With only eight returning starters on both sides of the ball, many worried the Iowa defense would take a step back. Over the first two weeks of the regular season, that couldn't be more wrong.
Iowa kept Northern Illinois off the scoreboard in week one and allowed only 13 points to Iowa State in week two, proving they are still a formidable unit. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Iowa defense ranks No. 1 in first downs allowed (16), No. 5 in scoring defense (6.5), and No. 7 in total defense (187.5 yards per game). A big reason why: third-year lineback Cam Buffington.
Cam Buffington earned the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week Award
After forcing his way into the rotation late last season, Buffington is showing why he earned all of his offseason hype. Buffington was the projected starter at middle linebacker after Karson Sharar left for the NFL, and he has fully capitalized on the opportunity. The Iowa defense has been stellar through the first two games, due to Buffington's play, and now he is being recognized for his dominant performance against Iowa State.
Iowa LB Cam Buffington is the Lott IMPACT® Trophy Player of the Week for Week 2. 🏆
— Lott IMPACT Trophy (@LottTrophy) September 16, 2026
Buffington recorded a game-high 15 tackles, including 9 solo, in Iowa’s 16-13 Cy-Hawk win over Iowa State.
The Winfield, Iowa native currently leads the Big Ten in solo tackles. pic.twitter.com/fqEBXWDNuR
After posting an eye-opening 15 tackles against Iowa State during a 16-13 Hawkeye win, Buffington was named the Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week. The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the best defender in college football who also exhibits the characteristics of former great Ronnie Lott. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. After tallying 9 solo tackles against Iowa State, Buffington leads the Big Ten in that category.
Buffington's performance was special for multiple reasons. First, his 15 total tackles are the most in a game since Jay Higgins in 2024. Second, Buffington is now No. 9 overall in average tackles per game (10.5). Averaging double-digit tackles all season would be a miraculous feat, and Buffington has the potential to do it. With Northern Iowa coming to Kinnick Stadium in week three, Buffington could easily have another big game in the center of the Iowa defense, but the real test will be against Michigan in week four.
After a questionable win over Western Michigan in week one, the Wolverines responded by knocking off a ranked Oklahoma squad in week two. The Hawkeyes may be catching Michigan at the right time, as multiple question marks about quarterback Bryce Underwood and the offense as a whole. The Wolverines' offense has been pedestrian at best through the first two weeks, ranking No. 131 in total offense, averaging 269.5 yards per game, and No. 133 in scoring offense (15.0).
Both teams have easier opponents in week three, with Iowa facing UNI and Michigan taking on UTEP, and the Hawkeyes will need Buffington to keep putting up big numbers in order to knock off Michigan on the road in week four. Iowa State's wacky offense was a good first test, and Buffington passed with flying colors. Now, the test is whether he can sustain that high level of production throughout the season.
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