1958 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1958 Iowa Hawkeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 2 2 8–1–1 5–1 Forest Evashevski 7th Randy Duncan Iowa Stadium National champion (FWAA)Big Ten championRose Bowl champion Rose Bowl W 38–12 vs. California The 1958 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 1958 Big Ten football season. In their seventh season under head coach Forest Evashevski, the Hawkeyes compiled an 8–1–1 record (5–1 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 234 to 134.1958 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 17, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1958-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 17, 2025 They played six ranked opponents, defeating No. 6 TCU, No. 4 Wisconsin, No. 8 Northwestern, and No. 15 Notre Dame, but losing to No. 16 Ohio State. They concluded their season with a victory over No. 16 California in the 1959 Rose Bowl. The Hawkeyes were ranked No. 2 in the final AP and UPI polls, but the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected Iowa as the national champion.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 196. The 1958 Hawkeyes gained 2,554 rushing yards and 1,617 passing yards. On defense, they gave up 1,707 rushing yards and 1,213 passing yards.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 161. They led the country in total offense, and their mark of 255.4 rushing yards per game remains an Iowa season record.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 266. The team's statistical leaders included Ray Jauch (524 rushing yards), quarterback Randy Duncan (106-of-179 passing for 1,397 yards), end Don Norton (25 receptions for 374 yards), and Willie Fleming (66 points scored, 27.6 yards per punt return). Duncan was a consensus All-American, received the Walter Camp Trophy and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, and was the No. 1 pick in the 1959 NFL draft. John Nocera was the team captain.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 220. The team played its home games at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Home attendance totaled 329,673 an average of 54,912 per game.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 260. Schedule 1958 AP September 27 w y TCU 6 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 17–0 54,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-iowa-wins-170-on-2nd-ha/168559822/ Sunday Times-Democrat Iowa wins 17–0 on 2nd half surge September 28, 1958 March 22, 2025 Newspapers.com October 4 t y 8 Air Force Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 13–13 48,325 https://www.newspapers.com/article/illinois-state-register-air-force-stuns/200908005/ Illinois State Register Air Force stuns Iowa in 13–13 mix October 5, 1958 July 5, 2026 Newspapers.com October 11 w 17 Indiana Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 34–13 50,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-hawks-trample-ho/200974482/ Wisconsin State Journal Hawks trample Hoosiers, 34–13 October 12, 1958 July 5, 2026 Newspapers.com October 18 w y 13 Wisconsin 4 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI rivalry 20–9 65,241 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-star-iowa-staggers-wisconsin/200975927/ Peoria Journal Star Iowa staggers Wisconsin October 19, 1958 July 5, 2026 Newspapers.com October 25 w 7 Northwestern 8 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 26–20 59,275 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-report-iowa-eleven-explodes-no/200973284/ The Daily Report Iowa eleven explodes Northwestern bubble October 26, 1958 July 5, 2026 Newspapers.com November 1 w y 2 Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 37–14 68,566 Iowa Tags U-M as Buck Bow: Hawkeyes Pull 'Fast One,' 37–14 Detroit Free Press Tommy Devine November 2, 1958 1E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30056742/iowa_tags_um_as_buck_bow_hawkeyes/ Newspapers.com November 8 w y 2 Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN rivalry 28–6 64,485 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-rosy-iowa-wears-b/200972845/ The Sioux City Journal Rosy Iowa wears Big Ten crown November 9, 1958 July 5, 2026 Newspapers.com November 15 l 2 Ohio State 16 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 28–38 58,643 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-terre-haute-tribune-bob-white-don-c/200975713/ The Terre Haute Tribune Bob White, Don Clark spark Ohio State over Iowa, 38–28 November 16, 1958 July 5, 2026 Newspapers.com November 22 w y 6 Notre Dame 15 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 31–21 58,320 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-blade-iowa-registers-3121-win-over/200911081/ Toledo Blade Iowa registers 31–21 win over Notre Dame November 23, 1958 July 5, 2026 Newspapers.com January 1, 1959 w y y 2 California 16 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl NBC 38–12 98,297 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-iowa-runs-over-cal/189564078/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Iowa runs over California in Rose Bowl classic January 2, 1959 July 5, 2026 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1958 Iowa) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/294294 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics July 5, 2026 Rankings November 2025 1958 major college football rankings AP 0 11 13 NR 8 (15) 17 13 (1) 7 (13) 2 (33) 2 (54) 2 (52) 6 (4) 4 (16) 2 (17) Coaches 0 11 2 2 6 2 2 Preseason Prior to 1958, coach Forest Evashevski had compiled a 31–21–3 record in six seasons with the Hawkeyes. His most successful years were the previous two, 1956 and 1957, in which Iowa went 16–2–1. The 1956 team became the first to win the Big Ten Conference championship in 34 years, and their 1957 Rose Bowl victory over Oregon State was the first postseason trip and win in school history. Both teams finished in the top ten in the final AP Poll.Forest Evashevski - Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/hof/roster/player/forest-evashevski-hof 2026-07-21 Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics - Official Athletics Website en-US1956 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1956-schedule.html 2026-07-21 College Football at Sports-Reference.com en Expectations for the 1958 season were high, despite the graduation of two star players. Tackle Alex Karras, who won the 1957 Outland Trophy and was twice selected as an All-American, and end Jim Gibbons, an All-American in 1957, were both drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 1958 NFL draft. Senior quarterback Randy Duncan, who also started in 1957, would be relied on heavily to replace the lost talent. Game summaries TCU 1958 TCU Horned Frogs football team Iowa's season opener against TCU was played under the shadow of a new press box, which would watch over nearly five decades of Hawkeye football. Iowa beat the No. 6 Horned Frogs easily, 17–0. The win shot the Hawkeyes up to No. 8 in the September 29 poll. TCU, the eventual Southwest Conference champions, would finish in the top ten of the final poll with an 8–2–1 record.September 30, 1958 Iowa Moves Up To 8th Place In AP Poll http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-09-30.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 Air Force 1958 Air Force Falcons football team The Air Force Academy had only played two seasons of varsity football when they came to Iowa City on October 4. The Falcons surprised the Hawkeyes with a 13–13 tie. The draw dropped Iowa to No. 17 in the October 6 poll, but Evashevski later said, "If we had beaten the Air Force we never in the world would have won the Big Ten championship." Air Force won their next nine games and tied TCU in the Cotton Bowl Classic to finish in the top ten of the final poll with a 9–0–2 record.October 7, 1958 Weekly Grid Poll Rates Iowa 17th http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-10-07.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 Indiana 1958 Indiana Hoosiers football team Iowa recovered from the tie with Air Force by crushing usually weak Indiana in both teams' Big Ten opener, 34–13. The victory was the Hawkeyes' sixth straight over the Hoosiers and Iowa rose to No. 13 in the October 13 poll.October 14, 1958 Evy Sees Badgers As 'Big One' http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-10-14.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 At Wisconsin 1958 Wisconsin Badgers football team Iowa–Wisconsin football rivalry Wisconsin was Iowa's first test in the Big Ten. The No. 4 Badgers hosted the Hawkeyes on October 18. Iowa had not won in Madison since 1946. It was the second game in four weeks the Hawkeyes had played against a top ten team. Iowa had little trouble with Wisconsin, winning by a score of 20–9, the Badgers' only Big Ten loss of the season. The game would end up deciding the Big Ten championship, as Iowa finished 5–1 in the Big Ten and Wisconsin finished 5–1–1. Having now defeated two top ten teams, Iowa jumped to No. 7 in the October 20 poll.October 21, 1958 Iowa Prepares For Upstart Wildcats Of Northwestern http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-10-21.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 Northwestern 1958 Northwestern Wildcats football team Iowa hosted No. 8 Northwestern on October 25, the third game in five weeks the Hawkeyes had played against a top ten team. It was the first game between two top ten Big Ten teams of the season. Iowa's homecoming game against the Wildcats was tighter than the Wisconsin game, but the Hawkeyes prevailed 26–20. The highlight of the game was All-American end Curt Merz's one-handed touchdown catch. The Hawkeyes' second victory over a top ten team in as many weeks earned them the No. 2 spot in the October 27 poll. The next day, Iowa was ranked No. 1 by United Press International. It was the first time the Hawkeyes had ever topped a national football poll.October 28, 1958 Hawkeyes Rank 2nd In AP Poll http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-10-28.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 At Michigan 1958 Michigan Wolverines football team Michigan was in the midst of its worst season in twenty-two years when undefeated Iowa came to town on November 1. Michigan Stadium was only two-thirds full that day, and the Hawkeyes blew out the uninspired Wolverines. All-Big Ten halfback Willie Fleming opened the scoring, running 72 yards for a touchdown on a punt return on the final play of the first quarter. Halfback Ray Jauch, who led the nation in yards per carry in 1958, ran 74 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter to put Iowa up 14–0. Michigan also scored a touchdown in the second quarter, but Iowa led by eight points at halftime. Michigan scored another touchdown and completed a two-point conversion to tie the game early in the third quarter. Iowa responded with twenty-three unanswered points to win the game 37–14. Bob Jeter had touchdown runs of 3 yards in the third quarter and 27 yards in the fourth quarter, the latter of which was followed by a two-point conversion pass from John Nocera to Curt Merz. Fleming also ran 61 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, which was followed by a two-point conversion pass from Randy Duncan to Merz. The victory was Iowa's first over Michigan in thirty-four years, and Michigan alumnus Evashevski's first in six attempts. Iowa remained No. 2 in the November 3 AP Poll and No. 1 in the November 4 UPI Poll.November 5, 1958 Iowa Remains No. 2 In Poll; LSU Still On Top http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-11-05.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 At Minnesota 1958 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team Floyd of Rosedale Iowa played their final road game of the season in Minneapolis on November 8. Minnesota did not figure to be much of a challenge. The Golden Gophers were 0–6 and had not won a football game in over a year. The Hawkeyes did not disappoint, winning 28–6. The victory clinched the Big Ten championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl for Iowa, whose Big Ten record remained perfect. Iowa remained No. 2 in the November 10 AP Poll, but dropped to No. 2 in the November 11 UPI Poll.November 12, 1958 Fleming Jumps to 2nd Among Iowa Rushers http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-11-12.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 Ohio State 1958 Ohio State Buckeyes football team No. 16 Buckeyes 7 14 7 10 No. 2 Hawkeyes 7 14 7 0 November 15 Iowa Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CST 58,643 Cloudy, wind NE 15 mph, 51 F yes 1 2 OSU Clark 25 yard run (Kilgore kick) OSU 7–0 IOWA Duncan 1 yard run (Prescott kick) TIED 7–7 2 4 OSU White 71 yard run (Kilgore kick) OSU 14–7 IOWA Fleming 1 yard run (Prescott kick) TIED 14–14 OSU White 1 yard run (Kilgore kick) OSU 21–14 IOWA Duncan 3 yard pass to Fleming (Prescott kick) TIED 21–21 3 2 OSU Clark 37 yard run (Kilgore kick) OSU 28–21 3 IOWA Nocera 21 yard run (Prescott kick) TIED 28–28 4 2 OSU White 1 yard run (Kilgore kick) OSU 35–28 yes OSU Kilgore 12 yard field goal OSU 38–28 Ohio State was the only team to beat Iowa in 1957, so the Hawkeyes had a chip on their shoulder when they hosted the No. 16 Buckeyes on November 15. Despite their efforts, Iowa fell to Ohio State, 38–28. It was again the Hawkeyes' only loss of the season, but this year they had already clinched the Big Ten championship. Iowa sank to No. 6 in the November 17 and 18 polls.November 19, 1958 LSU Nears National Football Crown http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-11-19.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 November 24, 1958 Roy Terrell Best of the Toughest https://www.si.com/vault/1958/11/24/564479/best-of-the-toughest Sports Illustrated December 16, 2018 Notre Dame 1958 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Iowa hosted No. 15 Notre Dame on November 22 in the Hawkeyes' final game of the regular season and the seniors' final game in Iowa Stadium. Iowa defeated the Fighting Irish by a score of 31–21. The Hawkeyes finished the season with a 7–1–1 record, as in 1957, but this year they would travel to Pasadena to play the Pacific Coast Conference champion California in the Rose Bowl. Iowa rose to No. 4 and No. 2 in the penultimate AP and UPI Polls on November 24 and 25, respectively.November 25, 1958 California Vs. Iowa In Rose Bowl http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1958/di1958-11-25.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 Vs. California—Rose Bowl Iowa 7 13 12 6 California 0 0 6 6 1958 California Golden Bears football team 1959 Rose Bowl The No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes (7–1–1, 5–1 Big Ten) and the No. 16 California Golden Bears (7–3, 6–1 Pacific Coast) met in the forty-fifth Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 1959, in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Hawkeyes were favored by 18½ points. Randy Duncan helped Iowa take a 14–0 lead with a touchdown run in the first quarter and a touchdown pass to Jeff Langston in the second quarter. The Hawkeye backfield carried Iowa the rest of the way, as Willie Fleming ran for two touchdowns and Bob Jeter, the Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player, and Don Horn each ran for one touchdown. Iowa attempted a Rose Bowl record three two-point conversions and failed on all three, while Bob Prescott made one of two extra points. End Jack Hart scored all of California's twelve points, running for a touchdown in the third quarter and catching a touchdown in the fourth quarter, both of which were followed by failed two-point conversion attempts. Iowa broke four Rose Bowl records: longest run (Jeter 81), team rushing yards (429), team total yards (516) and individual rushing yards (Jeter 194); and tied another Rose Bowl record set by Georgia in 1943: first downs (24). The attendance was 98,297. Team Play Score Iowa Duncan 2 run (Prescott kick) 7–0 Iowa Langston 7 pass from Duncan (Prescott kick) 14–0 Iowa Horn 4 run (kick failed) 20–0 California Hart 1 run (pass failed) 20–6 Iowa Fleming 37 run (pass failed) 26–6 Iowa Jeter 81 run* (pass failed) 32–6 Iowa Fleming 7 run (pass failed) 38–6 California Hart 17 pass from Kapp (run failed) 38–12 Team Iowa California First downs 24* 20 Rushing yards 429* 214 Passing 9–14–0 9–20–2 Passing yards 87 130 Total yards 516* 344 Punts–average 3–41 5–37 Fumbles–lost 3–1 2–2 Penalties–yards 5–55 5–35 Individual Iowa California Rushing Jeter 9–194*, 1 touchdown; Fleming 9–85, 2 touchdowns Olguin 9–62; Patton 9–45 Passing Ogiego 4–5–0, 37 yards Kapp 8–17–1, 126 yards, 1 touchdown Receiving Prescott 3–31 Hart 4–61, 1 touchdown; Garvin 1–31 * Rose Bowl record Personnel Players The following players received varsity letters for their performance on the 1958 Iowa football team: 35em John Brown, fullback, No. 43, 5-11, 165 pounds John A. Burroughs