The Daily Iowan
PREGAME
‘IT’S JUST FOOTBALL’ Now a star linebacker at Iowa, Cam Buffington doesn’t let his past of eight-man football define him as a player.
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5 things to watch
Iowa quarterback Hank Brown has taken over the starting quarterback job with conviction and is playing at the highest level he has in his career. Brown went a perfect 12-for-12 with two touchdowns last week against Northern Iowa, but a new challenge awaits Brown in Michigan. Brown has never played in a road game during his college career, including his time at Auburn. Michigan Stadium is perhaps one of the most di cult places to play in the country, especially for a his first road game. Brown will need to ensure that his o ense stays on the same page and has nearly awless communication among 100,000 screaming fans at the Big House.
The Hawkeye defense has been o to a scorching start in 2026, leading the country in both scoring and total defense, allowing just 4.3 points per game. A pleasant surprise for Iowa fans has been the defensive line, which has held its own through three weeks. While the competition hasn’t been outstanding, and the defensive line is recording crazy sack numbers, the group has done well to stu the run game. That will be key against a Wolverine o ense that leans on the run, especially with their quarterback. The defensive front will also be tested by Michigan’s running backs. While Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter haven’t posted ohter-worldly numbers, their abilities to find the end one and work out of the backfield will be key for Iowa’s defense to hold down.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was one of the most hyped up quarterback recruits in recent history, and is rumored to have received over 10 million to sign with Michigan.
After a rough true freshman season, Underwood faced lots of pressure coming into this season. In his first two games, Underwood completed just 54 and 53 percent of his passes, respectively, while throwing for under 200 yards. In the Wolverines’ upset win over Oklahoma in Week 2, Underwood’s legs came alive, rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. nderwood has done the most damage with his legs this season, which will be the focal point for Iowa’s defense. If the Hawkeyes can force Underwood to throw, they have a chance to take advantage of his weaknesses and set up their o ense in better situations.
Cornerback Jyaire Hill has been one of the best corners in the entire country this season. Hill has broken up 15 passes and collected three interceptions since his first full season as a starter in 2024. Before last week’s game against UTEP, Hill had allowed -7 yards in coverage this season. His lockdown ability will be something to watch this week against Iowa, as he’ll likely match up with Tony Diaz. If Diaz is shut down by Hill, Iowa will need to rely on pass-catchers who haven’t gotten many targets this season, such as Reece Vander Zee, Evan James, and DJ Vonnahme.
The Hawkeyes were without their top two running backs last week against Northern Iowa, but the backups had no issue getting going on the ground. Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, and Braeden Jackson all rushed for over 100 yards as the team ran for 422 yards. Starter Kamari Moulton is expected to be back this week, but the rest of the Iowa running back room showed they have what it takes to play at a high level. The depth will be needed against a physical, nasty defense this week, and one of Williams or McNeil might need to have a big game. The run game will be the main focus of the Hawkeye o ense to stay ahead of the sticks and open up the passing opportunities for Hank Brown and the o ense.
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At the end of the day, it’s just football Now a star linebacker at Iowa, Cam Buffington doesn’t let his past of eight-man football define him as a player
The energy in Cam Bu ngton’s voice faded after each question asked. What had started as a content smile had slipped into a straight face, ready to give the same answer each time. Fresh o a career-best performance against Iowa State, it was no surprise the media requested to interview Bu ngton. But instead of asking about his 15 tackles or the team’s nailbiter rivalry win, every microphone and camera wanted to hear Bu ngton talk about the same thing. ight-man football. Bu ngton’s response At the end of the day, it’s just football. The format of football Buffington was forced to play three years ago continues to shape how the media defines him as a player. But to the linebacker out of Winfield, Iowa,
football is football.
Winfield, with a population of just over 1,000, covers 1.05 square miles of land, making it approximately 24 times smaller than Iowa City. Due to its small si e, the town has a combined school district with Mount nion, a small community 10 minutes down the road. In the school halls, students may find themselves walking past a six-foot-two senior. Next, they’ll find themselves walking past a single-file line of three-foot-tall five-year-olds. Bu ngton was aware of the young, in uential eyes that focused on him every day. It taught me a lot about how to carry myself as someone the younger generation might look up to, Bu ngton said. With class si es such as Bu ngton’s, who graduated with around 30 others, the school competes in Iowa’s eight-man football division.
