NCAAF
DUBLIN, Ireland — If the Big 12 is a knife fight this season, Iowa State just proved they brought a sharper blade — and the guts to use it.
In front of a soggy Aviva Stadium crowd and 11,000 drenched-but-dedicated Cyclones fans who crossed the Atlantic, No. 22 Iowa State outlasted No. 17 Kansas State 24-21 in a Week 0 slugfest that was part rugby scrum, part quarterback showcase, and all vibes.
Forget Guinness — the drink of choice in this Irish brawl was fourth-down conversion juice. And Matt Campbell had the flask.
The first half was a football gremlin’s fever dream: pouring rain, four combined fumbles, field paint literally washing away, and a muffed punt that led to a potential scoop-and-score opportunity — until Iowa State fumbled that away at the 1-yard line like a wet bar of soap.
Halftime score? A gross, sticky 7-7.
But then came the cleansing. Both teams wiped off the butterfingers and dialed up the fireworks. The final two quarters saw 31 points, zero turnovers, and a flurry of highlight-reel throws, none bigger than a gutsy Rocco Becht 4th-and-3 swing pass to Carson Hansen that sealed the win and left Kansas State with nothing but rainwater and regret.
Let’s be real — there were questions about Iowa State’s offense heading into this one. With both of Becht’s go-to wideouts from last season (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel) now catching NFL paychecks in Houston, this was supposed to be a “prove-it” game for the Cyclones' QB.
He proved it.
Becht finished 14-of-28 for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns, but that stat line doesn’t tell the story. He was harassed all game (sacked 5 times, fumbled once), but never unraveled. When it mattered, Becht was ice — finding second-year receivers Dominic Overby and Brett Eskildsen for their first career touchdowns, then calling game with a perfectly timed screen pass to Hansen on the final fourth down.
Oh, and he also ran one in himself, dragging defenders on a 7-yard score that turned out to be the game-winner.
Head coach Matt Campbell wasn’t subtle postgame: “Our quarterback gives me a lot of confidence, and he’s a great football player.” Facts.
Forget the conservative Matt Campbell narrative. The man played to win in Dublin.
Down the stretch, with a chance to kick a field goal and go up 6 with 2:30 left, Campbell kept the offense on the field. It was 4th-and-3 at the K-State 16. Most coaches trot out the kicker and pray.
Campbell gave the keys to Becht. And Becht delivered.
Then came the cherry on top: After the first-down gain, Carson Hansen nearly scored but was ruled down at the 1-yard line. Becht wanted to punch it in. Campbell said nah — situational football. Three kneels later, ISU had its third straight win over the Wildcats, and Campbell had his 100th career dub.
Becht joked after the game: “I was just giving [Coach Campbell] the option… but credit to him for taking the win and getting out of here.” College football’s version of “I’m just saying…”
Kansas State’s offense was built around dynamism — and losing running back Dylan Edwards early was a gut punch they never quite recovered from.
Edwards muffed the game’s first punt, then limped off with what appeared to be a left ankle injury. He never returned. Without his speed and versatility, the Wildcats leaned on sophomore Joe Jackson, who was steady (but not scary). Edwards' absence loomed large when K-State failed to get rhythm in the red zone and whiffed on two crucial fourth downs.
And that’s the story here. While Avery Johnson flashed brilliance — 37 and 65-yard touchdown bombs in the fourth quarter — he was also stuffed cold on 4th-and-2 at his own 29 with 8:19 to go. That gamble set up Iowa State’s final TD and ultimately buried the Cats.
Would it have played out differently with Edwards in the backfield? Probably. But Big 12 football doesn’t do what-ifs.
For Iowa State, this is more than just a Week 0 win. It’s a tone-setter. A proof-of-concept. A Big 12 opening salvo that says, “We're still here, and we’re still nasty.”
Becht showed he’s not just a system QB. The defense hit like a truck. And Matt Campbell? He’s still that dude — and apparently owns real estate in Chris Klieman’s head (6-4 lifetime vs KSU, 3 straight dubs).
For Kansas State, it's a frustrating but not fatal loss. They gave up their home game to play in Ireland, lost their top offensive weapon early, and still had a chance late. But if they want to get back to the Big 12 title game, they’ll need better ball security, sharper execution, and, most importantly, a healthy Dylan Edwards.
Farmageddon in Dublin felt less like a rivalry game and more like a Hollywood script soaked in rainwater and chaos.
There was drama. There was risk. There were fourth downs that defied reason and defined the result.
And in the end, there was Rocco Becht, victorious, poised, and maybe a little salty that he didn’t get to punch it in one more time.
Ireland got a show. The Big 12 got fireworks. And Iowa State? They got the dub.
Sláinte, Cyclones. You earned it.
A better brand, built by Vaughn & Co. ©
