MANHATTAN — Leave it to Alex, my 4-year-old Texan grandson, to place a positive spin on Kansas State’s season-opening 10-7 football victory over Eastern Kentucky.
The Wildcats, expected to roll by four touchdowns, labored 58 minutes without a touchdown against the pesky Colonels.
Fortunately, wide receiver Chris Harper, an Oregon transfer, beat Colonel defensive back Myer Nolan in man coverage and caught an accurate 33-yard touchdown strike from Collin Klein.
Alex, like everyone else, had been waiting for the Wildcats to score a touchdown all evening. Their only touchdown came with 1:39 left in the game after more than 70 plays.
“We’re smoking them,” Alex proclaimed in true Texan bravado. He left with a smile on his face, especially after Saturday’s fireworks show at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
The victory became official when ball-hawking Nigel Malone intercepted his second pass of the night. Earlier, Malone saved the Wildcats with an interception in the end zone.
Everyone else dressed in purple breathed a sigh of relief after the Wildcats survived what was eerily reminiscent of coach Bill Snyder’s home debut in 1989.
Snyder’s team lost 10-8 in 1989 to a Northern Iowa team coached by Terry Allen, who coached at the University of Kansas.
This time, the Wildcats somehow survived five turnovers, thanks to big plays from a defense that showed improvement from a 2010 defense that had a hard time stopping anyone.
Perhaps no Big 12 team provided less of a glowing first impression than Kansas State. A couple minutes in, K-State had burned two timeouts, botched a snap from center and fumbled a punt away. They finished with four lost fumbles and an interception that Klein basically threw up for grabs down the middle of the field. 
It was a comedy of errors that no one in purple was laughing about.
The Wildcats’ overall grade was incomplete. But it was a vintage Snyder-coached victory with the Wildcats (barely) doing enough to win. They committed more mistakes than the Colonels, but found a way to stay close.
K-State has a long ways to go and short time to get there — especially with Miami, Fla. looming in three weeks.
The Wildcats’ offense, especially talented tailback Bryce Brown, didn’t perform their best. Brown left a fumble on the turf that was converted into a 1-yard touchdown drive by the Colonels.
There’s plenty of talent in the backfield and the receiving corps. Fullback Braden Wilson is one of the league’s best players at his position. Backs Brown and John Hubert are capable receivers. Harper,  Brodrick Smith and newcomer Tyler Lockett are skilled players.
Klein owns the leadership and running skills to operate the offense. It’s just a question of how accurate his passing will be. The new-look offensive line lacked pop off the line in the running game, but protected Klein for the most part. If the line makes progress, the Wildcats should be a competitive offensive team.
It was nearly impossible for K-State’s defense to be worse than 2010.
Linebacker Arthur Brown makes K-State’s defense better by stepping onto the field. He lived up to his billing with a solid opener. Defensive end Jordan Voelker performed at a high level. We’ll see how competitive the secondary will be when they face high-level quarterbacks in Baylor’s Robert Griffin, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden.  The Wildcats’ biggest concerns are lack of experience and size at linebacker.
I’m interested in that showdown with Miami, Fla., in three weeks. Miami appears to possess better speed and a physical presence that didn’t show up Saturday in Manhattan. An upset over Miami would be a huge bonus.  
I believe K-State’s 2011 season boils down to league home openers against Baylor and Missouri.
Win those, and the Wildcats have a chance for a decent season.
Lose those, and the gauntlet of No. 1 Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M looks like a nightmare.