For the Nicholls Colonels, Saturday night’s trip to Manhattan, Kansas, is more than just another game on the schedule. It is an opportunity to measure themselves against a Power Four opponent, test their growth as a team and see how they respond on one of college football’s biggest stages.

Fresh off a major 44-10 victory over Mississippi Valley State in the season opener, the Colonels now turn their attention to Kansas State. The Wildcats and Colonels have only met once before, with Kansas State earning a 49-14 victory in 2019 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Wildcats controlled that contest from the opening kickoff, building a 28-0 halftime lead before finishing with 573 total yards.

Seven years later, Nicholls returns to Manhattan looking to write a different story.

The challenge is significant. Kansas State enters the season opener under first-year head coach Collin Klein and will be playing in front of a packed home crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Wildcats have talent throughout the roster, including quarterback Avery Johnson and a physical rushing attack that has long been a staple of the program.

But inside the Nicholls locker room, the focus is not on the name across the field.

Nicholls State University Senior Linebacker Dominic Logiudice (No. 0)

For senior linebacker Dominic Logiudice (No. 0), the mindset is simple: trust the work and compete.

“Just go out there and execute, be the best team we can be,” Logiudice said. “For me personally, [I] just play the way that I know I can play and lead the defense. Our goal is to go in and win it.”

That confidence reflects the attitude surrounding the Colonels heading into the matchup. While many outsiders view the game as a heavy uphill battle, Nicholls players see it as an opportunity.

Logiudice has emerged as one of the leaders of the defense, bringing energy, toughness and experience to a unit that will be tasked with slowing down a talented Kansas State offense. His role goes beyond making tackles. As one of the veteran players on the team, he helps set the tone for younger players experiencing an atmosphere like this for the first time.

For many Colonels, possibly playing in front of more than 50,000 fans, with the game streaming live on ESPN+, is the type of moment they dreamed about growing up.

And while the odds may favor the Wildcats, college football has always been a sport built on belief.

The Colonels showed flashes of what they can achieve during their season-opening win over Mississippi Valley State. Quarterback Ean Rodrigue threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense helped build a commanding 37-0 halftime lead. If the Colonels hope to challenge Kansas State, they will need another complete performance on both sides of the ball.

The key will be handling the environment early. A fast start could help settle nerves and put pressure on the home team. The longer Nicholls stays within striking distance, the more confidence the Colonels will gain.

History says the task will not be easy. Kansas State leads the all-time series 1-0 and has traditionally been one of the tougher programs in the Big 12.

Still, the Colonels are traveling nearly 800 miles with the same goal they carry into every game: compete for four quarters and leave with a victory.

Whether Nicholls can pull off the upset remains to be seen. But if the words of Dominic Logiudice are any indication, the Colonels are not heading to Manhattan hoping to keep the game close.

They are going to put up a fight.