Outside of the di erence in player count, eight-man football di erentiates from traditional football primarily due to its smaller field dimensions, with an 0-yard goal-to-goal and 40-yard wide field as opposed to 100 yards goal-to-goal and 53 one-third yards wide. As soon as Bu ngton joined the team his freshman year, Winfield-Mount nion football head coach Scott McCarty recogni ed he had something special in his young linebacker. Whether it was on either side of the ball, he was always dialed in and knew what we wanted to do, McCarty said. There were a couple of times when he could have veered away from a player, but he sought them out to create contact. Aside from his own play, Bu ngton played the role of an on-the-field fan for his teammates as well. He was always the first one there to congratulate a teammate after an interception or a big play, McCarty said. The support he showed toward his teammates on the field resembled the care he had for them o the field.
McCarty recalled how Bu ngton would drive three to four miles out of his way to pick up younger teammates for summer lifting sessions, or even go to his cousin’s house to wake him up if he overslept before a morning practice. He always showed that kind of leadership, McCarty said. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he was friends with everybody, but he understood what it took to be a good team, and you have to be good teammates. Bu ngton’s leadership stems from his excitement for football, which began while he roamed the same school halls 10 years earlier. As a boy who was naturally drawn to just about any sport, it didn’t take much convincing from his parents for him to go out for ag football. He was pretty easy to convince, his dad, oss, said. He was one of those kids that was always outdoors, playing catch, and riding bikes. When Bu ngton began tackle football in third grade, he became a coach’s kid. oss coached Bu ngton’s team alongside his friend, Clay, who also had a son on the team. However, it didn’t mean he received special treatment by any means. To avoid coaching their own kids, Clay coached Bu ngton, while oss coached Clay’s son, Abram. I didn’t want to be that dad, oss said. oss saw signs of excellence in his son, whose si e and athleticism stood out in his early playing days.
Buffington’s attention to detail began early on in his life. oss recalled Buffington’s curiosity and eagerness to learn. He would ask so many questions, oss said. Sometimes I’d just have to say, nough, no more questions.’ While he questioned a lot, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t take it upon himself to learn something new every once in a while. Still a toddler, Buffington hopped onto his brand new bike equipped with training wheels. Before oss could help give him a push, he was off to the races. No problem. oss decided it wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and try taking the training wheels off, and to his dismay, Buffington didn’t fall once. Arguably the most impressive of Buffington’s self-taught feats came from his time in high school track and field. Without a speciali ed long-jump coach, Buffington took it upon himself to learn. In his senior year, Buffington’s work paid off, becoming state champion in the long jump. Sports weren’t the only subject to peak Buffington’s interest growing up. The Winfield native got heavily involved with the 4-H program, a youth organi ation focused on leadership and development skills. There, Buffington learned to show lambs. oss recalled an occasion in which Buffington wanted to learn how to clip the fur on a lamb’s leg. A family friend did one leg as an example, and handed the clippers to Buffington so he could try on his own. ust like the bike, all it took was one try for Buffington to achieve perfection. The family friend still talks about it with oss to this day, describing the shock he felt when Buffington matched his trim to a T. Above all, Buffington has always been a sports fan. More specifically, he’s always been a Hawkeye fan. However, sitting in front of the T watching football games wasn’t his thing while growing up. Instead, he preferred getting out and playing it.
oss sat atop the bleachers at innick Stadium, watching as his son rotated from station to station at an Iowa football camp. It was early une following Bu ngton’s freshman year of high school, and they had gone with no expectations other than a chance for him to show what he can do for the first time. I told Cam, just go and do what you can do, oss said. A few stations in, oss noticed something unusual. very time Bu ngton would move to a di erent station, he’d have coaches trailing behind him, watching every drill he participated in. At the end of camp, Bu ngton waved oss down towards the field, who leaped over the railing to join his son and head coach irk Ferent . Coach Ferent told the two how great a job Bu ngton had done, and gave a verbal o er to the high school sophomore. It was shocking, oss said. There were a lot of emotions going on because we didn’t know what to do or what to think. After having a little time to re ect on what they had just been told, Bu ngton and oss further discussed the matter on the drive home. oss explained to Bu ngton that it was only his first o er, advising him to be patient since other big colleges could still reach out. Bu ngton replied without hesitation. I’m going to Iowa. There’s no question. About a month after the camp, the linebacker attended an Iowa football event with the chance to hear from linebackers ack Campbell and Seth Benson. Afterwards, assistant coach Seth Wallace, who works with the team’s linebackers, approached Bu ngton, his mom, Stacey, and oss. That’s when Bu ngton told him he was ready to commit. Shortly after, Bu ngton told Coach Ferent the same thing he told Coach Wallace. His commitment was o cial.
