Kansas State, Iowa State Hit With $1M Fine After Skipping Bowl Games

The Big 12 handed out a major penalty this week after both Kansas State and Iowa State decided to step away from postseason play. Even though each program reached the six-win mark needed for bowl eligibility, instability inside both teams pushed them to decline their invites. That choice triggered a combined $1 million punishment from the conference.

In its announcement, the Big 12 said it was issuing $500,000 fines to each school for opting out of the league’s bowl pool. It’s an unusually steep consequence, but the conference said it has contractual obligations it must keep with its bowl partners.

Kansas State’s situation changed quickly after the regular season. Longtime head coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement on December 3 after seven seasons, leaving the program in a transition period. Former quarterback Collin Klein stepped in as the new head coach, but the roster was hurting. Injuries across both sides of the ball left the Wildcats unsure whether they could put a competitive team on the field.

Before their finale against Colorado, the Wildcats were already without CB Jayden Rowe, safety Colby McCalister, CB Justice Clemons, WR Bryce Noernberg, and kicker Keyton Simmering. Despite their 6–6 record, player leadership and administrators agreed it was best to step back, and the team voted against playing in a bowl.

Iowa State faced a similar challenge, though their on-field results were stronger. The Cyclones won eight games and easily qualified for a postseason appearance. But the departure of head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State left a major gap inside the program. New coach Jimmy Rogers stepped in, but the roster wasn’t in healthy shape either.

On Sunday morning, Iowa State held a full team meeting and vote. After what was described as a “robust” discussion, the players decided not to play. The team cited a lack of healthy players needed to safely practice and compete.

Key Cyclones, including DB Jamison Patton, Ta’Shawn James, Eddie Lemos, LB Beau Goodwin, WR Xavier Townsend, and OL Deylin Hasert, were unavailable going into the Oklahoma State game, further weakening their depth.

With both teams stepping aside, the Big 12 now has open bowl slots to fill. Under NCAA rules, if there aren’t enough six-win teams, 5–7 schools with the highest Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores get the first opportunity. According to The Athletic, Auburn and Florida State—both posting APR scores of 990 in 2024—are among the top candidates to slide into those bowl spots.

For now, the conference says the matter is settled and won’t be commenting further. Both Kansas State and Iowa State emphasized player health and team stability, even if their decisions came with a hefty price tag.

Also Read: BYU Shake-Up: Assistant Coach Reportedly Eyes Exit After Big 12 Meltdown