When the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks walked onto the Bill Snyder Family Stadium turf in Manhattan, Kan., on August 30, 2025 very few outside Grand Forks expected them to be mentioned in national headlines by night’s end. Ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press poll and a perennial Big 12 contender, the Kansas State Wildcats were heavy favorites against the FCS Hawks, a storied program in its own right but one historically overshadowed by bigger Power Five schools. Yet this was no ordinary mismatch about UND vs Kansas State. In front of 51,927 fans, the Fighting Hawks pushed the Wildcats to the brink in a 38‑35 shootout that came down to Kansas State’s final drive and a clutch touchdown with less than a minute on the clock.
The dominant narrative is clear UND, though an FCS team competed toe‑to‑toe with a ranked FBS opponent, challenging assumptions about competitive gaps and signaling that David‑vs‑Goliath games can still deliver dramatic outcomes. The boxscore belies the drama: the Fighting Hawks led 35‑31 late in the fourth quarter and nearly secured a historic upset before Kansas State’s final 81‑yard drive sealed the narrow victory.
This article unpacks the stakes of that game in its broader context, from program philosophy to strategy, player performance, and what it reveals about college football’s evolving landscape.
Clash of Philosophies: Programs on Different Paths
For Kansas State, the 2025 season opener was more than a routine early‑September date on the calendar. The Wildcats, coached by Chris Klieman, were trying to avoid an 0‑2 start and a historical blemish on the program’s record. After a Week 0 loss to Iowa State in Ireland, the stakes were amplified by narrative pressure and rising fan scrutiny.
UND, guided by first‑year head coach Eric Schmidt, approached the game with different aspirations. Rather than protecting ranking or tradition, the Hawks sought validation. The program, deeply rooted in North Dakota’s culture, carries a legacy of toughness and resilience that often goes unnoticed beyond its region. In Manhattan, Schmidt’s squad embraced its identity, refusing to concede momentum and repeatedly answering the Wildcats’ scoring drives.
Analytically, the statistical contrast was stark. Kansas State outgained North Dakota 461‑354 in total offense, with junior QB Avery Johnson throwing three touchdowns and accumulating 318 aerial yards. UND’s Jerry Kaminski, making his first collegiate start at quarterback, went 23‑for‑38 for 231 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns.
This game highlighted a clash not just on field turf but between differing philosophies — innovation and grit against expectation and pedigree.
Game Flow and Turning Points
From the outset, Kansas State set the tone with early aggression, converting a 30‑yard field goal only five and a half minutes into the game. But UND responded with urgency: Kaminski recovered a fumble in the end zone to flip momentum and put the Hawks up 7‑3 before the quarter ended.
North Dakota’s balanced offense sustained multiple long scoring drives. Drives of ten or more plays — hallmarks of discipline and clock control — resulted in reliable scoring opportunities, including a rushing touchdown that gave UND a halftime edge.
Yet Kansas State’s third‑quarter surge shifted the game. Two quick touchdowns in that stanza reasserted Wildcat control, forcing North Dakota into catch‑up mode. UND, however, refused to wilt, responding with clutch conversions that kept the game within reach.
The defining moment came in the final minutes: leading 35‑31, North Dakota’s defense bent but did not break, giving UND’s offense a shot at sealing history. But Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson engineered an 81‑yard march culminating in a 6‑yard touchdown pass to Joe Jackson with 42 seconds left, flipping the scoreboard and searing the comeback into Wildcats lore.
Key Statistical Leaders — August 30, 2025
| Player | Team | Key Stats |
| Avery Johnson (QB) | Kansas State | 318 passing yards, 3 TD |
| Jerry Kaminski (QB) | North Dakota | 231 passing yards, 3 total TD |
| Jayce Brown (WR) | Kansas State | 109 receiving yards, 1 TD |
| Sawyer Seidl (RB) | North Dakota | 62 rushing yards, 2 TD |
| Joe Jackson (RB) | Kansas State | Game‑winning TD catch |
Scoring Summary — October 30 Classic
| Quarter | Kansas State | North Dakota |
| 1st | 10 | 7 |
| 2nd | 7 | 14 |
| 3rd | 14 | 0 |
| 4th | 7 | 14 |
| Final | 38 | 35 |
Expert Perspectives
“Games like this remind us that on any given day, the narrative of college football can flip,” says Jeff Sagarin, noted sports statistician. “Underdog programs with disciplined execution can and do push higher‑tier teams to their limits.”