The commitment didn’t a ect Bu ngton’s characteristics over the next three years, however. He was the same old Cam, oss said. In attempts to use Bu ngton’s commitment against him, his high school teammates took every chance they could get to throw shade at the linebacker whenever he made a mistake. Throughout the remainder of his high school career, it never fa ed him. The way he handled himself with having those extra eyes on him so early in his high school career, he was really mature about that, McCarty said.
Outside of the team bus, masses of Hawkeye fans grouped under endless rows of TigerHawk-stamped tents. arents gathered around in lawn chairs with the condensation of their freshly cracked beers cooling their hands. College students talked smack as they tossed bean bags through the air, releasing a cloud of dust as each hit the black-and-gold-decorated board. Inside the bus, Cam Bu ngton sat silently next to the window, watching as the Hawkeye faithful, like him, prepared for Iowa’s week three matchup against Northern Iowa. In that game, Bu ngton would go on to record six tackles, as well as two tackles for loss in Iowa’s 55-0 victory. After not playing his first year at Iowa and seeing limited game action in his second, Bu ngton has finally established himself as an impact-maker, doing so in dominant fashion. In addition to the Hawkeye faithful, Bu ngton’s performances have garnered national attention. The third year earned Lott IM ACT Trophy layer of the Week honors following his career-best outing against Iowa State.
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The linebacker’s competitive nature doesn’t end when he steps o the field. When he’s not ying around on defense and hunting down whoever has the ball, Bu ngton lives with teammates Ty Hudkins, Drew Campbell, reston ies, and a team manager. The four of them compete with the house of ach Lutmer, ade ieper, ach Ortworth, Nolan DeLong, and ack Laughlin to see who has the superior house. Lutmer shared the details regarding the competition. Who’s the best golf team, best vibes, and kind of just everything put together into one, Lutmer said. We definitely have them in golf we’ll see about everything else. It may not be the most organi ed competition, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun. It’ll be a fight for sure, Lutmer added jokingly. Additionally, the linebackers enjoy eating at Culvers to spend time with each other outside of practice, where Bu ngton enjoys his typical double Butterburger with cheese and a side of cheese curds no ranch, he specified.
While Bu ngton sees himself as just another football player, Coach McCarty has recogni ed the impact that the Winfield-Mount nion alumni has made across all schools participating in eight-man football in the state of Iowa. There are 6 schools now in Iowa that have kids that are excited to play football, McCarty said. They see that with hard work and production, they have a chance to play at a big school. Bu ngton has always been the same football player, giving the same amount of attention to detail. ust like the little boy who taught himself to ride a bike. To him, no matter the number of men on the field, football is football.
Iowa’s last win at Michigan Iowa’s last road win over Michigan was on Oct. 16, 2010. The Hawkeyes took down the Wolverines 3 -2 . Quarterback icky Stan i and running back Adam obinson were the stars of the game, with Stan i throwing for 24 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, and obinson rushing for 143 yards and two scores. Defensively, the Hawkeyes picked o the Wolverines three times. Tyler Sash, Troy ohnson, and Micah Hyde each grabbed an interception, with Sash returning his from Iowa’s 15-yard line to the Michigan 4 to set up a Stan i 31-yard touchdown pass to Derell ohnsonoulianos to put the Hawkeyes up 14-7. While the Wolverines found the end one first, Iowa clawed back to take a 21-7 lead into halftime. After each team punted to begin the third quarter, Michigan again turned the ball over in the red one, as running back incent Smith fumbled at the Iowa 15 to end a 12-play, 71-yard drive with no points. The Hawkeyes punted again on the next drive, but the defense came through again as Hyde picked o Tate Forcier. Iowa followed that up with a touchdown to push its lead to 21. The Wolverines got within a touchdown on a rushing score by Forcier to make it 35-2 with 6 55 remaining. The Hawkeyes then made a 30-yard field goal to extend their lead to 10, before ohnson ended the game with an interception on the ensuing Michigan drive. The Wolverines outgained the Hawkeyes, 522 to 3 , but couldn’t find the end one early, with costly turnovers in the red one. Iowa forced four turnovers while not giving the ball away o ensively.
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One on One: Anthony Hawkins Breakthrough and bravery
Kid Captain Lily Lee was the first child to receive spinal muscular atrophy treatment at the University of Iowa.
