Aug 23, 2025; Dublin, IRELAND; Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman during the Aer Lingus Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO via Imagn Images

‘Terrible’: Top 25 College Football Head Coach Taking Heat After Ugly Loss In Ireland

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 5:14 PM ET

No. 17 Kansas State blew an opportunity to make a big impression on the College Football Playoff committee with a Week 0 win. The Wildcats came out looking unprepared in a 24-21 loss to No. 22 Iowa State in front of 47,221 fans at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

KSU’s passing game was the strength of the offense, as quarterback Avery Johnson went 21-of-30 passing for 273 yards and two touchdowns. But the running game struggled, gaining only 110 yards on 27 carries. The Wildcats fumbled the ball four times and lost two of them.

A bad college football loss for Kansas State

With the loss, Kansas State will start the season 0-1, but importantly, they dropped the game to a Big 12 opponent. The sloppy way the offense played will not impress the CFP committee, and the Wildcats will have a long season to try and make up for the loss in Ireland.

Fans on X were upset with Wildcats head coach Chris Kleiman for not having his team ready to play the Cyclones. He also made a fatal mistake by going for it on 4th-and-1 from the KSU 30, which was stopped. Four plays later, the Cyclones scored a touchdown to make it 24-14 with 8:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Fans were upset with Chris Klieman

Iowa State player Carson Hansen is defended by Gunner Maldonado of Kansas State during the Aer Lingus Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO via Imagn Images

“I want to thank Chris Kleiman and Avery Johnson for this W. Master class on how to lose a game. Looooong flight back to Manhattan,” wrote a fan.

“Chris Kleiman has the worst late-game playcalling I’ve seen. I appreciate the balls to go for it but on your own 29 is not the place to do it. And then a QB run from the shotgun?” posted another.

“K-State fans are going to be talking about Chris Kleiman’s decision to go for it on fourth down at his own 29 all the way back home,” wrote a fan.

“Klieman is a terrible coach. One of the worst in the nation. Going for it, down only 3, from your own 28 with 3 TOs and 8 minutes to go is a fireable offense. Joke of a decision,” argued another.

“What a stupid decision by Chris Kleiman. 4th and 1, inside your own 30, with over 8 minutes left snd 3 timeouts,” believes a fan.

“Was at the game. Not sure Kleiman shouldn’t be fired. Terrible play calling. Bad WR play,” posted another.

Aug 23, 2025; Dublin, IRELAND; Iowa State player Abu Sama III is tackled by Donovan McIntosh of of Kansas State during the Aer Lingus Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO via Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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