Count on KStateOnline recruiting analyst Derek Young to offer his fresh, unique and informed observations following every game this fall.

I’ll hand out game balls after each contest and point out the players that I think were most deserving of recognition. It was a 55-19 victory for K-State, so there’s plenty to choose from after the season opener but I settled on these:

1. Jesse Ertz. It can’t be ignored that his passing efficiency was the highest ever in Kansas State school history for a single game. He completed 10 passes on 16 attempts for 333 yards and four touchdowns. Ertz left some more yards and probably more points on the field. That can’t be denied yet it’s still impressive what he was able to accomplish, FCS or opponent or not.

2. D.J. Reed. Simply put, he was the best player on the field and I’m not sure it was all that close. His teammates all agreed. He had an interception, shut down his side of the field defensively, nearly took the opening kickoff back, and later scored on a punt return. Not enough knew about him before tonight, but that number will begin to grow following this outstanding performance.

3. Byron Pringle. Isaiah Harris might be a touch more dynamic, but Pringle isn’t far behind in that department with the addition of a little more size and polish. The former Butler C.C. standout made a definite mark on the game and popped out to me as a future NFL player.

Yes, it was just a game against Central Arkansas. Yes, the students definitely left early. It probably wasn’t near the usual atmosphere that Bill Snyder Family Stadium typically offers. I understand all that but Kansas State fans and officials should be proud of what they have created on Saturdays in Manhattan.

Oh, and Bill Snyder is deserving of some credit, too.

I have been at nearly each and every Big Ten stadium for a game. And of course, I have been to several Iowa games in Kinnick Stadium and a few at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. I’ve also been to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa and to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl. I’m not trying to speak in hyperbole or pander to anyone on this site when I say that the K-State atmosphere and environment is something special that is not duplicated or surpassed on many campuses at all.

Penn State is loud, but a bit of a mess lacking any kind of traditions or organization when it comes to pregame festivities. Ohio State is loud and does bring that all to the table but it lacks severely for non-prime time games. Michigan’s stadium isn’t as nice and has a weird feel to it. I do have to commend Wisconsin for what it has.

But Kansas State blew me away, and it was just Central Arkansas that was in Manhattan. I loved the organization when it came to the chants and how it just wasn’t the students that were involved. The entire stadium participated and knew exactly what to do and when and I just felt the energy of the entire stadium before kickoff.

Do not take for granted what has been built here over time.

Back to football.

Quite simply, the defense has to be better. There was a lot of yardage surrendered and some lackluster play at times. It makes you quiver inside a little at the thought that this was an FCS offense and not one from the Big 12 where points tend to be in abundance.

Setting the edge is an obvious complaint and something that has to be a priority moving forward. The Big 12 teams have speed and they love to run around you, not through you. That certainly applies for the team that plays in Stillwater.

On the bright side, I think it can be corrected and solutions can be found before opponents such as TCU and Oklahoma.

I definitely believe Skylar Thompson is the answer at quarterback following Jesse Ertz.

The chatter behind the scenes is that he is.

The fact that he was the first one called upon last night after they sat Ertz down probably means very little in the grand scheme of things since Alex Delton was not available.

But he took full advantage of his opportunity and he was able to prove himself while Delton had to watch.

It is what it is.

Unfortunately, we just didn’t get to see Thompson throw and I hope that changes because I’m thinking he'll see some action against Charlotte next week as well. We did see Thompson run, which was an eye-opener considering how effective he was and because the buzz has been how he’s going to be a K-State quarterback that can also strike fear into defenses as someone that can deliver the ball downfield.

Heck, Thompson was K-State’s leading rusher Saturday night in the season opener.

I do realize that's a feather in Thompson’s cap but it also makes folks a little weary about the backfield as a whole considering he was able to achieve that on just three carries.

Don’t worry, the running game will be just fine.