Iowa State Will Name Landon Cornelius Kid Captain
The Maxwell freshman will be honored during the upcoming home game against Utah in Ames.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Football
Landon Cornelius, a freshman from Maxwell, Iowa, will serve as the Iowa State football team's Kid Captain for the game against Utah. He is set to participate in the matchup at Jack Trice Stadium this Saturday.
Why it matters
The Kid Captain program highlights individuals facing significant health challenges while providing them with a memorable experience alongside the university team. Landon Cornelius was selected to represent the program while navigating his diagnosis of Skraban-Deardorff Syndrome.
Landon Cornelius is a freshman at Collins-Maxwell High School who has been diagnosed with Skraban-Deardorff Syndrome. This rare condition, affecting only a few dozen individuals globally, is characterized by seizures as well as physical and developmental delays.
The players
Landon Cornelius
A freshman at Collins-Maxwell High School from Maxwell, Iowa, who was diagnosed with Skraban-Deardorff Syndrome.
Iowa State football team
The college football program based in Ames that hosts the Kid Captain program at Jack Trice Stadium.
The details
Cornelius will join the Iowa State Cyclones during their game against Utah at Jack Trice Stadium. The young student from Maxwell will be featured as the Kid Captain for the 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
Timeline
September 26, 2026: The Iowa State football game against Utah begins at 2:30 p.m.
Season Trajectory
The Kid Captain program remains a staple of the Iowa State football season experience regardless of the team's competitive standing. This tradition continues to foster community engagement as the Cyclones prepare to face Utah at Jack Trice Stadium.
The game against Utah is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Attendees at Jack Trice Stadium can expect the Kid Captain presentation to occur during the game proceedings.
The takeaway
Landon Cornelius will gain unique access to the Iowa State team as part of his role as Kid Captain. Supporting rare disease awareness through college athletics serves as a vital touchpoint for the local Ames community.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments within the Football program at Iowa State.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kcrg.
