Braden Schneider

The Kansas State University football team kicked off its season Saturday hosting FCS opponent South Dakota State and survived a scare needing a touchdown late to sneak away with a 27-24 victory.

The Coyotes gave the Wildcats everything they could handle and then some, with former Jefferson County North Charger Braden Schneider helping lead the way as he started and played nearly every offensive snap at right guard in his first collegiate start.  

Schneider, a redshirt-freshman at South Dakota, helped the Yotes churn out 334 total yards of offense including 257 yards passing while the unit allowed just one sack and five quarterback pressures.

Schneider came to South Dakota after earning First Team All-State honors on the offensive line for Jefferson County North in 2016, a year in which the Chargers finished with an 8-1 record and captured a Northeast Kansas League title.

He also earned first-team all-league awards for play on both sides of the ball and competed in basketball and track and field for the Chargers.

He earned a trip to the state track & field meet his senior season, and on the basketball court was named a first-team all-league selection.

Schneider will have three years of eligibility left after this season, as he looks to help the Coyotes to a strong season and potentially a conference championship in the Missouri Valley.