No. 21 Iowa State opens the 2025 college football season with a 24-21 win over rival No. 20 Kansas State.
The Cyclones (1-0, 1-0 Big 12) pulled off the close victory in the rivalry dubbed “Farmageddon” at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Aug. 23 in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Rocco Becht threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown in the third straight victory for Iowa State over Kansas State (0-1, 0-1 Big 12).
Iowa State was out-gained by Kansas State by 70 yards, but still picked up the win due to a strong showing from Becht and the running game in the second half. Carsen Hansen had 16 rushes for 71 yards and added a 17-yard catch which proved to be the game-clincher.
Despite the loss, Avery Johnson finished 21-of-30 passing for 273 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown.
With 6:35 left in the game, Iowa State took a 24-14 lead. But Johnson responded with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Jerand Bradley to cut the lead to three again. However, the Cyclones prevented the Wildcats from getting the ball back.
Kansas State lost star running back Dylan Edwards to an injury on a punt return in the first quarter. He never played an offensive snap and was ruled out at halftime by KSU coach Chris Klieman.
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Catch up with USA TODAY with updates, scores and highlights from the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State below:
Aer Lingus College Football Classic live score
This section will be updated.
Aer Lingus College Football Classic live updates
Final: Iowa State 24, Kansas State 21
Iowa State defeats rival Kansas State in Aer Lingus College Football Classic
Iowa State pulls off a 24-21 victory over rival Kansas State to open the 2025 college football season in Dublin. The Cyclones pull off the conference win with a strong performance from quarterback Rocco Becht.
Iowa State clinched the win on a bold call by ISU coach Matt Campbell, who decided to go for it on fourth down rather than kick a field goal to ensure the Wildcats would not get the ball back with a chance to win it.
Iowa State converts fourth down
Iowa State converted a fourth-and-3 from on a pass from Rocco Becht to Carson Hansen to the 17-yard line with 2:18 left in the game to all but ice the game. Initially, the play was ruled a touchdown, but Hanen was ruled down at the 1-yard line.
The Cyclones should be able to kneel three times and run the clock out for the win with Kansas State out of timeouts.
Jerand Bradley scores on a 65-yard TD for Kansas State
Iowa State’s double-digit lead was short-lived as Avery Johnson hits Jerand Bradley for a 65-yard touchdown to cut Cyclones’ lead to 24-21 with 6:23 left.
Bradley ran a deep route and is left uncovered by the Iowa State safeties. The scoring drive consisted of one play, a 65-yard pass, and took just nine seconds off the clock.
Rocco Becht rushing TD extends Iowa State lead
Rocco Becht makes Kansas State pay for its gamble to go for it on fourth down in its own territory. Becht scores on a quarterback draw from 7 yards out to extend the Iowa State lead to 24-14 with 6:38 left.
Becht hit Benjamin Brahmer for a 21-yard pass to set up the scoring play. The drive goes four plays for 30 yards and takes 1:41 off the clock.
Kansas State turns ball over in own territory
Kansas State decided to go for it on fourth-and-one from its own 30-yard line down by three points. However, Avery Johnson appeared short of the first down and the Wildcats turned the ball over on downs.
The call he was short was confirmed after review. Iowa State takes over deep in KSU territory with a chance to push its lead.
Iowa State holds a 17-14 lead with 8:19 left.
Kyle Konrardy gives Iowa State lead with field goal
Kyle Konrardy hits a 34-yard field goal to give Iowa State a 17-14 lead with 10:04 remaining in the game. Konrardy missed a 49-yard field goal earlier in the game.
The Cyclones’ scoring drive is 10 plays, 57 yards and took four minutes off the clock.
Avery Johnson, Kansas State tie game at 14
Avery Johnson connects with Jayce Brown on a 37-yard touchdown to tie the game with 14:09 left in the game. Brown got loose due to broken coverage and Johnson hits him in stride to tie it up.
The scoring drive goes 5 plays for 75 yards and takes 1:58 off the clock.
Johnson is 18-of-26 passing for 189 yards and a touchdown.
Iowa State holds lead entering 4th quarter of Aer Lingus College Football Classic
Iowa State will enter the fourth quarter with a 14-7 lead. Brett Eskildsen’s touchdown grab on a pass from Rocco Becht gave the Cyclones the lead with 1:07 left in the third quarter.
