Introduction
Looking for the complete Iowa State Cyclones football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats? You’re in the right place.
This breakdown covers every key number from the two teams’ most recent meeting — the August 23, 2025 season opener at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland — including passing yards, rushing totals, receiving numbers, and the defensive plays that decided the game.
Whether you’re a fantasy football manager, a betting bettor checking box scores, or just a die-hard fan of the Farmageddon rivalry, this article gives you the numbers that mattered and the context behind them.
Game Overview: Iowa State 24, Kansas State 21
Iowa State opened the 2025 season with a 24-21 win over Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. At the time, <cite index=”1-1″>Iowa State was ranked No. 22 and Kansas State was ranked No. 17</cite>.
Quick facts about the matchup:
- Date: August 23, 2025
- Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
- Attendance: <cite index=”2-1″>47,221 fans</cite>
- Final Score: Iowa State 24, Kansas State 21
- Result: Iowa State improved to 1-0 (1-0 Big 12); Kansas State fell to 0-1 (0-1 Big 12)
This game is part of the ongoing Farmageddon rivalry between the two Big 12 programs, and <cite index=”3-1″>Iowa State has now beaten Kansas State in five of the past six seasons</cite>, extending its recent dominance in the series.
Iowa State Cyclones Football vs Kansas State Wildcats Football Match Player Stats
Here’s the full statistical picture from both sidelines.
Passing Stats
| Player | Team | Comp/Att | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocco Becht (QB) | Iowa State | 14/28 | 183 | 2 |
| Avery Johnson (QB) | Kansas State | 21/30 | 273 | 2 |
<cite index=”6-1″>Rocco Becht finished 14-of-28 passing for 183 yards and two touchdowns</cite>, while <cite index=”6-1″>Avery Johnson went 21-of-30 for 273 yards and two touchdowns of his own</cite>. Johnson out-threw Becht in raw yardage, but Becht’s efficiency in big moments — especially on scoring drives — made the difference.
Becht also added a rushing touchdown, showing up as a dual-threat weapon when Iowa State needed it most.
Rushing Stats
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Hansen (RB) | Iowa State | 16 | 71 |
| Joe Jackson (RB) | Kansas State | 12 | 51 |
<cite index=”1-1″>Carson Hansen led Iowa State with 71 rushing yards on 16 carries</cite>, and his production came alive in the second half after a slow, rain-soaked start. <cite index=”6-1″>Iowa State “finally found open space in the run game in the second half”</cite>, with Hansen as the workhorse.
On the Kansas State side, <cite index=”1-1″>Joe Jackson carried the ball 12 times for 51 yards</cite>.
Receiving Stats
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brett Eskildsen (WR) | Iowa State | 3 | 46 | 1 |
| Jayce Brown (WR) | Kansas State | 4 | 78 | 1 |
<cite index=”1-1″>Brett Eskildsen caught 3 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown for Iowa State</cite>, while <cite index=”1-1″>Jayce Brown hauled in 4 catches for 78 yards and a score for Kansas State</cite>.
Dominic Overby also factored in for the Cyclones, catching a 23-yard touchdown pass from Becht in the first quarter — the game’s opening score.
Defensive Stats
| Player | Team | Stat |
|---|---|---|
| K. Ebel (LB) | Iowa State | 1 sack |
| T. Osunsanmi (DE) | Kansas State | 2 sacks |
| M. Neal Jr. (DB) | Iowa State | 8 tackles (4 solo) |
| D. McIntosh (CB) | Kansas State | 8 tackles (5 solo) |
<cite index=”1-1″>M. Neal Jr. led Iowa State with 8 total tackles, including 4 solo stops</cite>, and <cite index=”1-1″>D. McIntosh matched that with 8 tackles for Kansas State, including 5 solo</cite>. On the pass rush, <cite index=”1-1″>Iowa State’s K. Ebel recorded one sack while Kansas State’s T. Osunsanmi posted two</cite>.
