FRISCO, Texas — Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell says the Cyclones’ international season opener against Kansas State in Ireland will test every aspect of the program’s preparation and identity.
Speaking Tuesday at Big 12 Media Day in Frisco, Campbell said the August 23 matchup in Dublin — one of college football’s headline Week Zero games — is both an honor and a unique challenge for Iowa State football.
“You know, when you look at the start of the college football season, I think you look first and foremost, and you’re very honored to play in this game, and obviously the respect that myself and our kids have for Kansas State and being a rival game, and respect for their program and their players, you know, it just makes it a really unique opportunity,” Campbell said.
The Cyclones and Wildcats will open the 2025 season as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, a 47,000-seat venue configured for American football. It will be Iowa State’s first international football game and the first Big 12 Conference matchup ever played in Ireland. Kansas State has played just one other game outside the United States — a 1992 game in Tokyo against Nebraska.
The rivalry adds extra intrigue. Iowa State and Kansas State will meet for the 108th time at the end of the 2024 regular season before turning around to face each other again in the Week Zero kickoff abroad. The Aug. 23 matchup will be the sixth college football game ever held at Aviva Stadium and the 10th all-time in Ireland.
Campbell said the staff began planning back in January, adjusting Iowa State’s spring and summer calendars to handle the travel, the time zone changes and the physical toll of playing so far from home so early in the season.
“I almost feel like since…
Source link : https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/iowa-states-matt-campbell-details-preparation-week-zero-ireland-game-vs-kansas-state/8b1fc3dde1c1e587176f6f81
Author :
Publish date : 2025-07-08 18:49:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