However, Kansas State is driving to begin the final quarter. The Wildcats will have first-and-10 from the Iowa State 44-yard line following a 24-yard completion from Avery Johnson to Garrett Oakley.
End of third quarter: Iowa State 14, Kansas State 7
Brett Eskildsen hauls in TD pass from Rocco Becht to give Iowa State lead
Rocco Becht drops a dime into the breadbasket of receiver Brett Eskildsen for a 24-yard touchdown to give Iowa State a 14-7 lead with 1:07 left in the third quarter. Eskildsen with good a good contested catch and got his foot down to complete the score.
The scoring drive is 11 plays for 67 yards and takes 5:59 off the clock.
Kansas State turns ball over on downs in Iowa State territory
Avery Johnson makes a pair of nice throws on Kansas State’s second drive of the third quarter, but the drive stalls at the Iowa State 33-yard line following an incomplete pass on fourth down.
Iowa State will take over on its own 33-yard line with 7:06 left in the quarter.
The Wildcats are out-gaining the Cyclones 214-99 but the game remains tied 7-7.
Halftime: Iowa State 7, Kansas State 7
Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards out for rest of game
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said during his halftime interview that Wildcats’ star running back Dylan Edwards is out for the rest of the game due to an injury. Edwards sustained his injury on a punt return early in the game and did not record a snap on offense.
First half quarterback stats
Here’s a look at the halftime quarterback stats between Rocco Becht and Avery Johnson:
Rocco Becht, ISU: 6-for-15 passing for 78 yards and a touchdown; 6 rushes for -2 yards
Avery Johnson, KSU: 9-for-14 passing for 60 yards; 5 rushes for 12 yards and a touchdown
Iowa State-Kansas State halftime stats
Here’s a look at the halftime stats from the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State:
Total yards: Iowa State, 101; Kansas State, 154
Rushing yards: Iowa State, 23; Kansas State, 94
Passing yards: Iowa State 78; Kansas State, 60
First downs: Iowa State, 7; Kansas State, 7
Penalties: Iowa State, 1-5; Kansas State, 4-28
Turnovers: Iowa State, 2; Kansas State, 2
Time of possession: Iowa State, 14:10; Kansas State, 15:50
The Aer Lingus Colleg Football Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State heads into halftime in a tie. Both teams struggle due to the field conditions and weather.
The Wildcats will receive to start the second half.
Kyle Konrardy misses 49-yard field goal
Iowa State’s kicker Kyle Konrardy attempts a 49-yard field goal, but in the wet conditions, the kick sails wide right and the game remains tied 7-7.
Kansas State starts its drive at the 31-yard line with 4:13 left in the half.
Drew Surges punches ball out of Joe Jackson’s hands for fumble
Iowa State’s Drew Surges punches the ball out of Kansas State running back Joe Jackson’s hands after a 17-yard run to force a fumble. Ta’Shawn James recovers the fumble and Iowa State will start with its next possession at its own 21-yard line.
Iowa State forces turnover on downs
Iowa State’s defense forces a turnover on downs after the offense fumbles the ball away to give Kansas State the ball in the red zone. Marcus Neal recorded a tackle for loss on fourth-and-short to force the turnover.
Kansas State forces turnover
On third-and-long, Kansas State gets a strip sack of Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht. The Wildcats start from the Iowa State 16-yard line, looking to take their first lead.
Avery Johnson ties Aer Lingus College Football Classic with TD
On a third-and-six, Avery Johnson runs a QB option up the middle and scores on a 10-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. The Wildcats’ scoring drive goes 8 plays for 65 yards and takes 3:31 off the clock.
Jayce Brown had a 33-yard run on the drive as the biggest play. Kansas State also converted a fourth-and-short to keep the drive alive.
End of first quarter: Iowa State 7, Kansas State 0
Iowa State strikes first on Rocco Becht touchdown pass
Rocco Becht hits Dominic Overby for a 23-yard touchdown pass to give Iowa State the first score of the 2025 college football season. The scoring drive goes four plays for 49 yards and takes 1:44 off the clock.
Becht completed three straight passes for 48 yards to set up the score.
Iowa State fumbles away chance to score
Abu Sama fumbles the ball on a toss and Kansas State jumps on the ball to force a turnover and prevent a score on second-and-goal. The Cyclones started the drive on the KSU 8-yard line and got gifted a first down on a pass interference on third-and-goal. The drive ends without a score.
