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The Kansas State football team fell to Big 12 rival Iowa State over the weekend in its season debut. Star running back Dylan Edwards exited the contest early in the first quarter.
He was injured after muffing a punt in his first opportunity on the field. Some are accusing him of quitting on his team after the mishap.
Edwards is one of the Wildcats‘ top playmakers. He is a difference maker both on offense and special teams.
Last year was his first in Manhattan. The former four-star recruit didn’t disappoint.
In 12 appearances, he totaled 546 rushing yards while adding another 133 through the passing attack. He scored seven touchdowns out of the backfield and one more as a punt returner.
Edwards is electric with the ball in his hands. He didn’t get an opportunity to showcase his abilities in Week 0.
Dylan Edwards was injured on his first touch.
Kansas State and Iowa State faced off in Dublin, Ireland to open the college football season. Conditions were poor as heavy rains drenched the playing field.
The Wildcats made a defensive stop to start the game. Edwards lined up with the punt return team in hopes of creating a spark ahead of the team’s first offensive possession.
Unfortunately, a costly mistake gave the ball back to the Cyclones.
Edwards muffed the punt. He was then hit hard by an Iowa State defender.
@thesportingnews The announcer says smoke from fireworks may have led to Dylan Edwards muffing a punt. #collegefootball #cfb #kansasstate
Edwards was a little slow to get up to his feet. He walked off the field under his own power but did not return to the contest.
Announcers initially implied that pregame fireworks played a role in the fumble. Lingering smoke might’ve clouded his sightlines. That didn’t seem to be the case, however. He tracked the ball fine. He just dropped it.
Dylan Edwards‘ exit from the game infuriated viewers, particularly those that might’ve placed prop bets on the running back’s totals. Some claimed that he’d faked the injury after the embarrassing start.
Many demanded refunds after seeing him on the sidelines.
Refund bets for people who thought Dylan Edwards was going to play @ESPNBET
— Cameron Korody (@CamKorody35) August 23, 2025
Was Edwards really hurt?
Some questioned the validity of the injury after seeing him walk off the field. They were surprised that he didn’t return as, initially, his pain didn’t seem severe.
He was, however, seen in a walking boot after the game.
Dylan Edwards seen at the Dublin Airport wearing a walking boot pic.twitter.com/i4FPZQ4sNw
— The Manhatter (@TheManhatterKSU) August 24, 2025
A number of college football fans attacked the tailback for faking his injury. He responded in a now-deleted message on social media.
“I’d never be a person to quit on my teammates or do anything of that nature for attention and pride,” he wrote. “If you truly know me, you know that I am a competitor… I will be back.”
The fake injury claims were just one instance of a drama-filled Saturday in Ireland for the Wildcats. Starting quarterback Avery Johnson’s family made headlines after the contest for their involvement in a parking lot brawl following the loss.
Frustrations were high for Kansas State, who fell flat as a slight favorite in the season opener. In Edwards’ case, he insists his injury is legitimate regardless of the outside perception.
A timeline for his return at this point is unclear. Kansas State will return to the field in Week 1 against North Dakota.