Jr., tackle, senior, No. 72, 6-4, 220 pounds, Youngstown, OH Hugh Drake, guard, No. 66, 6-0, 195 pounds, Shenandoah, IA Randy Duncan, quarterback, senior, No. 25, 6-0, 180 pounds, Des Moines, IA Willie Fleming, halfback, sophomore, No. 15, 5-9, 173 pounds, Hamtramck, MI Kevin Furlong, halfback, No. 47, 5-10, 164 pounds, Detroit Bill Gravel, halfback, No. 14, 5-9, 180 pounds, Hobart, IN Gary Grouwinkel, guard, No. 60, 6-1, 210 pounds Bob Hain, tackle, No. 70, 6-2, 225 pounds, Davenport, IA Don Horn, fullback, No. 30, 5-10, 187 pounds, Wapello, IA Lloyd Humphreys, center, No. 51, 6-1, 198 pounds Ray Jauch, halfback, junior, No. 46, 5-11, 175 pounds, Mendota, IL Bob Jeter, halfback, junior, No. 11, 6-1, 183 pounds, Weirton, WV Paul Karras, tackle, No. 92, 6-1, 210 pounds, Gary, IN Jeff Langston, end, 175 pounds Bill Lapham, center, No. 52, 6-3, 230 pounds, Des Moines, IA Charles Lee, tackle, No. 79, 6-1, 230 pounds John Leshyn, center, No. 90, 5-11, 190 pounds Mac Lewis, tackle, No. 55, 6-6, 280 pounds, Chicago Mark Manders, guard Curt Merz, guard/end, No. 82, 6-4, 215 pounds, Springfield, NJ Ernie Mielke, tackle, No. 96, 6-1, 210 pounds Al Miller, end John Nocera, fullback, senior, No. 33, 6-1, 210 pounds, Youngstown, OH Don Norton, end, No. 89, 6-1, 175 pounds, Anamosa, IA Gerald Novack, guard, No. 65, 6-0, 205 pounds Mitchell Ogiego, quarterback, No. 23, 6-2, 185 pounds Bob Prescott, end, No. 86, 6-3, 200 pounds, Sioux City, IA John Sawin, tackle, No. 78, 6-1, 208 pounds Bill Scott, tackle, No. 71, 6-8, 235 pounds Donald Shipanick, guard, No. 68, 6-0, 175 pounds Jim Spaan, halfback/end, No. 17, 5-11, 183 pounds Olen Treadway, quarterback, No. 22, 5-10, 178 pounds, Muskogee, OK Steve Turner, center, No. 53, 6-0, 190 pounds 2022 Media Guide, pp. 250-258. All-Time Letterwinners https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2004/06/2/all-time-letterwinners-5 University of Iowa Athletics February 21, 2025 Coaches and administrators Head coach: Forest Evashevski Assistant coaches: Jerry Burns, Bob Commings, Jerry Hilgenberg Awards Iowa finished 8–1–1 overall and 5–1 in the Big Ten Conference in 1958. The Hawkeyes won the 1958 Big Ten football championship and the 1959 Rose Bowl Game. The Football Writers Association of America named Iowa the 1958 college football national champion by awarding the team the 1958 Grantland Rice Award.United Press International January 5, 1959 Football Writers Name Iowa No. 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112401770/1958-grantland-rice-award-fwaa-iowa/ The Tribune New York Scrantno, Pennsylvania November 1, 2022 The Hawkeyes finished No. 2 in the final AP and UPI polls, which were released before the bowl games, behind LSU. The final AP Poll ranking is the highest in school history. Iowa also finished No. 2 in the final UPI Poll in 1960. The Hawkeyes led the nation in total offense (405.9 yards per game), were ranked second in passing offense (170.0 yards per game), ninth in rushing offense (235.9 yards per game) and ninth in scoring offense (26.0 points per game). Quarterback Randy Duncan was named the 1958 Big Ten Most Valuable Player and was selected to the 1958 All-Big Ten first team and the 1958 All-America first team (unanimous). He finished second in the 1958 Heisman Trophy voting behind Pete Dawkins of Army. In 1997 Duncan was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. End Curt Merz was selected to the 1958 All-America first team. Halfback Willie Fleming was selected to the 1958 All-Big Ten first team. Thirty-four Iowa Hawkeyes, including Duncan, Merz and Fleming, won letters in 1958. 1959 NFL draft 1959 NFL draft 2 Iowa Hawkeyes Player Position Round Pick NFL club Randy Duncan Quarterback 1 1 Green Bay Packers Mac Lewis Tackle 6 64 Chicago Cardinals Mitch Ogiego Quarterback 7 79 Washington Redskins Back 28 336 Baltimore Colts https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1959.htm Reference at www.pro-football-reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com 2018-08-12 2009-05-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20090527000715/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1984.htm dead References Iowa Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons Iowa Hawkeyes football