Iowa State Football History: The 1950s

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State’s football legacy stretches over 12 decades back to the program’s formation in 1892. Our Athletics Communications Department recently chronicled the highlights of that history into shortened document for another department project.

So, we decided to share that with you. Each Friday leading up until the home-opener on Sept. 1 vs. Tulsa, Cyclones.com will recount major moments in Cyclone football history.  Archive links will be made below. 

1950 
Wide receiver Jim Doran finishes a stellar career as an All-American in 1950. Doran caught 79 passes for 1,410 yards in three Cyclone seasons. On Oct. 28, Doran is a one-man show at No. 3 Oklahoma, making eight catches for 203 yards and a touchdown. The 203 yards are the school record for 34 years. Doran goes on to a long career in the NFL. QB Bill Weeks is a first-team All-Big Seven honoree. Weeks is third nationally in passing and Doran third nationally in receiving.

1951 
On Oct. 6 in Milwaukee, Wis. Iowa State plays Marquette in a pouring rain that newspaper writers say is "the hardest downpour" they have ever seen. Iowa State uses the punt as an offensive weapon in search of a turnover. The Cyclones punt 18 times and fight to a 6-6 draw despite being outgained by Marquette, 240-5.

1953 
HB Max Burkett is a first-team All-Big Seven honoree.

1954 
Western Illinois coach Vince DiFrancesca takes own the head coaching reins in February.

1957 
Jim Myers is hired as head football coach, replacing DiFrancesca. QB Dwight Nichols is a first-team academic All-Big Seven honoree.

1958 
Clay Stapleton, an assistant coach at Oregon State, is hired as head coach. QB Dwight Nichols is a first-team All-Big Seven honoree, finishing third in the nation in rushing.

1959 
"The "Dirty Thirty," so named because only 30 players remained on the team before the start of the season become Iowa State legends. The Cyclones go 7-3, led by All-American QB Dwight Nichols and RB Tom Watkins. The pair finished the season ranked second and third, respectively, for rushing nationally. E Don Webb is a first-team All-Big Eight selection. Iowa State plays at Oklahoma in the last game of the season with a Orange Bowl bid on the line but the Cyclones fall, 35-12.