Team Totals Comparison
| Stat | Iowa State | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | <cite index=”1-1″>313</cite> | <cite index=”1-1″>383</cite> |
| First Downs | <cite index=”1-1″>19</cite> | <cite index=”1-1″>13</cite> |
| Turnovers | <cite index=”1-1″>2</cite> | <cite index=”1-1″>2</cite> |
| 3rd Down Conversions | <cite index=”1-1″>3/14</cite> | <cite index=”1-1″>5/13</cite> |
| 4th Down Conversions | <cite index=”1-1″>3/3</cite> | <cite index=”1-1″>1/4</cite> |
| Time of Possession | <cite index=”1-1″>33:52</cite> | 26:08 |
This table tells the real story of the game. Kansas State actually gained more total yards, but Iowa State’s 4th-down aggression was the deciding factor — the Cyclones converted 3 of 3 fourth-down tries, while the Wildcats managed just 1 of 4.
How Iowa State Sealed the Win
Iowa State’s game plan leaned heavily on situational football rather than pure yardage. A few key moments defined the outcome:
- A muffed punt turned momentum early. <cite index=”6-1″>Kansas State starting running back Dylan Edwards dropped a punt and was injured on the play, forcing him out for the rest of the game</cite>.
- Fourth-down aggression paid off repeatedly. <cite index=”6-1″>Iowa State stuffed Kansas State on multiple fourth-down attempts and converted a crucial one of its own late in the game</cite>.
- The clinching drive. With 2:26 left, <cite index=”3-1″>Iowa State coach Matt Campbell chose to go for it on fourth-and-3 at the Kansas State 16-yard line instead of kicking a field goal</cite>. <cite index=”3-1″>Becht found Carson Hansen for a 15-yard gain to seal the win</cite>.
- Weather played a role. <cite index=”3-1″>Both teams struggled with wet conditions in the first half</cite>, which contributed to four total fumbles between the two squads in the opening two quarters.
Iowa State vs Kansas State: Head-to-Head Rivalry Context
Iowa State and Kansas State compete in what’s known as the Farmageddon rivalry, and the recent history clearly favors the Cyclones. <cite index=”3-1″>Iowa State has beaten Kansas State in five of the past six seasons</cite>, a trend head coach Matt Campbell pointed to after the win, noting it’s an early but meaningful data point for a long season.
The two programs also share recent Big 12 postseason history — <cite index=”3-1″>the matchup featured the past two champions of the Pop-Tarts Bowl</cite>, adding an extra layer of storyline to the rivalry.
Fantasy Football and Betting Takeaways
If you’re tracking these players for fantasy or betting purposes, here’s what stood out:
- Rocco Becht delivered a well-rounded stat line (passing + rushing TD), making him valuable in any format that rewards dual-threat quarterbacks.
- Avery Johnson put up bigger raw passing numbers but couldn’t finish drives as efficiently in the red zone.
- Carson Hansen is worth monitoring as Iowa State’s clear lead back, especially in short-yardage and fourth-down packages.
- Jayce Brown was Kansas State’s most productive receiver and a name to track going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Iowa State vs Kansas State football game? Iowa State won 24-21 in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 23, 2025, played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
Who was the leading passer in the Iowa State vs Kansas State game? Avery Johnson of Kansas State led all passers with 273 yards on 21-of-30 passing, though Rocco Becht of Iowa State also threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score.
Who led both teams in rushing yards? Carson Hansen led Iowa State with 71 rushing yards on 16 carries. Joe Jackson led Kansas State with 51 yards on 12 carries.
How many times has Iowa State beaten Kansas State recently? Iowa State has won five of the last six meetings against Kansas State, continuing its recent edge in the Farmageddon rivalry.
Where was the Iowa State vs Kansas State game played? The game was played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, drawing an announced crowd of 47,221.
Conclusion
The Iowa State Cyclones football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats from their August 23, 2025 clash show a game decided less by total yardage and more by situational execution. Rocco Becht’s efficient, multi-dimensional performance and Iowa State’s fearless fourth-down calls were the difference in a 24-21 win over a ranked Kansas State team.
Want more matchup breakdowns like this one? Check back for updated player stats, box scores, and rivalry history as the Big 12 season progresses.
Also read Golden State Warriors vs Brooklyn Nets Match Player Stats: Full Box Score Breakdown