Iowa State Edges Kansas State 22–17 in Aer Lingus College Football Classic

DUBLIN, IRELAND - In the season-opening Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, No. 22 Iowa State rallied past No. 17 Kansas State, 22–17, to kick off the 2025 campaign in dramatic fashion.

Iowa State jumped ahead when Kansas State’s Dylan Edwards fumbled a punt. This happened inside the Wildcats’ 10-yard line after a quick three-and-out on their first drive. The Cyclones pounced on the loose ball, setting up the first touchdown of the game. Quarterback Rocco Becht led a well-rounded offense. He threw for 215 yards and scored twice on the ground. One of his rushing touchdowns was a 5-yard run in the third quarter, boosting the Cyclones’ lead to 15–10.

Kansas State answered when star quarterback Avery Johnson hit wide receiver Jamal Green with a 32-yard pass. This capped an 8-play drive and brought the Wildcats closer, at 15–17, early in the fourth quarter. Jeremiah Cooper, a linebacker for Iowa State, blocked a late field goal attempt. This helped the Cyclones hold on to their narrow lead.

Iowa State’s defense kept Kansas State to 287 total yards. They forced two turnovers, one being a key muffed punt recovery. Cornerback Jontez Williams clinched the win with an interception on Kansas State’s last drive. This gave the Cyclones the ball with less than two minutes left.

Iowa State’s upset on foreign soil puts them at 1–0. They’re building on last season’s record of 11 wins. Kansas State falls to 0–1 but showed flashes of the explosive offense that netted 30.8 points per game in 2024.

Iowa State is set to host Tulsa on September 6. Also, Kansas State will face UAB in Manhattan for their Week 1 game.