games, he has 26 receptions for 435 yards (nearly 17 per catch) with five touchdowns.

5. South Alabama still has major opportunities in Sun Belt play

It’s a cliché, but also true, to say that nothing is yet lost for South Alabama — except for maybe a shot at a New Year’s Six Bowl, though that almost certainly went out the window with a 20-point loss to Tulane in Week 1. The Jaguars have eight games remaining, all against Sun Belt Conference opponents. Thus, they still have a chance to equal last year’s 10-2 regular-season record, and also win their first Sun Belt championship. The road will certainly be a tough one — including games at James Madison and Troy — and the Jaguars must play with more consistency than they have early this season if they are going to be champions.

Next up: South Alabama travels to face James Madison (4-0, 1-0 Sun Belt) at 11 a.m. Saturday. The game will be televised live by ESPNU.