No. 22 Iowa State survived a late comeback from No. 17 Kansas State to win a 24-21 slugfest and capture the first victory of the 2025 season at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. The Cyclones converted on a critical fourth-and-3 to win a third straight game against Kansas State.

After K-State answered with a quick touchdown, Iowa State marched down the field and faced a 4th and 3 from the Wildcats' 16 with just over 2 minutes left. The Cyclones went for it, with Rocco Becht finding a wide-open Carson Hansen, who got the first. Iowa State was able to kneel the clock out for the win.

Chris Klieman and the Kansas State Wildcats open the 2025 football season in Ireland with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic against Iowa State at Aviva Stadium. A Week 0 showdown, the game will reverberate throughout the Big 12 regardless of the result, as quarterback Avery Johnson looks to leave his mark in Manhattan.