Jesse Ertz will be the starting quarterback for the Kansas State Wildcats when they host  South Dakota Saturday night. The announcement was made by Bill Snyder at his football press conference in Manhattan Tuesday.

Ertz is in his third year in the program after redshirting in 2013 and seeing limited action a year ago where he played in four games, and rushed for 46 yards on seven attempts.

It was his consistency that put him apart from the three other candidates according to Snyder.

“I think it was a consistency factor across the board. From A to Z, name the position, we have had inconsistency throughout our preparation. I think Jesse, from that group of players, performed with greater consistency throughout that time than any of the others did,” said Snyder.

During his high school days at Mediapolis High in Burlington, Iowa, Ertz was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2012 and an Honorable Mention All-American selection by Parade. He broke the Iowa high school state record for career touchdowns with 98 and ranked fifth in state history in career passing yardage with 7,317. He registered over 9,000 total yards and 130 touchdowns in his prep career.

Also in the quarterback competition, freshman Alex Delton and junior Hubener are battling for the number spot at that position. Junior college transfer Jonathan Banks will be red shirted.