Iowa State Football History: The 1960s

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.

1960   
The Cyclones post a 7-3 record under Stapleton. The 14-6 two-year mark is Iowa State’s best since  1915-1916. The Cyclones would not reach that threshold again until 1976-1977. FB Tom Watkins earns All-America honors.

1961   
QB Dave Hoppmann leads the nation in total offense (1,638 yards). On Oct. 28 vs. Kansas State Hoppmann runs for 271 yards. His record won’t be broken until 1995. He is a first-team All-Big Eight honoree and ranked fourth nationally in rushing.

1962   
QB Dave Hoppmann earns All-America honors for the second straight season. On Nov. 24, in his final game vs. bowl-bound Ohio, Hoppmann leads the Cyclones to a 31-22 victory. He finishes his career with 2,562 rushing yards.

1963   
FB Tom Vaughn earns All-American honors. He finishes his career with 1,889 yards. C John Berrington is a first-team All-Big Eight pick.

1964   
Iowa State head coach Clay Stapleton retires the number 30 last worn by Mike Cox, whom the head coach said represented the finest characteristics of a true student-athlete. Offensive tackle  John Van Sicklen earns All-America honors. Cox and HB Tom Vaughn earn first-team All-Big Eight honors.

1965   
E Eppie Barney, HB Ron Halda and E Dick Kasperek are first-team All-Big Eight honorees.
1966    E Eppie Barney earns All-America honors, ending his career with 97 passes for 1,350 yards.

1968   
Former Tennessee All-American Johnny Majors begins his first season as head coach, coming from Arkansas where he served as an assistant coach.  His staff includes future NFL Super Bowl champion coach Jimmy Johnson (Dallas Cowboys), future collegiate head coaches Larry Lacewell (Arkansas State) and Jackie Sherrill (Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Mississippi State).  OT George Dimitri is a first-team All-Big Eight honoree.

1969   
OG Mike Bliss and S Tony Washington are first-team All-Big Eight picks.