The stage was finally set for Farmageddon in Dublin, as the No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats took on the No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones in a rainy slugfest.
Fumbles occurred many times in the game as the rainy weather conditions significantly contributed to mishaps for both offenses. One mishap came in the first quarter when running back Dylan Edwards got ready to return an Iowa State punt but dropped the ball, allowing Iowa State a chance to score right after going three and out.
The K-State front seven held strong, creating a turnover in clutch fashion. Linebacker Austin Romain recovered a fumble, giving K-State momentum. Iowa State would get on the board first, though, as quarterback Rocco Becht found wide receiver Dominic Overby open for a 23-yard touchdown pass to go up 7-0.
The Wildcats and quarterback Avery Johnson got things tied up 7-7 to start the second quarter, as Johnson ran in for a 10-yard touchdown. Things looked to be shifting drastically for K-State in the second quarter as the defense continued to create pressure.
Becht was sacked by K-State safety Qua Moss, who also forced a fumble on the play. Later on, the Wildcats would also fumble the ball in what was a second-quarter defensive showdown between both teams.
The Cyclones would score in the third quarter to take the lead, as Becht found wide receiver Brett Eskildsen for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Wildcats responded quickly with a 37-yard touchdown from wide receiver Jayce Brown. The game was knotted up 14-14.
In the fourth quarter, Iowa State went up by three points with a 34-yard field goal from kicker Kyle Konrardy. The next drive, the Wildcats found themselves in a 4th and 1 situation and went for it. Johnson would try to rush for the one-yard gain, but it was no good.
Iowa State’s offense did not let its defense down after the huge stop, as Becht rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to take a 24-14 lead with 6:38 left in the game. Johnson and wide receiver Jerand Bradley would connect on a 65-yard touchdown as the K-State offense scored in just one drive.
Iowa State ran the clock out with the help of running back Carson Hanson, who became more vocal in the Cyclones’ offense in the second half. Iowa State converted on 4th and three as Becht found Hanson for a 15-yard pass, giving K-State no chance to score as all timeouts had been used. The Cyclones won 24-21, sealing a big win against a notable conference rival in K-State.
Edwards suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of the game; he would not return. Johnson finished with 273 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Running back Joe Jackson stepped in for Edwards and rushed for 51 yards. Both Brown and Bradley finished with 70-plus yards and a touchdown.
K-State will look to bounce back as the Wildcats will fly back home from Ireland to Bill Snyder Family Stadium to take on North Dakota at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30.
