Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State football?

[Broodwich]

I have had some lengthy chats over the last week to two with some friends about why a lot of people think that Iowa's football program is the premier brand of football in the state.

One of the reoccurring themes was the glorious history of Iowa's football heritage and moderate success. I would agree with the second half of the statement that Iowa has had a fairly successful history particularly in the 40s, 50s, and 80s. The first part of that statement however I strongly disagree with. I think Iowa State has a lot of "lost history" about the greats of Iowa State football, and this is exemplified on the wikipedia page.

Everyone knows about Jack Trice, but where are the references to Pop Warner? The Dirty Thirty? John Cooper? Some of the most successful college coaches of the modern era have had tenures at Iowa State, but very rarely is that mentioned. I truly believe that ISU has a very rich yet relatively unknown history. I am asking my fellow who know, or who are motivated to help me post some of the legendary aspects of Iowa State Football to wikipedia. I am asking you, who are the legends of Iowa State Football?

 

[cyclonelifer]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

The first bowl team was loaded with legends. Maybe I'm a bit prejudice since thats when I became a diehard Cyclone fan, but any team that had Matt Blair on D and George Amundson as a RB were pretty good. Amundson would have been the QB if they had a RB. But it worked out pretty good for Dean Carlson. Then you look at their young coach, Johnny Majors who within six years would have a national championship is not to shabby.

Pro careers - Amundson with the Oilers, Otto Stowe with the Dolphins, Ike Harris with the Lions, Keith Krepkle (sp?) with the Eagles, Dean Carlson with the Chiefs, I know I'm missing at least one other but my mind's drawing a blank.

That was a "close" team. The O-Line were true friends on and off the field. Two boys from Jersey were the guards, the tackles were from Chicago and I think LA, and the center was the only "kid" on the line being a junior.

By the end of the year the '71 Clones would go to the schools first bowl game and end up the season being ranked in the top 20. Their four loses were to all top 10 teams, including #1,2, and 3.

 

[Broodwich]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

By the end of the year the '71 Clones would go to the schools first bowl game and end up the season being ranked in the top 20. Their four loses were to all top 10 teams, including #1,2, and 3.

I will earmark the '71 team for an entry. Could you PM me with some specifics about the headliners, results etc? I was just a wink in my daddy's eye.

 

[Broodwich]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

Here are some "legends" that I feel must be mentioned. Please feel free to add to the list.

Glenn "Pop" Warner
Detailed information about Jack Trice
Clyde Williams (UI grad, ISU coach who helped form the rules of the game)
Dirty Thirty / John Cooper
Mack Brown
Jimmy Johnson
David Archer
Troy Davis
Pete Carroll

 

[cyclonez7]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

Seneca Wallace? Is he worthy enough of being a legend?

 

[Broodwich]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

Seneca Wallace? Is he worthy enough of being a legend?

Of course! He's already well covered though.

 

[kuney1]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

ISU also had coaches who either were assistants that became very successful or head coaches who did great things. Jackie Sherrill, Jimmy Johnson, Mack Brown, Earle Bruce, Johnny Majors to name a few.

Of course we had our share of duds too.

 

[candg4ever]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

Seneca Wallace? Is he worthy enough of being a legend?

I would say he is if you're going to put David Archer in there. Archer was a good QB, but I wouldn't put him in the legend catagory. Certainly not ahead of Senaca and Sage.

 

[cyking]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

How about Matt Blair. He was a great linebacker.

 

[candg4ever]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

How about Mike Stensrud and maybe Dexter Green? Stensrud was a dominant defensive lineman that went on to a very successful pro football career. Drafted by the Houston Oilers, Stensrud was possibly the best nose guard in pro football for a number of years with numerous pro bowl appearances, then finished his carrer more locally, first with the KC Chiefs, and finally with the Vikings.

Dexter Green was the heart and soul of the 1977 Peach Bowl offense, and while rather small, could take over a game.

 

[CTTB78]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

I don't have the stats handy, but Earle Bruce's '76 (i believe it was that year) was one of the leading offenses in the country with Buddy Hardeman, Wayne Stanley, and Luther Blue who all went on to pro careers. I don't recall if Dexter was drafted or not. I think we also had three out of the four D-lineman who were All Big 8, led by the younger Stensrud.
Probably or most talented team (based on pro talent) ever.

 

[mkcrawford]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

To add a few historic names...

Merv Krakau - played in the NFL with the Bills (I believe)
Karl Nelson - probably one of the best O-lineman to play for the New York Football Giants.

 

[Landshark]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

I would say he is if you're going to put David Archer in there. Archer was a good QB, but I wouldn't put him in the legend catagory. Certainly not ahead of Senaca and Sage.

I would almost take Archer over both. Archer was red hot with the Falcons there for a short (very short) time. In fact one Sunday before they played the Cowboys, CBS did a whole story on him, but.....this is dead-on true....no video of him playing at ISU and no mention of him coming from ISU...only footage of him playing juco ball and they mentioned his juco college outta of Utah or Idaho. My dad and I were livid and called channel 8 to complain. I'll never forget that.

 

[JRE1975]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

How about Matt Blair. He was a great linebacker.

I agree, I think Matt Blair was the best football player I have seen play at Iowa State (which means since 1969). He would take over the field, was a big guy that was very fast, and I think played 12-13 years for the Vikings.

Great player, and he played with a lot of very good players on the Majors teams of the early 70's.

 

[CloneFan65]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

ISU also had coaches who either were assistants that became very successful or head coaches who did great things. Jackie Sherrill, Jimmy Johnson, Mack Brown, Earle Bruce, Johnny Majors to name a few.

Of course we had our share of duds too.

I don't know how many non-Iowa college football fnas I've talked to that had no idea Bruce and Majors coached at ISU. :no: Definitely a part of our "lost" history.

 

[IsUaClone2]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

To add a few historic names...

Merv Krakau - played in the NFL with the Bills (I believe)
Karl Nelson - probably one of the best O-lineman to play for the New York Football Giants.

OK then, some pre-historic names:

Tom Watkins (RB - Detroit Lions)
Dave Hoppman (All-Big 8 running back, may have been All American too)
Tom Vaughn (DB - Detoit Lions and the best two-way player I ever saw. I think the only time he came off the field was at the half -- probably because he couldn't read music so they wouldn't let him march with the band).

 

[sdsmith4]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

Vaughn and Hoppman and Dave Hoover all ran for 100 yards back in the 60's in a game vs. Oklahoma State. When it comes down to it that is a very rare feet to have 3 guys run for 100 yards in one game. I didn't think it would be, but it is very rare.

 

[CyForPresident]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

How about the 1981 ISU/Iowa game when the ISU running back (can't think of his name) flipped the bird to Hayden Fry as he ran down the sideline for a touchdown. I always liked that story.

 

[Broodwich]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

How about the 1981 ISU/Iowa game when the ISU running back (can't think of his name) flipped the bird to Hayden Fry as he ran down the sideline for a touchdown. I always liked that story.

That may be the pinnacle of Iowa State sports history. That made my day. I will pay good money to get some footage of that on YouTube.

 

[cyclonedcm]

Re: Iowa State Football wikipedia history: Who are the legends of Iowa State footbal

Jim Doran was a great end... played for the Detroit Lions.