Matt Campbell explains decision for Iowa State to opt for
The 2025 college football season began 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 connected 14-14 heading into the 4th quarter, but Matt Campbell’s Cyclones outscored the Wildcats 10-7 over the last 15 minutes to steal the win.
Leading 24-21 with 2:26 remaining, the Iowa State offense was faced with a fourth & 3 on the Kansas State 16-yard line. Had they kicked a basket to increase their cause 27-21, the Wildcats would have tracked by just six with two minutes staying. The Cyclones however chose to risk it and go all out on fourth down, which exercised perfectly.
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht hung back and lofted a pass to running back Carson Hansen on his left, which he took 15 backyards down to the Wildcat one-yard line. It was originally called a goal, but was recalled after evaluation. They then kneeled the last two minutes out, protecting the 100th win of head coach Matt Campbell’s career.
Campbell entered into depth on the choice to go for the risky fourth-down conversion postgame.
“It worked so everybody feels good but the reality of it is that they didn’t have anymore timeouts,” Campbell said. “A basket may connect it and I just felt really confident due to the fact that we simply did a fantastic task on the last third-down conversion. You’re down there. If you need to go the length of the field I felt like we ‘d play respectable defense to put ourselves in a terrific circumstance to win the game.”
We really discussed that on Friday early morning as a staff and we kinda seemed like if we got ourselves because scenario we ‘d go and attempt to win the game. Coach (Offensive Organizer Taylor) Mouser did an excellent task and (quarterback) Rocco (Becht) did a fantastic job of execution there.”
Iowa State’s win was huge for Huge 12 regular season title hopes
Iowa State’s schedule nevertheless does not get any simpler following the big-win over the rival Wildcats, as it will now anticipate hosting No. 4 (FCS) South Dakota on Aug. 30 and competing Iowa on Sept. 6. Campbell likewise took some time to go over the Cyclones’ upcoming schedule postgame.
“I said this and if I make anybody mad I don’t care,” Campell stated. “I think we’re established for failure due to the fact that I think this is the hardest schedule in the nation. And the reality of it is that we go home and play an unbelievable South Dakota group that’s can be found in and they had a fantastic year. You’re talking about a group that’s in the last four (of the FCS Playoffs) and after that certainly you play another huge competition game that has feeling (Iowa). And after that somehow we’re on the roadway at an Arkansas State team that we know is super skilled. That’s the first quarter of our football season, and it’s gon na take whatever we have actually got.”
“Winning the game is terrific, but the truth of it is how we grow from this game. Can we handle the journey back home. Can we be ready for next Saturday? That amazing fanbase was incredible to have them tonight but we’re going to require them x10 every action of the method from here. Hopefully this will keep them coming.”
The Cyclones will be back in action on Aug. 30 in your home against the upset-minded Coyotes of South Dakota. Kick-off is arranged for 3:30 PM on FOX.