1956 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1956 Iowa Hawkeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 3 3 9–1 5–1 Forest Evashevski 5th Ken Ploen Richard Deasy Donald Suchy Iowa Stadium National champion (CFRA)Big Ten championRose Bowl champion Rose Bowl W 35–19 vs. Oregon State The 1956 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1956 Big Ten football season. In their fifth season under head coach Forest Evashevski, the Hawkeyes compiled a 9–1 record (5–1 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 184 to 65.1956 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 16, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1956-schedule.html2022 Iowa Football Media Guide 241 University of Iowa https://storage.googleapis.com/hawkeyesports-prod/2022/07/b99ff33b-2022_ia_fb_media-guide-online-version.pdf May 16, 2025 They shut out No. 6 Minnesota (7–0) and No. 6 Ohio State (6–0), won in a blowout over Notre Dame (48–8 with a school record 409 rushing yards), but lost to No. 17 Michigan. As Big Ten champion, the Hawkeyes played in the 1957 Rose Bowl, defeating Oregon State (35–19) in a rematch of a regular season game. The Hawkeyes were ranked No. 3 in the final AP and UPI polls, both issued prior to the Rose Bowl.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 194. They were later selected as the national champion by the College Football Researchers Association.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 196. The 1956 Hawkeyes gained 2,374 rushing yards and 582 passing yards. On defense, they gave up 1,451 rushing yards and 913 passing yards.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 161. The defense gave up 8.4 points per game, the best scoring defense by an Iowa team in the modern era (since 1940). They allowed 229.8 yards per game, the second lowest total defense mark in school history.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 277. Quarterback Ken Ploen led the team in rushing (487 yards), passing (386 yards), total offense (873 yards), and scoring (38 points on six touchdowns and two extra-point kicks. Jim Gibbons led in receiving (255 yards).1956 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC January 13, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1956.html Ploen received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable player in the Big Ten. Tackle Alex Karras was selected as a first-team All-American. The team played its home games at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Home attendance was 306,478, an average of 51,079 per game.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 260. Schedule 1956 AP September 29 w y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN 27–0 25,000 October 6 w y 20 Oregon State Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 14–13 41,027 October 13 w Wisconsin Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry 13–7 53,273 October 20 w y 12 Hawaii Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 34–0 40,000 October 27 w y 12 Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 21–20 41,415 November 3 l 7 Michigan 17 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 14–17 55,896 November 10 w y 15 Minnesota 6 Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 7–0 64,235 November 17 w 7 Ohio State 6 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 6–0 57,732 November 24 w y 3 Notre Dame Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 48–8 56,632 January 1 w y y 3 Oregon State 10 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl NBC 35–19 97,126 Personnel Players The following players received varsity letters for their performance on the 1955 Iowa football team: 35em Don Ahlgren, end, senior, No. 78, 6–2, 200 pounds, Cedar Rapids, IA Frank Bloomquist, guard, junior, No. 64, 6–2, 205 pounds, Waterloo, IA Don Bowen, guard, junior, No. 63, 6–2, 198 pounds, East St. Louis, IL John A. Burroughs Jr., tackle, junior, No. 72, 6–4, 209 pounds, Washington, DC Bob Commings, guard, junior, No. 50, 5–9, 173 pounds, Youngstown, OH Dick Deasy, tackle, senior, No. 73, 6–0, 197 pounds, Chicago Don Dobrino, halfback, senior, No. 20, 6–3, 200 pounds, Mt. Olive, IL Hugh Drake, guard, sophomore, No. 66, 6–0, 190 pounds, Shenandoah, IA Randy Duncan, quarterback, sophomore, No. 25, 6–0, 179 pounds, Des Moines, IA Jim Gibbons, end, junior, No. 88, 6–3, 200 pounds, Chicago Frank Gilliam, end, senior, No. 37, 6–2, 173 pounds, Steubenville, OH Gary Grouwinkel, guard, sophomore, No. 60, 6–1, 199 pounds, Columbus Junction, IA Collins Hagler, halfback, junior, No. 44, 5–9, 163 pounds, Washington, DC Bill Happel, halfback, junior, No. 40, 5–11, 163 pounds, Cedar Rapids, IA Fred Harris, fullback, junior, No. 35, 6–1, 194 pounds, Bannockburn, IL Toni Hatch, end, senior, No. 89, 6–1, 192 