Even though the games have been close, Kentucky’s season has started out exactly how every Wildcats fan hoped.

Week 1, the Wildcats debuted an offense that proved it could rack up points. Week 2, the Wildcats denied an old foe a chance at revenge. That attitude of losing which the Wildcats had been saddled with for much too long is melting away. Kentucky is looking and feeling like it can compete.

Now that Week 3 is just around the corner, the Wildcats have another opportunity to make a statement. To beat Florida means shaking off the longest active win streak currently in the NCAA.

But we’re not here to talk about that. Mark Stoops, in a press conference this weekend, had much the same message when asked about the Kentucky-Florida win streak. However, he mentioned other, worthier statements to note, one of which was the following: “I think our players know that we have moved beyond the belief, we know we can play. It’s just a matter of attention to detail.”

No other phrase better captures what Kentucky needs now more than “attention to detail.” While improvements can always be made, Kentucky has an offense that is productive and an defense that is effective. But even with those two basic tenets of football secure, Kentucky struggles to close games.

We saw it in the first two weeks of the season. Against Louisiana-Lafayette, Kentucky soared to the tune of 24 points in the first half. Come the second half, Kentucky allowed the Cajuns to score 26 points while only scoring 16 points themselves. Against South Carolina, Kentucky again dominated the first half with 24 points and held the Gamecocks to just a touchdown. But in the second half, South Carolina was almost able to wrench back the lead by scoring 15 unanswered points while Kentucky was held to a defensive two-point conversion return.

We also saw it last year against the very opponent Kentucky has coming up next. Kentucky could have defeated Florida in 2014, but was just unable to execute towards the end of the game when it really mattered.

To figure out what Kentucky needs to do in order to be a better closer, let’s take our cue from coach Stoops and look at the details.

First, Kentucky needs to play a cleaner game in the second half than it does in the first half. During the previous two games, Kentucky had either the same or more penalties in the second half. Penalties are the number one momentum killer when trying to put together a big offensive drive. And in terms of impact on the opponent, the biggest momentum creator is a penalty allowing an otherwise-dead drive to continue.

Second, the defense needs to hold strong. This is easier said than done, since any defensive squad will be more tired entering the second half than the beginning of a game. But defenses that close games are the ones that hold steady and continue to shut down opponents so that their offense can get back on the field to run down the clock. Against Louisiana-Lafayette, the longest run the Kentucky defense gave up in the first half was 13 yards. In the second half, the Cajuns rushed for a 23-yard touchdown, a 26-yard touchdown, and a 56-yard touchdown. Kentucky’s defense must play tighter as the game progresses to prevent this from happening again.

Third, the offense should continue to play in a way that allows the team to score points in the second half. This seems like an obvious sentiment, but scoring points in the second half is a struggle for Kentucky and it may be due to a change in the types of plays called. During the first half of the South Carolina game, Kentucky utilized 24 running plays. During the second half, Kentucky only ran 10 running plays.

That makes no sense on two levels. Run plays eat the clock, which is always a goal of whichever team is leading at the half. Run plays are also what helps the WIldcats score points. There should never be a point where Kentucky is content with the amount of points they have scored and the amount of clock they have used. And South Carolina’s defense isn’t very effective against the run.

The reason why Kentucky has been able to combat its opponents’ late-game surges, according to Stoops, is because the team is now good enough to overcome the momentum shift. But banking a game on that would be foolish, especially if Kentucky loses to Florida again because of it. Stoops needs to take concrete steps to ensure his team becomes one that can seal the deal.

FLORIDA GATORS CLOSER LOOK

Top Week 2 player, offense: Kelvin Taylor, Jr., RB — Last week he had 55 rushing yards over 16 carries, and also made a reception for 6 yards. Even though Taylor won’t be starting against Kentucky due to his now infamous throat-slashing gesture last Saturday, Jim McElwain won’t keep him out of the game for long.

Top Week 2 player, defense: Jalen Tabor, So., DB — Vernon Hargreaves III would undoubtedly be in this spot if he had played last week, but since he sat out Tabor took his job by making an interception, breaking up two passes, and getting three total tackles.

Top Week 2 player, special teams: Johnny Townsend, So., P — Last week, Townsend punted 5 times for a total of 216 yards. He averaged 43.2 yards per punt with a long of 58. His performance was much better than kicker Austin Hardin, who missed 2 out of 3 field goals all from the 30-yard range.