Kansas State opens 2026 season against Nicholls with $500,000 guarantee
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State will begin its 2026 football season at home against FCS opponent Nicholls on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game is scheduled for 6 m. local time (7 m. ET) and will be televised on ESPN+, according to The Associated Press.
The Wildcats are paying Nicholls a $500,000 guaranteed payment for the one-off game, according to a contract obtained by the Topeka Capital-Journal. Such guarantee payments are typical for games without a return date at the opponent's venue. Nicholls' athletics budget totaled nearly $11 million in fiscal year 2022, according to the Capital-Journal, making these payments a significant revenue source.
Kansas State's schedule adjustments for this season included several changes. The Wildcats were originally slated to host Missouri State for $450,000, but the Bears canceled the date by paying Kansas State around $50,000, allowing Missouri State to pursue a larger payout after moving up to the FBS. Kansas State will not owe Washington State anything for next week's game because the Wildcats are scheduled to visit the Cougars in 2029. Similarly, the Week 3 matchup against Tulane requires no payment, as it was part of a two-for-one series played in 2022 and 2024, according to the Capital-Journal.
On the field, both teams enter the season with statistical profiles from the 2025 campaign. Nicholls finished with a 4-8 record, averaging 307.4 yards of total offense per game (107th in FCS) and 18.2 points per game (106th). Defensively, the Colonels allowed 342.7 yards per game (33rd in FCS) and 24.9 points per game (45th). Passing leader Deuce Hogan threw for 1,046 yards with 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, completing 60.6% of his passes. Shane Lee led the rushing attack with 636 yards and 8 touchdowns on 108 carries, while Miequle Brock Jr. topped receivers with 340 yards on 41 catches and 2 scores.
Kansas State ended last season 6-6, posting 364.8 yards per game on offense (80th in FBS) and 29.4 points per game (52nd). The defense gave up 368.4 yards per game (74th in FBS) and 26.7 points per game (78th). Quarterback Avery Johnson, who led a game-winning drive against North Dakota in the 2025 opener, threw for 2,385 yards with 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, completing 59.8% of his passes. Joe Jackson rushed for 911 yards and 8 touchdowns on 169 carries, and Jaron Tibbs (who previously played at Mississippi) contributed 712 receiving yards on 41 catches with 5 scores.
Both teams will look to build on their recent performances. Nicholls ended 2025 with a 38-26 loss to Southeastern Louisiana, while Kansas State closed with a 24-14 win over Colorado. Next week, Nicholls hosts UT Rio Grande Valley on Sept. 12, and Kansas State travels to Washington State for a game on the same date.