AMES, Iowa - In 1959, Iowa State's football team captured the imagination of the nation. Down to 30 players under a coach who was yet to win his first Big Eight game, this undersized unit finished the season with a 7-3 record. The Cyclones played for an Orange Bowl berth in the last game of the season.
Head coach Clay Stapleton's hard-nosed brand of single-wing football brought out the best in standouts like All-American Dwight Nichols, the diminutive halfback who led the league in total offense. Fullback Tom Watkins and end Don Webb also earned all-conference honors. The following film details the story and highlights of that magical 1959 season and explains how the "Dirty Thirty" earned their nickname.
Members of the Dirty Thirty will be back in Ames this weekend, including former Cyclone and Ohio State head coach John Cooper.
Click the video slideout tab in the photo above to see a 26-minute feature video of the Dirty Thirty squad.
