James Schneider plays the game the right way.

While he may not be the biggest, fastest or strongest linebacker in all the country, Schneider makes sure to abide by the lessons last season’s senior linebackers John Haneline and Erique Dozier instilled in him to make up for it.

‘I feel like every time I step onto the field, I’m playing my hardest,’ Schneider said.

First-year coach Dave Clawson noticed that work ethic and has given Schneider his first opportunity to start at the Division I level.

After putting in an offseason of hard work, Schneider beat out junior Eugene Fells for a starting spot on the defense’s second row.

‘What he is, is a scrapper,’ Clawson said. ‘He watches a lot of film, he knows the proper angles to take [and] he practices and plays football like someone who loves the game.’

But without knowing all that, anyone reading over last season’s stats may wonder how Schneider has been put into that position.

Playing as a back up to Haneline, Dozier and returning starter Jerett Sanderson last season, Schneider saw action in four games, recording just six tackles.

He nearly matched that stat in his first start this year in the season-opener against Troy when he recorded five tackles. He repeated that total the next week against then-No. 25 Missouri.

But last weekend marked his breakout game as Schneider doubled his output and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles against Marshall in a 17-10 loss.

‘It’s been exciting [and] a good opportunity for me,’ Schneider said. ‘I’ve really, really enjoyed it and played hard every time I’ve gotten a chance.’

After high school, Schneider played for Butler Junior College in his homestate of Kansas for two seasons before deciding to make the jump to Division I football.

He said the friendly environment he experienced when he visited the University made his decision to come east easier.

‘Everybody treats each other like equals here; a good sound community,’ Schneider said.

But one thing Schneider has yet to do as part of that community is record a sack.

He’ll get his next chance to get one in tomorrow’s game against No. 8 Boise State. And taking down Kellen Moore – regarded by many experts as one of the better quarterbacks in the country – would be one of the most memorable moments of his career.

‘Undescribleable,’ Schneider said. ‘It’d be a pretty amazing moment listening to the fans cheer.’

Sack or not though, Clawson will likely be satisfied with Schneider’s performance by the end of the game, even if he makes a mistake or two.

‘When the game is over, like every game, he’s not perfect, but it’s not ever for a lack of effort or a lack of want-to,’ Clawson said.

Playing the game the right way will do that to a player, and for Schneider, he wouldn’t have it any other way.