Iowa State opened the 2025-26 college football season with a 24-21 victory over Kansas State in Dublin on Saturday, prevailing in the only top-25 matchup of Week 0. The result, secured before a sell-out crowd at Aviva Stadium, gives the Cyclones a 5-1 record against the Wildcats since 2020 and marks the program’s first win outside North America. Quarterback Rocco Becht threw three touchdown passes, including the campaign’s inaugural score—a short strike to wide-out Dominic Overby—and a 24-yard fade to Brett Eskildsen early in the fourth quarter. Eskildsen’s catch was the sophomore’s first collegiate touchdown. Kansas State signal-caller Avery Johnson matched Becht with three touchdowns of his own, highlighted by a 37-yard connection to wide receiver Jayce Brown that briefly tied the game at 21-all. Sloppy play dominated the early stages of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards muffed the season’s first punt, and both teams lost two fumbles apiece in a rain-soaked first half that ended 7-7. Offenses settled after the break, producing four touchdowns in a six-minute span of the fourth quarter before Iowa State’s defense held on downs to seal the win. The contest was the second consecutive FBS season opener staged in Ireland, underscoring college football’s growing international profile. Iowa State returns to Ames next week to host Northern Iowa, while Kansas State travels to Fresno State.