The Kentucky Wildcats (5-7, 2-6 SEC) ended their season on a five-game losing streak. After starting 5-1, the Wildcats remained one game shy of securing bowl eligibility and missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive season.

As head coach Mark Stoops enters his third season, Kentucky must improve in several areas to end its bowl drought. Here are five things the Wildcats can do to make a bowl in 2015.

1. Make “Boom” the feature back: It took Kentucky nine games to realize that Boom Williams was its best running back. The true freshman made his first start in Week 9 against Missouri and led the Wildcats with 488 yards and five touchdowns on 75 carries. Williams averaged 6.5 yards per carry, second to fellow freshman Nick Chubb in average for a running back with more than 100 attempts. The Wildcats need to make  the running back the focal point of their offense in 2015.

2. Continue success on recruiting trail: Kentucky has seen a solid improvement in recruiting since Stoops’ arrival in December 2012. The Wildcats ranked No. 22 overall for the 2014 class and currently have three four-star prospects for the 2015 class. Stoops has done an excellent job at earning in-state commitments, as well as in Ohio and the mid-west, his area of expertise.

3. Improve struggling special teams: The Wildcats were abysmal in special teams coverage this season, allowing big returns for short field position. Kentucky ranked No. 100 in kickoff return defense and No. 114 in punt return coverage. The Wildcats allowed four special teams touchdowns, the most in the SEC.

4. Work Matt Elam into a bigger role: Elam saw limited time as a freshman, but has the highest ceiling of Kentucky’s 2014 freshman class. The 6-foot-5, 372-pound defensive tackle ranked as the No. 1 player in the state of Kentucky and the No. 21 prospect, according to 247Sports.com. Elam has the size and explosiveness to make a surprise impact in his sophomore season, but may not have the endurance to be an every down player.

5. Find a solid target in the passing attack: Wide receiver was one of Kentucky’s worst position groups in 2015. Ryan Timmons led the Wildcats with 536 yards and two touchdowns on 45 receptions.

Kentucky saw even less production from the tight end position. Steve Borden had four catches for 33 yards. His backup, Ronnie Shields, added 29 yards on three catches. With both players leaving, the Wildcats’ top commit C.J. Conrad, a four-star prospect, has a chance to earn playing time in his first season.