Many times, the difference between winning and losing a football game is minuscule.
A play goes one way, a team converts on a crucial third down - there are several small elements that can sometimes be overlooked that will often leave a lasting impression on the outcome of the game.
That's a lesson that the University of Charleston has had to learn all too often this season.
The Golden Eagles are 2-5 heading into this week's game against Urbana and sit last in the Mountain East Conference in turnover margin after three interceptions doomed them in a 21-13 loss to No. 23 Fairmont State last week.
"We talk to these guys all the time about how much of a difference doing the little things can make," UC coach Pat Kirkland said. "We've got to clean those things up. In that Fairmont game, if you look at it from a play-to-play point of view, there were a few times we took plays off mentally and it caught up with us."
In the last few weeks, especially, that has happened.
Between turnovers and coming up with conversions and stops on third and fourth downs, the Golden Eagles have had their fair share of struggles to come through when they need to.
UC has turned the ball over four times in those two games, while successfully converting on third and fourth down on nine of 29 occasions (31 percent). Defensively, West Liberty and Fairmont State were successful on the final two downs 15 of 31 times.
Kirkland pointed out a stretch against Fairmont State that ended up being a breaking point for his team. With the Golden Eagles driving and playing effectively on offense, the Falcons held strong on fourth-and-1 - forcing a turnover on downs.
After that, Fairmont marched down the field 81 yards on 12 plays, including converting on two key third downs, to score the touchdown that was able to put the game away.
"We've definitely had opportunities in those games, and we gave up big plays on third down," Kirkland said. "That's disappointing because it creates more chances for them and obviously keeps their drive going.
"Those are the kind of plays that, when it goes your way, can really swing the momentum in your favor."
For the players, it's been a tough pill to swallow this season.
Following last year's trip to the playoffs, not many expected this to be the way things would be going with four games left in 2016. But they know the only way they can fix it is to keep pushing toward making things right and finishing on a positive note.
"Our focus has to be 100 percent on executing and controlling what we can do," running back Marvin Elam said. "This has been a tough year, no one wants to lose games the way we have, but we have a chance to finish strong and carry that over to the next season."
But, as it usually is anytime a team is struggling, the key has been not to go overboard dwelling on the things they have done before. Instead they're using those lessons to continue to make that needed progress.
There are some games coming up that provide them with chances to win - they'll take on Urbana this week before traveling to take on West Virginia Wesleyan. Those come before showdowns against Alderson Broaddus and UVa-Wise.
"You point those things out to them and show them because it is frustrating because we know that we're a good football team," Kirkland said. "We just aren't playing well right now. We're taking each game, breaking it down and focusing on every snap to show them were we can get better. It starts with those little details, we have to fix those and get that right."
Contact Michael Carvelli at 304-348-4810 or michael.carvelli@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @carvelli3.