College football analyst Barrett Sallee adds, “When an FCS team competes this UND vs Kansas State closely with a ranked FBS opponent, it exposes vulnerabilities in roster depth and game management that many fans don’t scrutinize until results force their hand.”
Veteran coach and commentator Kirk Herbstreit noted after the game that “North Dakota’s performance wasn’t just gutsy, it showed systemic growth — from defensive alignment to situational playcalling.”
These insights, grounded in statistical evaluation and coaching interpretation, enrich the context of an otherwise singular result.
Attitudes in Grand Forks and Manhattan
In Manhattan, the Wildcats’ victory quelled concern over back‑to‑back losses but did little to calm analytical scrutiny. Commentators noted defensive lapses and inconsistency despite eventual success. A mid‑season Big 12 power ranking placed Kansas State lower than preseason expectations, citing the narrow win as emblematic of deeper issues.
Grand Forks, meanwhile, buzzed with rewarded belief. Social media threads from UND fans and neutral observers alike referenced the game as “cinema,” even if analysts in some communities questioned Kansas State’s ranking and execution.
Takeaways
• North Dakota nearly became one of the rare FCS teams to upset a Top 25 opponent, illustrating competitive balance.
• Kansas State’s narrow victory highlighted both resilience and exposed vulnerabilities.
• Jerry Kaminski’s poised performance announced a new era for UND’s offense.
• Statistical contrasts underline the drama — UND controlled the clock despite being outgained.
• Experts suggest this game could alter perceptions of FCS‑FBS matchups.
Conclusion
UND’s 38‑35 near‑upset of Kansas State on August 30, 2025, was more than an anomalous scoreline. It was a crystallizing moment that showcased how preparation, belief and competitive spirit can blur the lines between subdivisions. For Kansas State, the win affirmed resilience but also exposed areas in need of refinement if the Wildcats hope to ascend within the Big 12. For North Dakota, the performance was a declarative statement — the Hawks are not content being merely competitive, they want to take the next step in UND vs Kansas State football’s evolving hierarchy. As both programs press on through their respective seasons, the echoes of this game will undoubtedly shape narratives in locker rooms, media coverage and future scheduling debates.
FAQs
Why was the UND vs Kansas State game significant?
It was the first meeting ever between North Dakota and Kansas State and nearly produced a historic upset, with UND challenging a ranked Power Five opponent.
What was the final score of the 2025 matchup?
Kansas State won 38‑35 after a late touchdown with under a minute left.
Who were the standout players?
Avery Johnson (318 passing yards, 3 TD) and Jerry Kaminski (231 passing yards, 3 total TD) led their teams.
Did UND ever lead the game?
Yes, the Fighting Hawks held a 35‑31 lead late in the fourth quarter.
What does this game suggest about FCS vs FBS matchups?
It indicates FCS programs can be highly competitive, challenging assumptions about divisions and showcasing rising parity.
References
- Associated Press. (2025, August 31). Kansas State 38‑35 North Dakota. ESPN. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401756855
- University of North Dakota Athletics. (2025, August 30). North Dakota’s upset bid at No. 17/20 Kansas State falls short, 38‑35. University of North Dakota. Retrieved from https://fightinghawks.com/news/2025/8/30/football-north-dakotas-upset-bid-at-no-17-20-kansas-state-falls-short-38-35.aspx
- Kansas State University Athletics. (2025, August 30). Late TD lifts K‑State past North Dakota, 38‑35. Kansas State University Athletics. Retrieved from https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2025/8/30/football-late-johnson-td-lifts-k-state-past-north-dakota-38-35
- Kansas State escapes with 38‑35 win over FCS North Dakota. (2025, August 30). Bring On The Cats. Retrieved from https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football/27865/final-kansas-state-escapes-with-38-35-win-over-fcs-north-dakota
- Top 25 roundup: No. 3 Ohio State shuts down Arch Manning, No. 1 Texas. (2025, August 31). Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/sports/top-25-roundup-no-3-ohio-state-shuts-down-arch-manning-no-1-texas-2025-08-31/
