The countdown to the college football season is nearly over, and for Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson, the Wildcats’ season opener isn’t just a game—it’s personal. When K-State takes the field this Saturday in Dublin, Ireland, it won’t just be about international exposure, scenic backdrops, or the chance to play the first college football game of the season. For Johnson and the rest of the Wildcats, it’s about payback. Plain and simple.
Their opponent? The Iowa State Cyclones—a team that has haunted Kansas State in recent years, especially in their heated annual rivalry game known as “Farmageddon.” The Cyclones have claimed victory in four of the last five matchups, including the last two games, both of which were heart-wrenching, one-score losses for the Wildcats. That sting still lingers.
“Everybody is just ready to get back out there,” Johnson said in the days leading up to the game. “With it being Iowa State and them beating us the past two years, we’re really excited to be able to go get our revenge.”
That sentiment isn’t limited to Johnson. Across the locker room, there’s a shared sense of unfinished business. The Wildcats are carrying a chip on their shoulders, and this time, they’re determined not to let history repeat itself.
Last season’s 42-35 loss to Iowa State on senior day still stings, especially considering K-State outgained the Cyclones in total yardage. It was a similar story in 2023, when the Wildcats fell 29-21 despite moving the ball more effectively. Turnovers and missed opportunities were the culprits—Kansas State lost two fumbles in the 2024 matchup, while Iowa State played a clean game with zero turnovers. In 2023, it was the jaw-dropping performance from Cyclones running back Abu Sama, who shredded the Wildcats’ defense for 276 yards and three touchdowns—yes, in the middle of a snowstorm at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Johnson knows the key to flipping the script lies in the details. “Taking care of the football is the main thing,” he emphasized. In both losses, K-State arguably beat themselves, giving away possessions and failing to capitalize in crucial moments. Now, as they prepare to face their Big 12 rivals on foreign soil, the Wildcats are laser-focused on execution.
Coach Chris Klieman and his staff have undoubtedly circled this game on their calendar for months. Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell has had the upper hand for too long, and K-State is ready to change the narrative. More than just a season opener, this game offers an opportunity for redemption—a chance to wash away two seasons of frustration and send a message to the rest of the conference.
While the trip to Dublin offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience—complete with sightseeing, international travel, and a national spotlight—the Wildcats are treating this as a business trip. For Johnson, it’s not about the backdrop, the crowd, or the cameras. It’s about winning.
“It’s a big motivator for everybody,” he said. “I think it will come to show that our guys are hungrier. We still have a bad taste in our mouths, not just from last year, but the year before and the fashion that we lost those games. They were both one-score games, games that we had right in our hands.”
Now, with a new season on the horizon and revenge on their minds, Avery Johnson and the Kansas State Wildcats are ready to prove they’ve learned from the past—and that this time, they’re not leaving anything on the field.