Kansas State fumbles punt
Dylan Edwards fumbles a punt from Iowa State and the Cyclones will start with the ball at the KSU 8-yard line.
Iowa State-Kansas State set to kickoff
Kansas State won the toss and deferred to the second half. Iowa State will receive first to kick off the 2025 season.
Pregame
Kansas State-Iowa State injury report
Kansas State and Iowa State both enter the Aug. 23 Week 0 game with injuries. Here’s a look at the full injury report.
International college football games: History of series and matchups, from Cuba to Japan
When Harvard — credited with playing a substantial role in the growth of college football — played McGill University in a 1874 road game in Montreal, Quebec, it didn’t know it’d be setting the roadmap for future teams in the sport.
Iowa State and Kansas State will open the 2025 season with a Big 12 conference game in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic, in Week 0 on Saturday, Aug. 23. It’s one of a surprising number of college football games that have taken place in other countries, dating back to Harvard’s 3-0 win over McGill in 1874.
Avery Johnson vs Rocco Becht QB comparison
Avery Johnson is entering his second year as a full-time starter for the Wildcats, while Rocco Becht is entering his third year as a starter.
Here’s a look at the QB comparison between Kansas State and Iowa State:
Avery Johnson, KSU: 217-of-372 passing (58.3%) for 2,712 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2024
Rocco Becht, ISU: 271-of-456 passing (59.4%) for 3,505 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024
What to know about Aviva Stadium
Location: Dublin
Capacity: 49,000
Opened: 2010
What is ‘Farmageddon’? Kansas State-Iowa State football rivalry nickname, explained
Iowa State and Kansas State have played each other every year since 1917 in a battle that has been more recently dubbed ‘Farmageddon.’ Here’s what you need to know about the history of the nickname and its origin:
Read more here from USA TODAY Network writer Ehsan Kassim.
What time does Aer Lingus College Football Classic start?
Date: Saturday, Aug. 23
Time: Noon ET
Where: Aviva Stadium in Dublin
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is scheduled to start at noon ET on Saturday, Aug. 23 from Dublin, Ireland.
What TV channel is Aer Lingus College Football Classic on today?
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic will air nationally on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a cable login), ESPN+ and Fubo, the last of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Watch Aer Lingus Classic live with Fubo (free trial)
Aer Lingus College Football Classic predictions
Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Sports: Kansas State 28, Iowa State 24:
Avery Johnson accounts for a four-touchdown performance as the Wildcats snap a two-game Farmageddon losing streak.
Wyatt D. Wheeler, Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State 27, Iowa State 23
Travis Hines, Des Moines Register: Iowa State 31, Kansas State 21
Aer Lingus College Football Classic injury updates
This section will be updated.
Iowa State football schedule 2025
Here is Iowa State’s schedule for the 2025 season:
Saturday, Aug. 23: vs. No. 20 Kansas State* (in Dublin) | Noon | ESPN (ESPN+)
Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. South Dakota | 3:30 p.m. | Fox (Fubo)
Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Iowa | Noon | Fox (Fubo)
Saturday, Sept. 13: at Arkansas State | 4 p.m. | ESPN2 (ESPN+)
Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 27: vs. Arizona*
Saturday, Oct. 4: at Cincinnati*
Saturday, Oct. 11: at Colorado*
Saturday, Oct. 18: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. BYU*
Saturday, Nov. 1: vs. No. 11 Arizona State*
Saturday, Nov. 8: at TCU*
Saturday, Nov. 15: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 22: vs. Kansas*
Saturday, Nov. 29: at Oklahoma State*
*Denotes Big 12 Conference game
Kansas State football schedule 2025
Here is Kansas State’s schedule and results.
Saturday, Aug. 23: vs. No. 21 Iowa State* (in Dublin) | Noon | ESPN (ESPN+)
Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. North Dakota | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Army | 7 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Friday, Sept. 12: at Arizona | 9 p.m. | Fox (Fubo)
Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 27: vs. UCF*
Saturday, Oct. 4: at Baylor*
Saturday, Oct. 11: vs. TCU*
Saturday, Oct. 18: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 25: at Kansas*
Saturday, Nov. 1: vs. No. 24 Texas Tech*
Saturday, Nov. 8: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 15: at Oklahoma State*
Saturday, Nov. 22: at Utah*
Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. Colorado*
*Denotes Big 12 Conference game