When you fly all the way across the Atlantic to Ireland for a hyped-up rivalry game, the least you can do is show up. Unfortunately for Kansas State, the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic turned into a three-hour comedy show in which the Wildcats were the punchline. Iowa State didn’t just beat them 17-14 in Aviva Stadium — they exposed Kansas State as a team that can’t get out of its own way when it matters most.
So, Kansas State fans, pack your purple shirts and your excuses back into your carry-ons, because Dublin wasn’t kind to you.
A Rivalry Called Farmageddon — But Only One Farm Had Fertile Soil
The Kansas State vs. Iowa State matchup is affectionately called Farmageddon, a battle of Midwest pride, cornfields, and stubborn determination. Except in this version, it looked more like Iowa State brought the tractors and Kansas State brought toy rakes from a Dollar Store clearance bin.
The Cyclones, led by the steady hand of Rocco Becht, outplayed Kansas State in the moments that actually mattered. Sure, the scoreboard says it was close — a measly 17-14 — but don’t let that fool you. This wasn’t a noble, hard-fought Kansas State near-miss. It was more like a masterclass in self-sabotage: penalties, fumbles, missed opportunities. The Wildcats basically ran an internship in How to Lose a Football Game 101.
Avery Johnson: The “New Era” QB Who Forgot to Pack His Game
Kansas State fans spent the offseason hyping up Avery Johnson, their golden-haired quarterback and first-year starter. “He’s the future! He threw for 25 touchdowns last year! He’s our guy!” they shouted proudly on message boards and tailgate podcasts.
But on the biggest stage of his young career, in a historic matchup across the ocean, Johnson looked less like a star quarterback and more like a nervous tourist who just realized they left their passport at the hotel. Every drive felt like a trip to the airport security line: long, tedious, and ending with someone yelling “Next!”
If this is the future of Kansas State football, then the Wildcats might want to invest in a time machine to go back to the Will Howard days.
Iowa State’s Stars Actually Showed Up
Contrast that with Iowa State.
- Rocco Becht didn’t need to put up monster numbers; he simply played smart, threw accurate passes, and didn’t implode under pressure. That’s called competence, something Kansas State fans may need to Google.
- Chase Sowell, the Cyclones’ star wideout, kept the Wildcats defense on its heels. Every time he lined up, Kansas State defenders looked like they were asking each other, “Wait, are you covering him?” Spoiler: no one really did.
- Carson Hansen? Oh, he just kept bulldozing his way through purple jerseys like they were polite Irish pub-goers stepping aside for a pint.
Meanwhile, Kansas State’s offense sputtered so badly that even the Dublin crowd, which included plenty of curious locals trying to figure out this strange American sport, could tell who the bad team was.
A Defensive “Battle” or Just Offensive Incompetence?
The final score was 17-14, and Kansas State fans will probably tell themselves, “It was a defensive slugfest!” No, my friends. It was a display of offensive incompetence. Both teams tripped over themselves at times, but Kansas State managed to do it louder, clumsier, and in ways that directly cost them the game.
Missed field position opportunities? Check.
Drive-killing penalties? Double check.
Fumbles at the worst possible times? Triple check with an extra scoop of humiliation.
If Farmageddon is supposed to be about grit and execution, Kansas State must have thought the assignment was slapstick comedy.
Dublin Welcomed College Football — Kansas State Forgot to RSVP
Aviva Stadium, with its 51,700-seat capacity, was packed with fans from both the U.S. and Ireland. ESPN’s cameras captured the electric atmosphere, and the Aer Lingus College Football Classic had the perfect setting for an international showcase.
Iowa State embraced it. They brought the energy, adjusted to the stage, and delivered when it counted. Kansas State? They might as well have still been on the plane, arguing with the flight attendant about whether their carry-on counted as a personal item.
This was supposed to be Kansas State’s chance to plant their purple flag on the Emerald Isle. Instead, the only thing they planted was seeds of doubt about whether this team can handle pressure.
Let’s Talk About That Fourth-Quarter Collapse
Here’s the part that really stings. The game was tied late, and all Kansas State needed was discipline and composure. Instead, they folded faster than a cheap umbrella in an Irish rainstorm.
Iowa State lined up, drilled a clutch field goal in the fourth quarter, and that was that. Kansas State had their chance to respond, but their offense sputtered like a rental car running out of gas on the M50.
Final: Iowa State 17, Kansas State 14. Cue the Cyclone fans celebrating and the Wildcats making excuses about “growing pains.”
Kansas State’s Excuse Tour, Coming to a Stadium Near You
You can already hear the excuses bubbling up in Manhattan, Kansas:
- “It was only the first game of the season.”
- “Traveling to Ireland threw off the team’s rhythm.”
- “The refs were biased!”
- “We’re still adjusting to Avery Johnson.”
Sorry, Wildcats fans, but excuses don’t erase the scoreboard. Iowa State beat you fair and square, in front of an international audience, in a game that will be remembered not for your resilience, but for your comedy of errors.
Iowa State Earned This
Credit where it’s due: Iowa State came into this game as underdogs in the eyes of many, but they walked out of Aviva Stadium with a win that sets the tone for their season. Rocco Becht showed leadership. Chase Sowell proved he’s a nightmare matchup. Carson Hansen reminded everyone he’s a touchdown machine.
And most importantly: they won Farmageddon. On foreign soil. With the whole college football world watching.
What’s Next?
For Iowa State, this is momentum. They’ve got proof they can handle the big stage and grind out wins when the pressure mounts.
For Kansas State? Well, let’s just say their coaches have a lot of film to review. And if Avery Johnson doesn’t improve fast, Wildcat fans may spend the season daydreaming about what could have been instead of what is.
Final Thoughts: A Purple Faceplant in Dublin
At the end of the day, this “Farmageddon” clash in Dublin will go down in history — not just for being the first overseas meeting of these rivals, but for Kansas State’s spectacular failure to rise to the occasion.
Iowa State made the trip worthwhile. Kansas State? They left with a loss, a bruised ego, and a boarding pass back to reality.
So here’s the headline, Wildcats fans: You went to Ireland for Farmageddon, and all you got was an Irish beating and a T-shirt.
Better luck next year — but something tells me Iowa State will have the last laugh again.