Iowa Kicker Caden Buhr Earns Big Ten Honor as USC Freshmen Shine in Week 2
IOWA CITY — Iowa kicker Caden Buhr was recognized Monday as the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, sharing the conference's Week 2 awards spotlight with a group of standout freshmen from across the league.
Buhr's recognition came after a strong performance in Iowa's weekend contest, earning him a spot alongside Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea (Offensive Player of the Week), Michigan's John Henry David (Defensive Player of the Week), and USC tight end Mark Bowman (Freshman Player of the Week).
USC Freshman Bowman Breaks Out Against Louisiana
While Buhr represented Iowa in the Big Ten's weekly honors, it was Bowman who grabbed headlines with a breakout performance in No. 12 USC's 49-30 victory over Louisiana on Saturday night.
The former five-star recruit from Mater Dei had been quiet through the Trojans' first two games, catching just three passes in each for no more than 30 yards. But against the Ragin' Cajuns, Bowman finally broke through.
He finished the game with six catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns, including the first scoring reception of his collegiate career in the first quarter.
“It's a really cool feeling. Everyone on the field had something to do with that so thank everyone for that,” Bowman said.
Bowman's most memorable play came in the second quarter when quarterback Jayden Maiava found him wide open. Bowman caught the ball and hurdled over two Louisiana defenders on his way to a 35-yard gain.
“(Maiava) delivered a great throw. Really, I just had to feel the play out and that's what happened,” Bowman said. “I don't typically hurdle but it's something that I want to keep adding into my game and improving it.”
USC's Freshman Class Making Immediate Impact
Bowman isn't the only first-year player making waves for the Trojans this season. Edge rusher Luke Wafle and receivers Trent Mosley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt have all contributed early.
Mosley, a Santa Margarita (Calif.) graduate, had a big game of his own against Louisiana, scoring two touchdowns including an 86-yard punt return. He has now caught a touchdown in all three of USC's games this season.
“Having a quarterback like (Maiava) makes it really easy and then the team just all coming together and doing their part. Everything just clicks,” Mosley said.
The freshman trio of Mosley, Dixon-Wyatt, and Bowman accounted for USC's first five touchdowns against Louisiana.
“I think we all have the same mindset of just working and getting better,” Mosley said. “We all have the same goal: to go win a national championship. So when you have a bunch of guys like that and everybody is doing their job, it makes it easy.”
Iowa Connection to Big Ten Weekly Honors
For Iowa fans, Buhr's recognition is a point of pride. The Hawkeyes have long been known for strong special teams play, and Buhr's inclusion among the Big Ten's weekly award winners reinforces that tradition.
The Big Ten weekly awards are announced each Monday throughout the conference season, recognizing standout performances on offense, defense, and special teams.
USC, now 3-0 on the season, continues to build momentum as the freshman class lives up to the hype that surrounded them entering the 2026 campaign.