In 1896, Kansas State Agricultural College took a giant step: they hired someone to oversee athletics. They also finally granted their teams the authority to compete as varsity units.
The school did not immediately begin engaging in intercollegiate competition, however. In 1896, the first real KSAC football team took the field, playing two games against Fort Riley. The first was held on November 28, on the army base; the soldiers defeated the students 14-0. A week later, they met again in Manhattan, battling to a 6-6 tie. And that was it for the first season of Aggie football.