In the ancient tradition of binding one's body to the fortunes of the tribe, Willie the Wildcat found himself on Saturday night not merely a symbol, but a participant in Kansas State's 71-3 rout of Nicholls State — completing 394 push-ups, one for each point scored, until his arms could barely answer the call. It is a small, vivid parable about what it means to be truly committed to a cause: the celebration of others can become, without warning, an ordeal of one's own.