D. Scott Fritchen
KStateSports.com
Kansas State has lost the first game of a regular season before. But the Wildcats haven't allowed that loss to beat them twice. At least not since 1989. Better believe No. 17 K-State will be out to rebound in a big-time way after suffering a 24-21 loss to No. 22 Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday.
In a matchup that pitted two old arch-rivals and was decided by a single score for a fourth-straight time in the series, K-State fell just short against an Iowa State team that jumped to an early lead in the Big 12 Conference race.
Now it's time to regroup.
As K-State head coach Chris Klieman said, "We have 11 more left."
It's a general sentiment that was shared by players and coaches in the offseason and in the week leading up to the season opener, and while nobody denied Iowa State was a big game, they knew that – win or lose – there was more in store in 2025.
Junior linebacker Austin Romaine reiterated that fact in the aftermath of Saturday's game
."It felt like a bigger game for us, but we just can't make this game bigger than what it is," he said. "Going into this week, we can't look back at this game because we'll get beat next weekend. We have to have a quick-turnaround mindset."
Junior defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi said: "This one game cannot define us."
K-State showed some bright spots in its season opener. On offense, Avery Johnson threw for more than 250 yards and two touchdowns and enjoyed the highest completion percentage of his career and the second-highest pass efficiency rating of his career. While the running game was limited with Dylan Edwards out due to injury, the Wildcats' two new wide receivers — Jerand Bradley and Jaron Tibbs — seemed to be perfect complements to Jayce Brown, as evidenced by Bradley's 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown against the Cyclones. Garrett Oakley continued to prove himself as one of the more dangerous tight ends in the Big 12. The offensive line featured a few new faces as well, but the line appeared solid.
"We just have to start faster if we want to win games," Johnson said, "especially against good teams like Iowa State."
On defense, K-State new starting cornerbacks Donovan McIntosh and Zashon Rich led the Wildcats with eight tackles apiece, while Romaine had eight stops as well. The Wildcats collected four quarterback sacks on Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht. Osunsanmi had two sacks, safety Qua Moss had one, and defensive end Chiddi Obiazor had one.
New kicker Luis Rodriguez has yet to attempt his first Division I field goal, but he made all of his extra points against the Cyclones.
Close loss? It hurts. There's plenty to build on from Dublin.
"It's up from here," Bradley said. "Knowing the team we are, we fought hard. We beat ourselves. K-State beat K-State. We know who we are."
K-State will work to get its legs back after its long trip back to Manhattan. The Wildcats will turn the page, and they will find an opponent — North Dakota — that they must beat in the home opener Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
North Dakota tied for eighth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2024, and it is now led by first-year head coach Eric Schmidt.
After a disappointing finish in the season opener, it appears Johnson and the Wildcats are ready to move forward this week.
"Guys have to go back, including myself, and take accountability," Johnson said. "Where can I be better today as a quarterback and as a leader? If everybody takes that mentality going into the week, we'll have a lot better outcome."