In one in all most pivotal video games within the new-look Massive 12, No. 22 Iowa State overpowered No. 17 Kansas State 24-21 in Dublin, Eire, to kick off the 2025 faculty soccer season.
A sloppy first half blended with turnovers amid the pouring rain gave method to an explosive second half crammed with factors and precision.
After a 7-7 tie at halftime, the groups mixed for 31 factors and neither had a turnover within the ultimate two quarters. Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson linked on landing passes of 37 and 65 yards within the fourth quarter, whereas Iowa State’s Rocco Becht threw two landing passes and rushed for one.
THE FIRST TD OF THE 2025-26 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UybModUyEl
— ESPN (@espn) August 23, 2025
However two pivotal fourth-down calls decided the result of the 109th version of a rivalry dubbed Farmageddon.
With Iowa State main 17-14, Kansas State opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 from its 29. Iowa State security Jamison Patton drilled quarterback Avery Johnson who fell simply inches shy of a primary down to offer the Cyclones the ball on the Okay-State 30-yard line with 8:19 left to play. Becht scored on a rush from the 7-yard line 4 performs later to push the Cyclones forward 24-14.
After Okay-State trimmed its deficit to 24-21, the Cyclones confronted fourth-and-3 on the Wildcats’ 16 with 2:26 left. As an alternative of making an attempt a area purpose, Iowa State coach Matt Campbell went for the primary down. Becht hit working again Carson Hansen with a swing move for 15 yards. Iowa State took three knees from the 1-yard line to clinch the victory.
The sport confirmed why each packages are thought of among the many league favorites. It additionally showcased why Iowa State has develop into one of many Massive 12’s most constant packages below Matt Campbell, who received his a hundredth sport as a head coach.
The Cyclones now have crushed the Wildcats in three years in a row and in 5 of the final six matchups. Every of the groups’ final two conferences had Massive 12 Championship Video games stakes once they met within the season finale. Final 12 months, Iowa State’s 29-21 victory in Ames, Iowa, sealed the Cyclones spot within the league title sport. The earlier 12 months, Iowa State’s 42-35 upset within the snow at Manhattan, Kan., prevented Kansas State from reaching a tiebreaker for a championship spot.
Kansas State gave up its house sport to play in Eire. It’s attainable they might meet once more for the Massive 12 Championship.
In an aberration for these two packages, Kansas State and Iowa State every misplaced two first-half fumbles. The groups mixed for 11 misplaced fumbles in 27 video games mixed in 2024. Following the Cyclones’ first drive, Kansas State punt returner Dylan Edwards muffed a punt, and Iowa State recovered on the Okay-State 8. The Cyclones reached the 1-yard line, then Becht’s excessive pitch bounced off Hansen’s facemask, and the Wildcats recovered to thwart the scoring try.
Becht’s management proves pivotal
After a school-record 11 victories final 12 months, Iowa State entered 2025 with a couple of query marks after shedding high receiving tandem Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to the NFL Draft. That a part of the Cyclones’ offense stays a query mark for one more week. However Becht offered his personal solutions together with his response to these departures.
Victimized by drops early, Becht responded to finish 14 of 28 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He additionally shook off 4 early sacks and ran for the 7-yard go-ahead landing within the fourth quarter. However within the play of the day, Becht’s poise to seek out Hansen on fourth down tipped the sport in Iowa State’s favor.
When requested why he had the boldness to name that fourth-down move, Iowa State coach Matt Campbell informed ESPN’s Taylor McGregor, “Our quarterback provides me quite a lot of confidence, and he’s an important soccer participant.”
The Cyclones’ toughness was obvious final 12 months with a 5-1 document in one-score video games. With Becht’s management, Iowa State will stay a troublesome out this season. — Scott Dochterman, faculty soccer author
Welcome to the scene, Dominic Overby and Brett Eskildsen
The lack of Noel and Higgins, each of whom topped 1,110 yards final season, hit exhausting at Iowa State. They’re rookie teammates this 12 months with the Houston Texans.
How would the Cyclones fill the holes? Becht launched a nationwide viewers on Saturday to Dominic Overby and Brett Eskildsen, second-year move catchers who caught their first profession touchdowns within the season opener.
First profession TD catch for @EskildsenBrett was a magnificence 🤩
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/iVEs78gTWA
— Iowa State Soccer (@CycloneFB) August 23, 2025
Overby scored from 23 yards out as rain fell within the first quarter. Eskildsen caught a 24-yard TD late within the third quarter. And when going through strain within the fourth quarter to maintain possession, Becht linked with tight finish Gabe Burkle on third-and-1 and on fourth-and-3 together with his working again Hansen to ice victory.
Becht threw for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns a 12 months in the past. However any discuss in regards to the demise of his choices within the passing sport was seemingly exaggerated. The junior threw for 183 yards on 14-of-28 passing, a stable begin, contemplating the sloppy area. — Mitch Sherman, faculty soccer author
The doubtful Dublin climate
Did poor enjoying circumstances issue within the early harm sustained by Dylan Edwards, one half of the dynamic backfield for Kansas State that features Johnson?
Rain in Dublin washed away the paint that marked yard traces. The moist area appeared to affect footing. And ESPN’s Dave Pasch, on the play-by-play name, talked about that smoke from pregame fireworks could have lingered within the view of Edwards as he tried to area a punt after Iowa State’s opening possession.
Regardless, Edwards didn’t return after muff. Trainers tended to a lower-body harm earlier than the Okay-State working again left for the locker room. Coach Chris Klieman informed ESPN sideline reporter Taylor McGregor in a halftime interview that Edwards was performed for the day. The Wildcats can’t afford to lose him long run.
The switch from Colorado rushed for 564 yards and scored eight touchdowns final 12 months. In his absence, sophomore Joe Jackson dealt with a heavier load, however he lacks the play-making skill of Edwards. — Sherman
(Picture: Brendan Moran / Sportsfile through Getty Pictures)
