In a highly anticipated matchup marking the start of the 2025 college football season, No. 22 Iowa State delivered a stunning performance against No. 17 Kansas State, emerging victorious with a score of 24-21 in Dublin, Ireland. This game, celebrated as one of the most significant contests in the newly revamped Big 12 conference, showcased the resilience and skill of both teams amidst challenging conditions.
The first half of the game was characterized by mistakes, including multiple turnovers, as the teams battled through heavy rain. The score was tied at 7-7 at halftime, but the second half proved to be a different story. Over the final two quarters, both teams combined for an impressive 31 points, playing mistake-free football without a single turnover. Kansas State's quarterback, Avery Johnson, shone in the fourth quarter, connecting on touchdown passes of 37 and 65 yards, while Iowa State’s Rocco Becht contributed significantly with two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown.
The outcome of this thrilling matchup was heavily influenced by two critical fourth-down decisions. With Iowa State leading 17-14, Kansas State opted to go for it on a fourth-and-2 play from their own 29-yard line. Iowa State’s safety, Jamison Patton, made a crucial stop on Johnson, stopping him just short of the first down. This gave the Cyclones the ball at the K-State 30-yard line with 8:19 left in the game. Four plays later, Becht rushed for a touchdown from the 7-yard line, extending Iowa State’s lead to 24-14.
As Kansas State fought back to narrow the gap to 24-21, Iowa State faced another fourth-down situation at the Wildcats’ 16-yard line with 2:26 remaining. Rather than kicking a field goal, Coach Matt Campbell elected to go for the first down. Becht successfully connected with running back Carson Hansen for a 15-yard gain, allowing Iowa State to run out the clock and secure the victory.
This game not only highlighted the competitiveness of both teams, but it also reinforced Iowa State's reputation as one of the most consistent programs in the Big 12. Under Coach Campbell, who celebrated his 100th career victory, the Cyclones have now beaten the Wildcats three consecutive times and five times in their last six matchups. Notably, the stakes have been high in their recent encounters, including last year's decisive 29-21 win that secured Iowa State’s spot in the league title game.
With the departure of star receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to the NFL, Iowa State faced challenges in filling those gaps. However, Becht introduced two promising second-year pass catchers, Dominic Overby and Brett Eskildsen, to a national audience during the game. Overby opened the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, and Eskildsen followed up with a 24-yard TD late in the third quarter.
Becht’s leadership proved invaluable as he completed 14 of 28 passes for 183 yards, despite facing early setbacks. His ability to connect with Hansen on crucial plays, including both third-and-1 and fourth-and-3 conversions, was pivotal in sealing Iowa State’s victory.
The weather conditions in Dublin posed significant challenges for both teams. Rain affected the field's footing, leading to early mistakes, including a crucial injury to Kansas State’s Dylan Edwards. The transfer from Colorado, who had a promising last season with 564 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, was sidelined with a lower-body injury after muffing a punt. Coach Chris Klieman confirmed Edwards would not return, leaving the Wildcats without a key player for the remainder of the game.
The thrilling contest in Dublin set the stage for what promises to be an exciting season in the Big 12. With both Iowa State and Kansas State showcasing their potential, fans can anticipate further intense matchups as the season progresses. Will these two rivals meet again in the Big 12 Championship? Only time will tell.