The third-year discussed his best childhood memory, favorite NFL team, and strangest irrational fear.
Lily Lee was born without complications and hit every milestone right on cue throughout her mother Mya’s pregnancy. By the time Lily turned 1, however, she still hadn’t started walking. “She could stand and take a few steps on her own,” Mya said. “But around 14 to 16 months, we noticed she was getting weaker, and eventually she couldn’t stand anymore.” Mya said the local doctor agreed that something wasn’t right and referred them to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Lily’s doctor at the UI Children’s Hospital knew exactly what was going on almost immediately. Lily was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, a rare disease that weakens her muscles over time. The hardest part for Lily’s parents was hearing that there wasn’t any treatment or cure available for her, as they were told that Lily would progressively get weaker and the disease could eventually a ect the muscles in her legs, arms, chest, spine, breathing, coughing, speaking, and swallowing. That wasn’t the end of the Lee family’s story, however, as a breakthrough occurred nine months later. By the grace of od, the first treatment for SMA was FDA-approved,” Mya said. “It gave our family hope when we really needed it.” Lily was the first child at the I Children’s Hospital to receive the newly approved treatment when she was just 21 months old. Mya said Lily has done every treatment without sedation and has been brave from the very beginning. Mya said the doctors and nurses have been incredible, and that some nurses have seen Lily grow up through her process. “At every visit, they make sure Lily knows how brave and strong she is,” Mya said. “They genuinely want to hear what she has been doing since they last saw her.” Mya also added that she believes their support has helped Lily be brave through all of the scary things she had to go through. The Lee family never expected Lily to be selected as a Kid Captain because of how many kids apply each year. “When we found out, our whole family was so excited,” Mya said. “Lily has spent so much of her life dealing with appointments and treatments, so it was really special to have an
opportunity that was just about celebrating her and letting her have an amazing experience.” At Kids’ Day on Aug. 15, Lily got to spend time with Iowa tight end Addison Ostrenga, who is now her favorite on the team. Lily got to see the locker rooms and participate in the SWARM before the practice. Ever since Lily’s diagnosis, the Lee family’s routine has changed a lot. Lily currently receives spinal treatment every four months and an infusion every month. These treatments mean the Lee family makes the three-hour drive from Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Iowa City at least 15 times per year. “It can be a lot, but we are incredibly grateful that these treatments are available to Lily,” Mya said. “The goal of her medicine is to stop the progression of the disease, and during her first year of treatment, she made so many gains.” Lily went from barely being able to sit without support to being able to walk with walking aids. She currently uses a wheelchair, but can maintain her strength, giving her many more opportunities for her future than her family ever imagined. “When she was diagnosed, we were preparing ourselves for her to continually lose strength and abilities,” Mya said. “Now, instead, we get to watch her grow up, make plans, have experiences, and dream about her future.”
Game Guide
Previewing Iowa’s transition to Big Ten play
The non-conference slate is already finished for Iowa football, and the Hawkeyes step right into a gauntlet of challenging Big Ten opponents to open conference play. Iowa will begin Big Ten play with a trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to face the Wolverines on Saturday, Sept. 26, followed by a home contest with Ohio State and a West Coast trip to Washington.
With young transfers and new faces in nearly every position group, it was expected Iowa could have some growing pains as the season began. However, the Hawkeyes have been humming to start 2026, averaging 37 points per game and leading the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 4.3 points per game with two shutouts. Quarterback Hank Brown has solidified himself as the starting quarterback through the first three games, capped with a 12-for-12, 153-yard performance with two touchdowns against Northern Iowa. Brown will be stepping into a packed Michigan Stadium on Saturday for his first career start on the road. The Hawkeyes will need to lean on the run game to open up opportunities for Brown through the air, as the Wolverine defense is one of
the best units in the country. The task doesn’t get any easier after this week, as Iowa will host perhaps the most talented team in the country, Ohio State, on Oct. 3. The Buckeyes lost a lot of defensive production to the NFL Draft, but, like usual, they replaced the losses with top-tier talent. After two battles against historically dominant Big Ten teams, the Hawkeyes will travel to the West Coast, where they’ve had historically bad performances over the years, for a Friday night game against Washington. All three games will most likely be ugly, hard-fought contests, meaning the Hawkeyes must stay healthy during this stretch. They do, however, have a well-timed bye week after the Washington game ahead of a rivlary clash on the road against Minnesota.