Cyclones Hand Wildcats 24-21 Heartbreaker in Dublin

Soren Sablan
Aug 24
3 min read

Updated: Aug 28

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2025 between Kansas State ‘Wildcats’ (left) and Iowa State ‘Cyclones’ (right) in the Aviva Stadium on 23rd August 2025. - Aer Lingus Press Release

In a rainy Aviva Stadium, Iowa State defeated Kansas State 24-21 in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. The Wildcats’ loss extends their losing streak to Iowa State to three consecutive games.

Going into this matchup, both teams were coming off bowl wins last December and are nationally ranked.

This was the first time that both teams played in Dublin and the second time the Wildcats went across the pond. The last time they travelled overseas was in December 1992 for the Coca-Cola bowl against then-rival Nebraska in Tokyo, Japan.

First Quarter

Iowa State received the ball to start and were forced to punt at their own 39-yard line after four rushes plus an incompletion and sack for Quarterback Rocco Becht. The ball was turned over back to the Cyclones after Kansas State returner, Dylan Edwards muffed the punt. Edwards was ruled out after suffering an injury following the muffed punt.

On Iowa State's second drive, Becht gave the ball to Running Back Abu Sama III and fumbled the ball upon handoff. The Wildcats regained possession as Linebacker Austin Romaine fell on the ball.

The first score of the game and of the season came late in the first quarter with Becht connecting to first-year receiver Dominic Overby for a 23-yard touchdown, making the score 7-0 after 15 minutes.

Second Quarter

Just five seconds into the second quarter, Avery Johnson took the ball by himself in for a 10-yard touchdown, helping the Wildcats tie the game at seven.

With 4:13 left, Iowa State kicker Kyle Konrardy tried a 49-yard field goal and missed it wide to the right.

Third Quarter

The Wildcats received the ball to start the second half and Johnson not only rushed for 8 yards but connected with Tight End Will Anciaux for a yard coming up short of a first down.

It was not successful for the Cyclones either on their first drive of the half as Becht struggled to gain yardage. He threw an incomplete pass intended for Chase Sowell and got sacked by Defensive End Tobi Osunsanmi losing 11 yards. Following the sack, Becht rushed for nine yards and was forced to punt after going three-and-out.

It looked like the Wildcats’ passing game improved as Johnson connected with both Jerand Bradley, Jayce Brown and Brayden Loftin for at least nine yards per throw. Running back Joe Jackson looked like he found his groove helping the Wildcats get a first down for 10 yards after gaining one a play before. Now it is 4th & 9, Johnson sees Bradley but does not connect as the ball gets turned over.

It is now the second drive of the half for the Cyclones and when things seemed lost, coach Matt Campbell had an answer. The drive ended with Becht connecting to Sophomore WR Brett Eskildsen for a 24 yd touchdown to retake the lead 14-7.

Fourth Quarter

A minute into the fourth quarter, Johnson connected a 37-yard pass to Brown for a touchdown to help tie the game.

Iowa State was forced to take a field goal by Kyle Konrardy, putting the Cyclones up 17-14.

At the 8:19 mark on 4th and 1, Johnson tried to get a first down off a rush but was ruled short with his shin touching the ground. The Cyclones took advantage of the stop, giving them better field position and later Becht an opportunity to rush for a score.

Answering right back for the Wildcats, Johnson on the first play of the drive connected to the Red-shirt Freshman receiver Jerand Bradley for a 65 yd TD, narrowing Iowa State’s lead 24-21.

Both teams used all three timeouts prior to the two-minute timeout. The Cyclones knelt to end the Week 0 matchup with a 24-21 victory.

What happened?

For Iowa State, Becht went 14/28 for 183 yards, recording two passing TDs and one rushing TD. Overby and Eskildsen helped score the two passing touchdowns with one going for 23 yards and the other for 24.

For Kansas State, Johnson went 21/30 for 273 yards, also recording two passing TDs and one rushing TD. Brown and Bradley helped the Wildcats score from 37 yards and from 65.

If it was not the turnovers and drops that plagued this game, the penalties also played a role in Iowa State's win too. Iowa State had that delay of game for five yards in the Second Quarter while Kansas State had six penalties costing them 48 yards.