Kane Wommack admits this past weekend wasn’t the most enjoyable of his life.

A 10-6 home loss in a rivalry game that knocked South Alabama out of first place in the Sun Belt Conference West Division will do that to a coach. The Jaguars (5-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) fell to Troy on Thursday night, meaning they had an extra two days to stew over the defeat before beginning preparation for a trip to Arkansas State (2-6, 1-4) on Saturday.

RELATED: 5 things we learned from South Alabama’s 10-6 loss to Troy

“I did not have a very good weekend,” Wommack said. “When you earn a loss like that and a loss that did not have to happen if you execute to the level that you’re capable of, that’s a hard pill to swallow. … But if you say you’re going to be a process-driven program, then you better actually be about your process. Either that, or the formula doesn’t actually work.

“… In this building, what we talk about is being relentless in our process, and then that process showing up on game day, and it did not. And when those things happen, that’s hard. That’s certainly one that we need to get corrected moving forward. And so the mentality of this team needs to be responsive. Hopefully that’s certainly what we’ll see this week, and then that response has to show up Saturday in Jonesboro.”

Against Troy, South Alabama scored a season-low in points and was held out of the end zone for the first time in nearly two years. The Jaguars had a handful of opportunities for touchdowns, with one long gain to inside the 5 called back by penalty, another overturned by replay and a third near-certain touchdown pass resulting in an overthrow.

Defensively, South Alabama allowed just 266 yards and only one touchdown, but it was enough for Troy to win. Understandably, the Jaguars are ready to turn the page.

“I’m itching to get back on the field,” safety Yam Banks said. “I’m so ready after that loss.”

South Alabama is a 12.5-point favorite to win at Arkansas State, a team it has beaten three straight years, including 31-13 in Mobile in 2021. Butch Jones’ Red Wolves have lost three straight games overall, the latest a 38-18 defeat at Louisiana last Saturday.

South Alabama can still win the Sun Belt West by winning out and if Troy loses once more, though the Trojans are off until they play at Louisiana on Nov. 5. The Jaguars also need one more win to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016.

It was at about this point that South Alabama’s season fell apart last year, as they lost five of their last six to finish out of postseason contention. Wommack said he doesn’t see that happening in 2022.

“I think that you will see a different response from us this week,” Wommack said. “We are very aware that we didn’t play anywhere near our standard. And I don’t mean to say that to take away from Troy. I thought (coach Jon Sumrall) and his staff, they did a tremendous job. They really did. But that was an earned loss by South Alabama, plain and simple. But the thing that’s hard and also great about college football is it was not our last game of the season. And so we get a chance to respond.”

One thing South Alabama has going for it in 2022 that it might not have a year ago is general team health. Wommack said the Jaguars are as healthy now as they have been since early in the season, with tight ends Brandon Crum and DJ Thomas-Jones, guard Dontae Lucas, linebacker Quentin Wilfawn and cornerback Jamar Richardson all having returned to the lineup in recent weeks.

Running back La’Damian Webb also played extensively vs. Troy after suffering a “mid-section” injury the previous week vs. ULM, but was limited to 12 yards on eight carries. Wommack said Webb might have been “fighting through” injury vs. Troy.

Wommack added that fellow running back Braylon McReynolds, out since the Oct. 1 win at Louisiana with a leg injury, could also return at Arkansas State.

“I thought (Webb) was OK in the game, but not at full capacity,” Wommack said. “The good thing is, he went through the game and felt pretty good the day after. … (McReynolds) is looking good. He’s kind of working through the protocols that he would need to be available for this week, so I think right now he’s optimistic. Hopefully, he keeps meeting the markers that he’s met up to this point.”

Kickoff Saturday is set for 3 p.m. at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Ark. The game will be televised live by ESPNU.