pounds, Lancaster, WI Bob Haussman, end, senior, No. 84, 6–0, 171 pounds, Gary, IN Alex Karras, tackle, junior, No. 77, 6–2, 233 pounds, Gary, IN Dick Klein, tackle, sohomore, No. 70, 6–4, 250 pounds, Pana, IL Delmar Kloewer, halfback, junior, No. 15, 6–0, 175 pounds, Manilla, IA George Kress, tackle, senior, No. 76, 6–2, 220 pounds, Dubuque, IA Jeff Langston, end, sophomore, No. 85, 6–1, 182 pounds, Iowa City, IA Charles "Mac" Lewis, center, sophomore, No. 74, 6-6, 283 pounds, Chicago John Nocera, fullback, sophomore, No. 33, 6–1, 203 pounds, Youngstown, OH Orlando Pellegrino, halfback, senior, No. 43, 5–11, 176 pounds, Chicago Charles Pierce, center, junior, No. 54, 6–2, 199 pounds, Sycamore, IL Ken Ploen, quarterback, senior, No. 11, 6–2, 177 pounds, Clinton, IA Bob Prescott, end and kicker, sophomore, No. 86, 6–3, 200 pounds, Sioux City, IA Frank Rigney, tackle, junior, No. 75, 6–4, 212 pounds, East St. Louis, IL Don Suchy, center, senior, No. 55, 6–0, 203 pounds, Belle Plaine, IA Dick Theer, guard, junior, No. 62, 6–3, 204 pounds, Davenport, IA Gene Veit, quarterback, junior, No. 26, 5–11, 177 pounds, Clinton, IA Marion Walker, fullback, senior, No. 31, 5–8, 177 pounds, Gary, IN Jim Willett, tackle, senior, No. 94, 6–4, 221 pounds, Manson, IA 2022 Media Guide, pp. 250-258.http://hawkeyerecap.com/images/1957_OSU_Rose_Bowl_Guide.pdf 1957 Oregon State Rose Bowl Media Guide 35 Coaches and administrators Head coach - Forest Evashevski Assistant coaches - Jerry Burns, Bump Elliott, Bob Flora, Jerry Hilgenberg (freshman coach), Archie Kodros, Henry "Whitey" Piro1957 Rose Bowl Guide, pp. 52-55. Athletic director - Paul Brechler1957 Rose Bowl Guide, p. 36. Trainer - Doyle Allsum Team physician - Dr. W. D. Paul Rankings November 2025 1956 college football rankings AP 0 11 NR NR 20 NR 12 12 7 15 7 3 (6) 3 (12) 3 (15) Coaches 0 11 3 (3) Game summaries Indiana Iowa at Indiana Hawkeyes 13 0 7 7 Hoosiers 0 0 0 0 September 29 Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana CDT 25,000 1956 Indiana Hoosiers football team On September 29, 1956, Iowa defeated Indiana, 27–0, before a crowd of 25,000 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. Iowa scored two touchdowns in the first quarter off an Indiana fumble and an interception. Iowa rushed for 242 yards to 76 yards for Indiana.Hawkeyes Smash Indiana, 27–0 The Des Moines Register Bert McGrane September 30, 1956 1S, 10S https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8294682/hawkeyes_smash_indiana_270/ Newspapers.com Oregon State Oregon State at Iowa Beavers 6 0 7 0 Hawkeyes 0 0 0 14 October 6 Iowa Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CDT 41,027 1956 Oregon State Beavers football team On October 6, Iowa (ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll) defeated Oregon State, 14–13, before a crowd of 41,027 at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City. The game matched the same teams that met again in the 1957 Rose Bowl. Oregon State scored on its second play from scrimmage on a 30-yard pass, but the extra point attempt was blocked. Oregon State scored again in the third quarter on a 49-yard run by Paul Lowe and led, 13–0, at the start of the fourth quarter. Iowa threw two touchdown passes in a span of six minutes in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.Late Passes Save Hawks, 14–13: Duncan Fires 33-Yard Toss For Clincher The Des Moines Register October 7, 1956 1S, 3S https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8291847/late_passes_save_hawks_1413/ Newspapers.com Wisconsin Wisconsin at Iowa Badgers 0 0 0 7 Hawkeyes 0 6 7 0 October 13 Iowa Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CDT 53,273 1956 Wisconsin Badgers football team Iowa–Wisconsin football rivalry On October 13, Iowa defeated Wisconsin, 13–7, before a crowd of 53,273 at Iowa Stadium. With only a minute remaining in the first half, Iowa drove 84 yards, running eight plays in 59 seconds and scoring on a pitchout from Ken Ploen to Mike Hagler. Iowa scored again on the first drive of the second half on a short run by Ploen, taking a 13–0 lead.Iowa Wins Again in 13–7 Thriller The Des Moines Register Bert McGrane October 14, 1956 1S https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8308861/iowa_wins_again_in_137_thriller/ Newspapers.com Hawaii Hawaii at Iowa Rainbows 0 0 0 0 Hawkeyes 0 14 14 6 October 20 Iowa Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CDT 40,000 On October 20, Iowa defeated Hawaii, 34–0, at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City. Iowa led, 14–0, at halftime and played second, third and fourth-string players in the second half, with a total of 42 Hawkeyes seeing game action. Iowa rushed for 266 yards and held Hawaii to 67 rushing yards.Iowa Batters Hawaii, 34–0, For 4th Win Council Bluffs (IA) Nonpareil October 21, 1956 