NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Most of the 70,000 fans inside Kinnick Stadium for Iowa football's rivalry showdown against Iowa State on Sept. 12 were on the edge of their seats living and dying with every play. 

Neither team connected on many explosive plays during the Hawkeyes' 16-13 triumph, but when Iowa managed to find an offensive spark, the crowd roared with enthusiasm. The same could be said when the Hawkeyes were on defense, and the noise definitely played a factor in the fourth quarter. 

Football's popularity continues to soar each year, which results in thousands of new fans from across the globe.

There were four new football fans taking in the sights and sounds at Kinnick last weekend. The first three – Freddy, John, and Lasse – are a trio of German tourists that went viral over the summer for sharing their experience traveling the U.S. during the FIFA World Cup. They began their next adventure – a college football tour – with a trip to Iowa City for the Cy-Hawk Game. 

Freddy told The Athletic that he and his friends are still grasping the rules of American football, but they weren't alone. The other person in attendance that night happened to be on the field. 

That's right. Iowa has a player that is still learning American football, and he's in the starting lineup – punter Boston Everitt. 

The Hope Island, Australia native has plenty of experience in Australian football – he was named to the Southport Sharks Presidents Award list in his youth- but he's a complete newcomer to American football this season. 

The difference between the two sports are vast. Australian football is played on an oval playing surface, has a ball that looks very similar to a rugby ball, and features four 20-minute quarters. 

Those rules are completely different from the football we're all familiar with in the United States. One would think it would be hard for someone to step on the field and play an American football game just months after arriving in the country, but Everitt says his developing knowledge is an advantage, not a disadvantage. 

Why? Because special teams coordinator Chris Polizzi's leadership has engraved the message into Everitt's brain – just do your job. 

"I don't overthink anything because of it," Everitt said at media availability Tuesday. "I guess I just kind of go out there and kick it high and far." 

Everitt primarily uses the American football punting style, but his experience Down Under allows him to go with the Australian rugby style if a certain situation warrants it. 

"At the end of the day, it just comes down to what the coach wants," Everitt said. "Like at what point it is in the game, and sort of what we're feeling, what we're confident with on the day, weather, a lot of stuff." 

The second-year battled with Simpson transfer Tanner Philpott for the starting job, but earned it because of his consistency, per Kirk Ferentz. Everitt deferred the question when he was asked why he felt he won the position, but says the competition helped grow his punting skills and created a strong bond with Philpott. 

"We still bounce [ideas] off each other, and there's no egotistical conflict," Everitt said. 

According to Everitt, the relationship between Polizzi and his specialists resembles a father-son rapport. Polizzi is also in his first year as coordinator after taking over for LeVar Woods, and the natural connection has helped, too. 

"We've been able to work together pretty well, and I'm looking forward to strengthening that connection over the next four years," Everitt said. 

But Everitt, Philpott, and Polizzi never could've predicted that connection would play a huge role in Iowa's victory over Iowa State. The game featured a classic Cy-Hawk field position battle in the second half, which meant Everitt was busy. The Aussie recorded 264 yards on six punts (average of 44 yards per punt) – with four landing inside the Cyclones' 20-yard line. 

"The punts were just landing well, and it just shows the whole preseason we've put in, so it's paying off, which is good," Everitt said. 

Though Everitt is the primary punter, Philpott is still contributing as the holder for field goal attempts. It's normally a thankless job, but he saved the day for the Hawkeyes. Caden Buhr had a 42-yard field goal attempt to win the game, but Ike Speltz's aired snap nearly ruined the moment. 

Philpott didn't panic, though, and swiftly got the ball down in time for Buhr to bury the winning kick.

"I don't quite know how he pulled it off," Everitt said. "It's good that he's getting recognition for it." 

Everitt has now played in two American football games and won both. He's loved experiencing the raucous Kinnick Stadium atmosphere and continuing to learn his new sport. 

A learning curve could be on its way, but Everitt has a reliable resource to lean on as he navigates through his first college football season – Tory Taylor. The former Hawkeye standout and current Chicago Bears punter visited Iowa City for the season opener against Northern Illinois and has been offering some advice to Philpott. 

What Taylor has shared will stay between the duo, but having an All-American punter in your ear can't be a bad thing. 

"He's been really good throughout the whole process," Everitt said. "It was good to just talk to him about routines and game day and just learn from him." 

Looking for a FREE Hawkeyes community? 

Don't miss out on our Roundtable community and the latest news! It's completely FREE to join.

Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members in the community section! Download the FREE Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!

Click here to join the fun and potentially win some FREE Hawkeye swag! 

HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos