South Alabama ended its 2023 regular season with a 52-44 loss at Texas State on Saturday night, leaving the Jaguars 6-6 overall and 4-4 in Sun Belt Conference play.

The Jaguars fell behind 24-0 and 31-6 in the first half in San Marcos, Texas, but rallied to within one score twice in the second half before falling short. South Alabama gave up the most points it had allowed since a 55-13 loss to Oklahoma State in 2018.

RELATED: South Alabama falls far behind early, loses 52-44 at Texas State

South Alabama will play again in 2023, in a to-be-determined bowl game some time in December. Before that, here are 5 takeaways from the shootout loss to the Bobcats:

1. Early breakdowns resulted in enormous deficit

The failure was across the board early for South Alabama, which gave up a defensive touchdown on a turnover, another on an explosive passing play and another on a kickoff return (plus an onside kick that led to a field goal). The results were deficits of 24-0 and 31-6, from which the Jaguars were unable to come all the way back. The same thing happened (albeit in not as extreme a fashion) in previous losses to Tulane, James Madison and Louisiana.

2. South Alabama was minus some major offensive weapons

La’Damian Webb, the Jaguars’ all-time leading rusher, missed the game entirely with a toe injury. Left tackle Jordan Davis (knee) also sat out, as did backup running back Kentrel Bullock. In the third quarter came the most crucial injury, when starting quarterback Carter Bradley reinjured his left knee and did not return. It will be interesting to see which of those players might be able to return for a bowl game.

3. Desmond Trotter, others stepped up in relief

With Bradley out, Trotter played arguably the best football of his career. The sixth-year senior threw four touchdown passes despite playing less than two full quarters, and looked as capable and confident running the South Alabama offense as he has in his career. Should Bradley be unable to go in a bowl game, Trotter showed Saturday he can be a winning player if needed. Tight end DJ Thomas-Jones, running back Braylon McReynolds and wide receiver Javon Ivory were also players who performed well in expanded roles.

4. Two-point decision in third quarter was a head-scratcher

South Alabama was playing catch-up all night long, but an unnecessary risk in the third quarter made the deficit more difficult to try and overcome. The Jaguars went for two rather than kicking an extra point after cutting the Texas State lead to 38-30 in the third quarter, but failed and had to chase that point all night. When the Jaguars got within 45-36 in the final four minutes, the game was essentially over when they failed on that two-point attempt. Kane Wommack has been very aggressive going for it fourth down and going for two in his career, but it seems like he got ahead of himself on Saturday.

5. Loss will hurt Jaguars in bowl pecking order

South Alabama had a chance to secure a winning season and secure sole possession of second place in the Sun Belt West Division for the second straight year on Saturday, but the loss dropped the Jaguars back to .500 and into the middle of the postseason pack. There are 12 bowl-eligible teams in the Sun Belt and all will get spots somewhere, but a 7-5 South Alabama team would have been much more desirable for bowl representatives than a 6-6 finisher.

Next up: South Alabama awaits bowl pairings, which will be announced on Dec. 3.