The 2025 college football season kicked off with a bang Saturday afternoon as No. 22 Iowa State held off No. 17 Kansas State 24-21 in the Aer Lingus Classic in Dublin, Ireland. The game was tied 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter, but Matt Campbell‘s Cyclones outscored the Wildcats 10-7 over the final 15 minutes to steal the win. […]
The 2025 college football season kicked off with a bang Saturday afternoon as No. 22 Iowa State held off No. 17 Kansas State 24-21 in the Aer Lingus Classic in Dublin, Ireland. The game was tied 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter, but Matt Campbell‘s Cyclones outscored the Wildcats 10-7 over the final 15 minutes to steal the win.
The win notched the 100th of Campbell’s coaching career and his 65th at Iowa State. As the head coach of the Cyclones, he is now 46-36 against Big 12 competition and 14-24 against ranked opponents.
Iowa State‘s schedule however does not get any easier following the big-win over the rival Wildcats, as it will now look forward to hosting No. 4 (FCS) South Dakota on Aug. 30 and rival Iowa on Sept. 6. Campbell took time to discuss the Cyclones’ upcoming schedule following the win on Saturday.
“I said this and if I make anyone mad I don’t care,” Campell said. “I think we’re set up for failure because I think this is the hardest schedule in the country. And the reality of it is that we go home and play an incredible South Dakota team that’s coming in and they had a great year. You’re talking about a team that’s in the final four (of the FCS Playoffs) and then obviously you play another huge rivalry game that has emotion (Iowa). And then somehow we’re on the road at an Arkansas State team that we know is super talented. That’s the first quarter of our football season, and it’s gonna take everything we’ve got.”
“I think our kids know that and we’ve talked about that. It’s not an excuse. Nobody really cares and we don’t care, but we know that it’s the schedule at hand. It’s gonna take everything we’ve got the ability to do to be our best at the moment. It’s a great challenge.”
“Winning the game is great, but the reality of it is how we grow from this game. Can we handle the trip back home. Can we be ready for next Saturday? That unbelievable fanbase was awesome to have them tonight but we’re going to need them x10 every step of the way from here. Hopefully this will keep them coming.”
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht was spectacular in the Dublin win, as he passed for 183 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 18 yards and another score. Becht and the Cyclones will be back in action next Saturday against the upset-minded Coyotes of South Dakota.
Category: General Sports
