Iowa State, Kansas State opt out of college football bowl games
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas State Wildcats paid the price for deciding to opt out of college football play on Sunday.
The Big 12 Conference announced it was fining the two schools $500,000 for their decisions.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Iowa State Cyclones running back Abu Sama III #24 against Kansas State Wildcats safety Logan Bartley #10 during the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic game between Kansas State University and Iowa State University at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
“The Big 12 Conference is imposing $500,000 institutional fines on Iowa State and Kansas State for relinquishing their participation in the Conference’s bowl pool,” the conference said in a statement. The statement was included.
“While the conference recognizes the difficult timing of the coaching changes, the Big 12 is responsible for meeting its contractual obligations to its bowl partners.”
Iowa State finished the season 8-4 and Kansas State finished the season 6-6. Both teams qualified for the bowl because they reached six wins. But both schools found themselves in an awkward situation.
Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement earlier in the week and Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell has decided to head to Penn State.
PENN STATE HIRING MATT CAMPBELL FROM IOWA STATE AS THE NEXT HEAD COACH: REPORTS
Avery Johnson of the Kansas State Wildcats gestures during the 2025 Aer Lingus Classic game between Kansas State and Iowa State at Aviva Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Iowa State officials and the previous coaching staff met with players Sunday to gauge their interest in participating in the bowl game.
“The administrative staff and coaches respect and support the players’ decisions,” said Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard. “Our student-athletes have had an incredible season, and we are grateful for their leadership as we walk through this process with them today.”
Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor said he spoke with Wildcats players and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark before making the decision.
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht (3) looks to throw a pass during the second half of the NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“This decision was not made lightly, but with the turnover of our coaching staff and some uncertainty regarding player availability, I felt it was not in our best interest to field a team that did not represent Kansas State University,” Taylor said. “We applaud this group for once again leading us to bowl eligibility as they battled to a 2-4 record, and we are happy that our seniors were able to come out on top with a victory at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
