Iowa Walk-On Kicker Caden Buhr Delivers Iconic CyHawk Moment With 42-Yard Game Winner

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Caden Buhr grew up an hour from Kinnick Stadium, watching Iowa-Iowa State games from his dad's season tickets. On Saturday night, the Bettendorf native and preferred walk-on delivered the kind of moment he had only dreamed about, drilling a 42-yard field goal with 19 seconds left to lift the Hawkeyes past Iowa State, 16-13.

“My dad had season tickets, so I watched a lot of Iowa-Iowa State games,” said Buhr. “To be here in this moment, it's truly a dream come true.”

The kick came after a week of doubt. Buhr missed his first extra point and first field goal attempt in the season opener, raising questions about the kicking game. But when the pressure peaked in front of 70,000 fans, the second-year walk-on delivered.

How the Game-Winning Drive Unfolded

The game was tied at 13 with 4:17 left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Hank Brown and offensive coordinator Tim Lester engineered a methodical drive that put the Hawkeyes at the Cyclones' 24-yard line. On fourth and one, with 19 seconds on the clock, Iowa called on Buhr.

“As a kicker you always want to go out there and kick,” said Buhr. “When we got the ball, I said we're kicking this, let's go.”

Holder Tanner Philpott, the backup punter, fielded a slightly wide snap and set the ball down cleanly. Buhr's foot connected, and the ball sailed through the uprights, igniting a celebration that will be remembered in CyHawk lore for years.

Buhr's Journey From Bettendorf to Kinnick

Buhr started kicking as a freshman at Bettendorf High School, transitioning from soccer to football. He trained under former Hawkeye kicker Keith Duncan, who himself delivered iconic game-winning kicks during his Iowa career, including a walk-off against Michigan in 2016.

“He's made a lot of big kicks, he's done a lot of great things for the University of Iowa,” said Buhr. “To be able to work with him starting young and all the way up, I've learned a lot of things from him.”

Duncan's early career included struggles before he emerged as one of Iowa's defining players of the late 2010s. Buhr faced a similar test after a rough season opener, but head coach Kirk Ferentz credited his resilience.

“Players at every position have our dark moments, and it's just about if you let those control what you do,” said Ferentz. “Fortunately, he hasn't, and I'm sure Keith is a part of that equation too.”

Teammates Rally Behind the Walk-On Kicker

Buhr won a competitive battle with Eli Ozick for the starting kicker job during fall camp. After his early misses, he finished the opener strong and carried that confidence into a solid week of practice.

“It's a real credit to him finishing out the game last week and doing a great job,” said Ferentz. “That certainly helped give him confidence in that closing minute.”

Iowa linebacker Cam Buffington never doubted his teammate. “I had all the belief in the world Buhr was going to make that,” he said. “All the critics out there saying our special teams is this or that, I knew that kid was going to go out there and make that kick. He deserves it.”

After the kick, offensive tackle Trevor Lauck hoisted Buhr into the air, index finger pointed skyward, echoing Duncan's iconic celebration from 2016.

What This Win Means for Iowa's Season

The victory keeps Iowa's playoff hopes alive and delivers a critical win in the CyHawk rivalry. For Buhr, who is not on scholarship, the moment represents the culmination of years of work.

“You can't really put words to it,” said Buhr. “Words can't describe that feeling when you're out on the field, you're with your teammates, you've dreamed of this your whole life. It was pretty cool.”

Frequently Asked Questions About the CyHawk Game

Who is Caden Buhr?

Caden Buhr is a preferred walk-on kicker from Bettendorf, Iowa, who attends the University of Iowa. He kicked the game-winning 42-yard field goal against Iowa State on September 13, 2026.

What was the final score of the Iowa-Iowa State game?

Iowa defeated Iowa State 16-13 on a 42-yard field goal by Caden Buhr with 19 seconds remaining.

How did Buhr perform earlier in the season?

Buhr missed his first extra point attempt and first field goal attempt in the season opener, but he recovered to finish that game strong and carried that momentum into the CyHawk matchup.

Iowa returns to action next Saturday, looking to build on the momentum of this dramatic rivalry win.