1B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8322602/iowa_batters_hawaii_340_for_4th_win/ Newspapers.com Purdue Iowa at Purdue Hawkeyes 7 14 0 0 Boilermakers 7 7 0 6 October 27 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana CDT 41,415 1956 Purdue Boilermakers football team On October 27, Iowa (ranked No. 12 in the AP Poll) defeated Purdue, 21–20, before a crowd of 41,415 at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette. Purdue quarterback Len Dawson threw two touchdown passes, and Mel Dillard ran for a third. Iowa also scored three touchdowns, with the difference being a missed extra point. Purdue drove into Iowa territory late in the game, but Purdue fumbled at the 25-yard line with a minute and a half remaining in the game.It's No. 5: Iowa 21, Purdue 20! The Des Moines Register Bill Bryson October 28, 1956 1S https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8305245/its_no_5_iowa_21_purdue_20/ Newspapers.com No. 17 Michigan No. 17 Michigan at No. 7 Iowa No. 17 Wolverines 3 0 7 7 No. 7 Hawkeyes 0 14 0 0 November 3 Iowa Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CST 55,896 1956 Michigan Wolverines football team On November 3, Michigan (ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll) defeated Iowa (ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll) by a 17–14 score before a crowd of 58,137 at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City. The loss was the only one of the year for Iowa. Iowa had not beaten Michigan since 1924. Michigan took a 3–0 lead in the first quarter on a field goal by Ron Kramer. Iowa then scored two touchdowns and led, 14–3, at halftime. One of the Iowa touchdowns was set up when Michigan's quarterback was sacked and fumbled with Alex Karras recovering the ball for Iowa. Michigan's third-string halfback, Mike Shatusky, scored two touchdowns in the second half, a three-yard run in the third quarter and a two-yard plunge with one minute and six seconds remaining in the game.U-M Pulls One Out of the Fire, 17–14 Detroit Free Press Tommy Devine 1D, 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8291628/um_pulls_one_out_of_the_fire_1714/ Newspapers.com at No. 6 Minnesota No. 15 Iowa at No. 6 Minnesota No. 15 Hawkeyes 7 0 0 0 No. 6 Golden Gophers 0 0 0 0 November 10 Memorial Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota CST 64,235 1956 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team Floyd of Rosedale On November 10, Iowa (ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll) defeated Minnesota (ranked No. 6), 7–0, before a crowd of 64,235 at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. Iowa coach implemented a 6-3-2 defense to contain Minnesota's speedy Bobby Cox. After the game, Cox noted: "I couldn't go outside. They forced me to go inside and then some linebacker would nail me."Evy's Defensive Gamble Pays Off to Bottle Up Cox The Des Moines Register November 11, 1956 2S https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8300555/evys_defensive_gamble_pays_off_to/ Newspapers.com The outcome put Iowa into the lead in the race for the conference's Rose Bowl bid. After the game, Iowa's players carried coach Evashevski off the field on their shoulders.Iowa Deflates Gophers, 7–0 The Des Moines Register Bert McGrane November 11, 1956 1S https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8300371/iowa_deflates_gophers_70/ Newspapers.com No. 6 Ohio State No. 6 Ohio State at No. 7 Iowa No. 6 Buckeyes 0 0 0 0 No. 7 Hawkeyes 0 0 6 0 November 17 Iowa Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CST 57,732 39 F, Clear, 5-8 mph wind from SW yes 3 IOWA Gilmore 1 yard rush (Prescott kick failed) IOWA 6–0 yes 1956 Ohio State Buckeyes football team On November 17, Iowa (ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll) defeated Ohio State (ranked No. 6), 6–0, before a crowd of 57,732 at Iowa Stadium. Ohio State went into the game with the second best rushing attack in the country but were held to 147 rushing yards, their lowest rushing yardage total in two years. The result broke Ohio State's winning streak of 17 games against conference opponents and clinched for Iowa the conference championship and a berth in the Rose Bowl. After time expired, Iowa fans hauled down the goal posts and paraded through Iowa City.Iowa to Rose Bowl, 6–0: Hawks Hobble Ohio, Earn at Least Tie for Big Ten Title The Des Moines Register Bert McGrane November 18, 1956 29 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8292030/iowa_to_rose_bowl_60_hawks_hobble/ Newspapers.com Notre Dame Notre Dame at No. 3 Iowa Fighting Irish 0 0 8 0 No. 3 Hawkeyes 14 14 7 13 November 24 Iowa Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CST 56,632 1956 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team On November 24, Iowa (ranked No. 3) defeated