Avery Johnson’s Late Drive Levels Score in Aer Lingus Classic

DUBLIN, Ireland - On Saturday, August 23, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson lit up the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. He scored with a 10-yard option run, tying the game at 7-7 in the first quarter.

In Week 0’s season opener, Johnson faced a tough Iowa State defense. On third-and-six, he took the snap and charged through the Aviva Stadium turf. He crashed into the end zone, tying the game for the Wildcats.

Iowa State scored first, taking advantage of a turnover to take the lead. Johnson, a dynamic dual threat as he enters his junior year, stayed calm. He executed Head Coach Chris Klieman’s call flawlessly. The score came less than 10 minutes into the game. It set the stage for a fierce “Farmageddon” rivalry rematch abroad.

The 20-year-old quarterback hasn’t been fazed by the international stage. Last season, he threw for 2,712 yards and 25 touchdowns. Johnson’s teammates, like transfer tight end Jaron Tibbs and homegrown running back Dylan Edwards, watched from the sideline. They saw their leader show why the Wildcats are 3-point favorites in Dublin.

As the crowd cheered and purple confetti prepared to launch, Johnson ran back to the huddle. His helmet sat crooked, and he felt a rush of adrenaline. ““We knew they’d punch early,” he later told ESPN. ““Our job was to answer, and that’s exactly what we did.”

Catch the Aer Lingus Classic live on ESPN! Both teams aim for an early boost in the tough Big 12 opening weekend.