The second annual K- State Family Reunion got off to a roaring start, aided by the powerful motors of the seemingly endless train of Harley-Davidsons circling the gridiron. I don't know if Manhattan is motorcycle- heavy or if stragglers from the Sturgis Rally happened to stumble across the Little Apple on their way home.

With "The Bill" filled to the brim with a sea of purple, you couldn't ask for a better day to open the season. As a student, nothing is more exciting to me than the start of football season, when all the K-State faithful pile into Manhattan for a day of tail- gating, cheering and Wildcat victory.

It especially takes the hype up a notch when the Wildcats take on a big-name opponent like University of California, Los Angeles. Maybe it's just me, but I have a hard time getting excited playing against Western Louisiana Techni- cal and Home Economic University.

Wildcat fans couldn't have asked for much more in a home opener. Bill Snyder Family Stadium boasted a sold-out crowd for a nationally televised game. The team started out strong, forcing a three and out from the UCLA offense and then driving 55 yards for a touchdown by running back Daniel Thomas.

But for a while, things hung in the balance. UCLA came back to pull ahead 10-7 heading into the half after two key turnovers by Thomas and senior quarter- back Carson Coffman. The Wildcats were held to nine total yards in the second quarter alone, but came out after the half as a new team.

After the half, the Wild- cats put up 24 points and amassed 272 yards. While things grew tight at the end with UCLA's hurry-up offense, K-State was able to put things away with an onside kick recovery and a late 35-yard touchdown run.

The big improvement from the 2009 Wildcats to the 2010 team isn't one single player, but team effort. While it never hurts to have a running back who can post 235 yards and two touchdowns, the Cats still had to find away to finish

the game and put UCLA away. K-State came up with turnovers at crucial points in the contest, but Coffman and the offense were able to manage the ball game and win. The kicking game looked much improved, with junior Anthony Can- tele posting seven points and sending several kickoffs soaring through the back of the end zone. Had K-State been playing the University of Kansas this weekend, Cantele would have out- scored the Jayhawk offense singlehandedly.

The defense showed flashes of brilliance at times, and for the most part was consistent. Brandon Harold had an outstanding return from last season, register- ing three tackles and a sack while almost intercepting a Kevin Prince pass. The most noticeable difference between this year's team and

the previous was the pres- ence of mental toughness and the ability to finish a ball game.

While the Wildcats might not be quite where coach Bill Snyder would like them to be, the season opener demonstrated to fans that the program is moving in the right direction. While K- State struggled at times, it is still early in the season. The team can look to improve within the next few weeks with Missouri State coming to Manhattan this weekend and Iowa State in Kansas City for the Farmageddon matchup. Ideally, the Wild- cats will have all the kinks worked out before Oct. 7, when they take on Nebraska on national television.