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.

In what turned out to be a defensive struggle, the Wildcats dropped their season opener to the Cyclones in Ireland.

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.