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Matt Campbell explains decision for Iowa State to go for game-ending fourth down vs. Kansas State

Danby: Daniel Hager7 hours agoDanielHagerOn3
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© INPHO via Imagn Images

The 2025 college football season kicked off 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 tied 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter, but Matt Campbell‘s Cyclones outscored the Wildcats 10-7 over the final 15 minutes to steal the win.

Leading 24-21 with 2:26 remaining, the Iowa State offense was faced with a 4th & 3 on the Kansas State 16-yard line. Had they kicked a field goal to increase their lead to 27-21, the Wildcats would have trailed by just six with two minutes remaining. The Cyclones however decided to risk it and go for it on fourth down, which worked out perfectly.

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht dropped back and lofted a pass to running back Carson Hansen on his left, which he took 15 yards down to the Wildcat one-yard line. It was originally called a touchdown, but was called back after review. They then kneeled the final two minutes out, securing the 100th win of head coach Matt Campbell‘s career.

Campbell went into depth on the decision 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 any more timeouts,” Campbell said. “A field goal may tie it and I just felt really confident because we just did a great job on the last third-down conversion. You’re down there. If you have to go the length of the field I felt like we’d play pretty good defense to put ourselves in a great situation to win the game.”

We actually talked about that on Friday morning as a staff and we kinda felt like if we got ourselves in that situation we’d go and try to win the game. Coach (Offensive Coordinator Taylor) Mouser did a great job and (quarterback) Rocco (Becht) did a great job of execution there.”

Iowa State’s win was massive for Big 12 regular season title hopes

Iowa State‘s schedule however does not get any easier following the big-win over the rival Wildcats, as it will now look forward to hosting No. 4 (FCS) South Dakota on Aug. 30 and rival Iowa on Sept. 6. Campbell also took time to discuss the Cyclones’ upcoming schedule postgame.

“I said this and if I make anyone mad I don’t care,” Campell said. “I think we’re set up for failure because I think this is the hardest schedule in the country. And the reality of it is that we go home and play an incredible South Dakota team that’s coming in and they had a great year. You’re talking about a team that’s in the final four (of the FCS Playoffs) and then obviously you play another huge rivalry game that has emotion (Iowa). And then somehow we’re on the road at an Arkansas State team that we know is super talented. That’s the first quarter of our football season, and it’s gonna take everything we’ve got.”

“Winning the game is great, but the reality of it is how we grow from this game. Can we handle the trip back home. Can we be ready for next Saturday? That unbelievable fanbase was awesome to have them tonight but we’re going to need them x10 every step of the way from here. Hopefully this will keep them coming.”

The Cyclones will be back in action on Aug. 30 at home against the upset-minded Coyotes of South Dakota. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM on FOX.