Cyclones Knock off Wildcats in Week Zero Showdown in Ireland
The Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Kansas State Wildcats, 24-21, on Saturday, August 23rd at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, to kick off the college football season. It was a close call, and for the first half, there was little to no activity at all. In the second half, Iowa State really picked it up, especially their lead quarterback, who made critical touchdown throws in the third quarter. However, the fourth quarter is where the game really got close, and these two Big 12 rivals delivered a nail-biter in the final minutes of the first game of the college season.
First Quarter
Rocco Becht opened up the game for the Cyclone offense, as he led the team down the field on their first drive. They got some help with a pass interference call by the Kansas State defense, but turned the ball over soon afterwards. However, Kansas State gave the ball right back to the Cyclones with a fumble on the ensuing punt. As both teams tried to navigate the rainy conditions to start the game, Iowa State shifted to a ground-heavy approach—six rushes to one pass. Kansas State struggled to respond, suffering another sack and coughing up two turnovers in their first quarter possessions. Their passing game faltered, with multiple throws redirected, and Joe Jackson being the only good thing going for the Big 12 preseason champs. For Iowa State, Becht capped the final drive of the quarter with a touchdown pass, putting the Cyclones up 7-0.
Second Quarter
Avery Johnson put the Wildcats on the board with a touchdown, but the rest of the quarter was a rollercoaster filled with turnovers and sloppy play. Kansas State recovered a fumble at the 37-yard line, only to suffer a negative play and lose possession again to Iowa State. A pass that was intended for Benjamin Brahmer was intercepted, adding to the chaos. A 49-yard field goal attempt for the Cyclones veered far right—missed from the middle. Jackson managed a modest gain, picking up four yards, while a five-man rush forced Johnson to scramble and secure a touchdown with a quick toss to Jayce Brown. Despite the brief spark, Johnson’s next series was riddled with incomplete passes, and Kansas State continued to lose yardage. The quarter ended in a stalemate, with both teams tied, 7-7.
Third Quarter Breakdown & Final Drive Drama
Avery Johnson sparked Kansas State with a rushing touchdown early in the third, but momentum quickly shifted. He threw an interception and was sacked four times as Iowa State’s defense tightened its grip. Jackson managed just a yard on one carry before breaking loose for a 17-yard gain, while Joe Jackson continued to have a modest game. The Wildcats stalled again with an empty drive, and Iowa State seized the moment.
Rocco Becht stayed composed in the pocket, connecting with Carson Hansen as part of a 276-yard passing performance. Iowa State orchestrated a sharp drive, capped by Becht’s throw toward the goal line—initially ruled incomplete, but later followed by a clutch touchdown from Bret Eskildsen with just 1:07 left on the clock. Iowa State pulled ahead by seven, sealing the game with late-quarter precision, going into the 4th quarter with 14-7.
Fourth Quarter Fireworks
Avery Johnson opened the quarter with a score on the Wildcats' first drive of the quarter, but followed that drive with an incomplete touchdown attempt to Jayce Brown. With the game knotted at 14–14, tension mounted. Yet, the Cyclones had a secret weapon in Carson Hansen, who moved the chains for Iowa State with a key first down, as the Cyclones dialed up pressure. Rocco Becht targeted Chase Sowell near the end zone, but the pass slipped through.
Iowa State responded with a field goal to take a 17–14 lead. The Wildcats, on their next drive, decided to go for it on fourth down at their own 29-yard line. This decision proved to be costly as Johnson was ruled short, and the Cyclones looked to respond quickly to go up by double digits. That is what the Cyclones did as Becht struck again, running into the endzone to extend Iowa State’s lead to 24–14. Yet, Kansas State answered quickly with a touchdown from Jarron Bradley, who took advantage of a defensive miscommunication, narrowing the gap to 24–21.
With one final drive, Iowa State relied on Hansen and Becht to end the game. Hansen bulldozed his way to the 49-yard line, dominating the quarter on the ground, and Becht connected with him on a crucial fourth down that ended the game. The game ends with Iowa State on top, 24-21. The Cyclones now sit in first place in the Big 12 as the season begins.
