In retrospect, the lowest point of Quentin Wilfawn’s South Alabama football career helped turn his season around.

During the latter stages of South Alabama’s game with Central Michigan on Sept. 23, Wilfawn was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after arguing with an official who did not call what he believed should have been a foul on an opposing lineman. The penalty gave the Chippewas a first down instead of what would have been fourth-and-7 at the USA 35, and they later scored a touchdown to win 34-30.

It was a crushing moment for Wilfawn and for the Jaguars, and potentially the difference between having a winning record right now and a losing one. South Alabama is 4-5 overall, 2-3 in the Sun Belt heading into Saturday’s home game with Arkansas State (5-4, 3-2).

“That night, he’ll be the first to tell you he probably let his anger get the best of him,” South Alabama linebackers coach Wes Windham said. “… He knew he made a mistake and he came right away and apologized and he apologized to the guys. It was one of those things where he knew he made a mistake; we all knew he made a mistake.

“Obviously, there’s some accountability for those mistakes. And unfortunately for us, the accountability was a loss that happened soon thereafter. So that’s probably the hardest thing that he had to face.”

Since that particularly low moment, however, Wilfawn has been playing at the top of his game. Through nine games, the 6-foot-1, 257-pound senior from Oxford, Miss., leads the Jaguars in tackles (61), tackles for loss (10.5) and is tied for the team lead in sacks (3).

Wilfawn has posted dominant outings the last two weeks, totaling 15 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack against Louisiana on Oct. 28 and then 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a sack vs. Troy. After using him exclusively outside during the first seven games of the season, the Jaguars have begun utilizing Wilfawn as a hybrid linebacker, moving him inside and out so that he can attack ballcarriers from a variety of positions.

“They’re letting me get a lot of looks, a lot of matchups helping the D line in the pass rush from inside and outside, fitting the run inside and outside,” Wilfawn said. “I really enjoy it because it’s not a set position. I get to have a lot more freedom doing this. And it lets me use the skills I’ve learned from both positions and put them together in one. It’s really fun and I enjoy it.”

He’s done all that while continuing to play with controlled passion, playing with “his hair on fire,” in the words of South Alabama defensive coordinator Corey Batoon. As Wilfawn noted after the Troy game and again this week, his college career — perhaps his football career — is coming to an end.

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Before he goes, however, Kane Wommack and the South Alabama staff chose to give him the program’s ultimate in-season honor. He will wear the No. 5 jersey on Saturday, a privilege given each week to one Jaguars player in remembrance of Anthony Mostella, a South Alabama running back killed in a 2010 motorcycle accident.

“It’s special,” Wilfawn said. “It’s the first time I’ve had it since they started doing it. (Wommack) mentioned when he handed the jersey to me, the mistake I made against Central Michigan. I think that’s played a big part this year into helping me grow, because obviously it’s a huge mistake.

“But just me personally growing from it and trying to be the best leader I can and help everybody on this team since letting everybody down, really put a chip on my shoulder. So to have ‘5,’ I’m honored.”

As with past recipients, Wilfawn has worn the No. 5 jersey throughout the week of practice. He also debuted the Veterans Day-inspired uniform ensemble the Jaguars will wear vs. Arkansas State in a video posted on social media Thursday.

Other South Alabama players to wear 5 this season are wide receiver Devin Voisin (Tulane), linebacker James Miller (Southeastern Louisiana), linebacker Trey Kiser (Oklahoma State), quarterback Desmond Trotter (Central Michigan), wide receiver Caullin Lacy (James Madison), safety Jaden Voisin (Louisiana-Monroe), defensive lineman Wy’Kevious Thomas (Southern Miss), center Reggie Smith (Louisiana) and wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett (Troy). Wommack said Wilfawn was an easy choice to be the latest recipient.

“Here’s a guy that in the Central Michigan game, let emotions get the best of him and cost this team,” Wommack said. “He took ownership of that after the game. He has done nothing since but put his head down, go to work, be a great teammate, practice hard every week, and then produce on game day for a defense that has not had enough guys step up in the moment and make plays.

“Quentin Wilfawn is doing everything he can to make this team better. He’s playing winning football. We need more guys that play at the level that he is playing right now. I’m just very proud of him on a personal level of how he’s handled a mistake and dealt with the adversity of that in terms of how he has served his teammates.”

Kickoff for South Alabama-Arkansas State is set for 4 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium. The game will stream live via ESPN+.