I know a lot of Kansas State football fans would like to move on from 2025.
And there's a good reason why. A year that started off with the promise of potential playoff expectations quickly simmered into the most miserable season in recent memory. ESPN, a prominent advocate for the Wildcats heading into the year, ranked them the seventh-most disappointing team in college football.
The article wrote:
"Whoever loses in Ireland is evidently doomed. Unlike Florida State in 2024 and Nebraska in 2022, Kansas State only briefly collapsed following its loss to Iowa State in Dublin, but by the time the Wildcats found their footing, they were 2-4 and just hoping for a .500 finish. They got there, but an exhausted team passed on a bowl bid, and coach Chris Klieman retired."
Before the season, Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson declared anything less than a 2025 conference championship as a failure.
Unfortunately, the team fell way short of that. After an opening-round loss to Iowa State, the title odds and playoff hopes already plummeted. And by Week 4, they were all but gone. Devastating losses to Army and Arizona had the team looking lifeless and vulnerable. Even the victory over FCS North Dakota was uninspiring and ultimately could have ended in a disastrous loss. As the season developed, Kansas State was just fighting to avoid a losing season rather than actually competing.
Star running back Dylan Edwards' opening-week loss deteriorated the run game, forcing complementary back Joe Jackson to step into the spotlight. In addition, many hinged a better year on Johnson's improvement as a signal-caller. He dropped in many statistical categories, posting just 2,385 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while rushing for 477 yards and eight touchdowns. His failure to elevate his game held back the Wildcats' offense, which struggled early in the season.
As for the defense, Joe Klanderman's unit turned the ball over frequently but couldn't stop big plays or long rushing drives. The defense allowed 26.7 points/game, the most since 2020, Chris Klieman's only losing season at Kansas State.
Johnson wants to wash away this season and focus on next year. He has announced his return to Manhattan, KS, in 2026, citing loose ends as his biggest motivation at Kansas State.
"There is unfinished business here, and I'm not done yet," Johnson said in an Instagram statement. "This place, this program, and this fanbase mean everything to me. The relationships I've built, the culture we've created, and the goals we still have ahead of us are too important to walk away from. I believe in this team. I believe in our coaches. And I believe the best is still ahead."