Notre Dame, 48–8, before a crowd of 56,632 at Iowa Stadium. The victory, combined with Ohio State's loss, gave Iowa its first undisputed Big Ten championship since 1922. Iowa's 48 points was the fourth highest total allowed by a Notre Dame football team to that point in the program's history. Paul Hornung sprained a thumb 10 minutes into the game and did not return. Iowa rushed for 409 yards and scored on runs of 10 and 41 yards by Ken Ploen, 23 and 61 yards by Fred Harris, and 54 yards by Mike Hagler.Iowa's Champs 48, Irish 8! The Des Moines Register Bill Bryson November 25, 1956 1S https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8292113/iowas_champs_48_irish_8/ Newspapers.com vs. No. 10 Oregon State (Rose Bowl) No. 10 Oregon State vs. No. 3 Iowa No. 10 Beavers 0 6 6 7 No. 3 Hawkeyes 14 7 7 7 January 1 Rose Bowl (stadium)Pasadena, CA 100,000 Mel Allen and Lee Giroux NBC yes 1 2 Iowa Ken Ploen 49-yard run (Prescott kick) Iowa 7-0 Iowa Collins Hagler 9-yard run (Prescott kick) Iowa 14-0 2 2 OSU Tom Berry 3-yard run (kick failed) Iowa 14-6 Iowa Bill Happel 5-yard run (Prescott kick) Iowa 21-6 3 2 Iowa Collins Hagler 66-yard run (Prescott kick) Iowa 28-6 OSU Nub Beamer 1-yard run (kick failed) Iowa 28-12 4 2 Iowa Jim Gibbons 16-yard pass from Ken Ploen (Prescott kick) Iowa 35-12 OSU Sterling Hammack 35-yard pass from Joe Francis (Beamer run) Iowa 35-19 yes 1957 Rose Bowl On January 1, 1957, Iowa defeated Oregon State, 35–19, in the 1957 Rose Bowl. Iowa scored five touchdowns, including a 49-yard touchdown run by Ken Ploen and a 66-yard touchdown run by Collins Hagler.Potent Iowa Speeds to 35–19 Win Over Oregon State in Rose Bowl: Beavers Stunned by Hawks' Speed Los Angeles Times Braven Dyer January 2, 1957 IV–1, IV–4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8283759/potent_iowa_speeds_to_3519_win_over/ Newspapers.com Postseason awards Three Iowa players were picked by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press (UP) as first-team players on the 1956 All-Big Ten Conference football team. They were quarterback Ken Ploen (AP-1, UP-1), end Frank Gilliam (AP-1, UP-1), tackle Alex Karras (AP-1, UP-1), and center Don Suchy (AP-2, UP-1).Hawk Trio On All Big Ten The Spencer Daily Reporter November 30, 1956 4 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1926&dat=19561129&id=52wrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s9kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1097,3709370Mel Dillard on All-Big Ten Team; Iowa Puts Men in Four Positions Alexandria (IN) Times-Tribune November 30, 1956 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8299452/mel_dillard_on_allbig_ten_team_iowa/ Newspapers.com Karras also received first-team honors on the 1956 All-America team from the AP, the Football Writers Association of America, and the Central Press. On December 3, 1956, both the AP and UP released their final college football polls. Both organizations ranked undefeated Oklahoma at the No. 1 spot with Iowa at No. 3.Sooners Win: Tennessee Second in 1956 Poll The Ogden Standard-Examiner 10A https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8316043/sooners_win_tennessee_second_in_1956/ Newspapers.com Standings Deadwood Pioneer Times December 4, 1956 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8316148/final_up_college_football_standings/ Newspapers.com On December 4, 1956, the Heisman Trophy was awarded to Paul Hornung of Notre Dame. Ploen placed ninth in the voting.Hornung Surprised At Heisman Honor Green Bay Press-Gazette December 5, 1956 25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8316601/hornung_surprised_at_heisman_honor/ Newspapers.com 1956 Heisman Trophy Voting Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football January 12, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1956.html On December 16, 1957, Ploen received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable player in the Big Ten.Big 10 Most Valuable to Ploen Chicago Tribune December 16, 1956 2-2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8275767/big_10_most_valuable_to_iowas_ploen/ Newspapers.com 1957 NFL draft Four Iowa players were selected in the 1957 NFL draft, as follows: 2 Iowa Hawkeyes Player Position Round Pick NFL club Frank GilliamEnd776 Green Bay Packers Dan Dobrino Back 10 117 Washington Redskins John Nocera Back 16 182 Philadelphia Eagles Ken Ploen Quarterback 19 222 Cleveland Browns https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1957.htm Reference at www.pro-football-reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com 2018-03-28 2009-05-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20090501161155/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1957.htm dead References Iowa Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons Iowa Hawkeyes football