1970 Wichita State Shockers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1970 Wichita State Shockers football Missouri Valley Conference MVC 0–9 0–4 Ben Wilson † 2nd first 3 games Bob Seaman 1st season, final 6 games John Hoheisel Cessna Stadium The 1970 Wichita Shockers football team was a college football team that represented Wichita State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. The team compiled a 0–9 record (0–4 against conference opponents), finished last out of five teams in the MVC, and was outscored 381 to 99.1970 Wichita State Shockers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 21, 2020 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wichita-state/1970-schedule.html The team played its home games at Cessna Stadium in Wichita, Kansas. Head coach Ben Wilson, 14 players, and 16 others died on October 2 in a plane crash in the Colorado mountains, en route to Utah State in Logan. Bob Seaman took over as head coach after the crash. The team's statistical leaders included Rick Baehr with 513 passing yards, Don Gilley with 290 rushing yards and 12 points scored, Bill Moore with 175 receiving yards.1970 Wichita State Shockers Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 21, 2020 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wichita-state/1970.html Schedule 1970 AP Central y y y September 12 at Texas A&M<ncg> Kyle Field College Station, TX L 14-41 30,006 Ags Rip Wichita By 41-14 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Dick Moore September 13, 1970 B1, B5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57847265/ags-rip-wichita-by-41-14/ Newspapers.com September 19 1:30 p.m. Arkansas State<ncg> Cessna Stadium Wichita, KS L 14-53 30,050–30,055 Arkansas State too much for Wichita State, 53-14 The Salina Journal September 20, 1970 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57847552/arkansas-state-too-much-for-wichita/ Newspapers.com Final 1970 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Arkansas State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/30/stats/13329 National Collegiate Athletic Association October 9, 2022 September 26 8:00 p.m. at West Texas State<ncg> Buffalo Bowl Canyon, TX L 0-43 14,000 Rocky Thompson Leads W. Texas The Odessa American September 27, 1970 3B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57847793/rocky-thompson-leads-w-texas/ Newspapers.com October 3 at Utah State<ncg> Romney Stadium Logan, UT Cancelled Shockers' 1970 Grid Future Still in Doubt The Ogden Standard-Examiner October 4, 1970 2C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57850409/shockers-1970-grid-future-still-in/ Newspapers.com October 10 Southern Illinois<ncg> Cessna Stadium Wichita, KS Cancelled https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan/134797637/ Southern Illinoisan 'Wichita' cannot happen to Salukis October 11, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 24 at No. 9 Arkansas<ncg> War Memorial Stadium Little Rock, AR L 0-62 40,000 Porkers Ram Wichita 62-0 Fort Worth Star-Telegram October 25, 1970 B1, B3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57848220/porkers-ram-wichita-62-0/ Newspapers.com October 31 1:38 p.m. Cincinnati<hc><ncg> Cessna Stadium Wichita, KS L 5-35 27,210–27,610 Fighting Shockers Fall to Cincinnati Daily Tribune (Great Bend, Kansas) November 1, 1970 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57849061/fighting-shockers-fall-to-cincinnati/ Newspapers.com November 7 1:30 p.m. at Tulsa Skelly Stadium Tulsa, OK L 12-21 25,000 Game WSU falls to Tulsa, 21-12 The Salina Journal Doug Tucker November 8, 1970 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57848483/wsu-falls-to-tulsa-21-12/ Newspapers.com November 14 at Memphis State Memphis Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN L 6-51 5,181 McCoy, Shelly Unite for 6 TDs as Memphis State Routs Wichita The Courier-Journal November 15, 1970 C4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57849350/mccoy-shelly-unite-for-6-tds-as/ Newspapers.com November 21 1:30 p.m. North Texas State Cessna Stadium Wichita, KS L 24-41 13,021 Long run for the Shockers But Wichita falls, 41-24 The Salina Journal November 22, 1970 22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57849588/long-run-for-the-shockers-but-wichita/ Newspapers.com November 28 1:40 p.m. Louisville Cessna Stadium Wichita, KS L 24-34 10,356 U of L Battles Back From 17-0 Deficit To Whip Inspired Wichita State 34-24 The Courier-Journal November 29, 1970 C1, C3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57849913/u-of-l-battles-back-from-17-0-deficit/ Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1970 Wichita State) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/296816 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics April 14, 2025 Preseason The team included 22 returning lettermen led by junior quarterback Bob Renner, senior fullback Randy Jackson, and middle linebacker John Hoheisel. Hoheisel, who was described by coach Wilson in the preseason as "the heart and soul of our defense", was selected as the team captain.Garden Plain Gridder Wichita State Captain Garden City Telegram April 29, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57912325/hoheisel-captain/ Newspapers.com Prior to the start of the season, second-year head coach Ben Wilson described his squad as a young club with good team speed, room to improve, and "a chance to surprise a lot of people."Coach Claims Wichita A Possible Shocker The Daily Eagle September 8, 1970 5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57905881/shocker/ Newspapers.com September games On September 12, Wichita State opened its season with a 41–14 loss to Gene Stallings' Texas A&M Aggies before a crowd of 30,006 in College Station, Texas. They followed with losses to Arkansas State on September 19 and West Texas State on September 26. Plane crash Wichita State University football team plane crash On Friday, October 2, 1970, Wichita State traveled to Logan, Utah, in two chartered planes, designated as "Gold" and "Black" according to the school colors, for a game against Utah State on Saturday. The "Gold" plane, carrying the first-team players, staff, and boosters, crashed in the mountains of Colorado, near and below Loveland Pass.Wichita Grid Plane Crashes, Kills 29 En Route to Logan The Salt Lake Tribune October 3, 1970 1, 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57835127/wichita-grid-plane-crashes-kills-29-en/ Newspapers.com Thirty-one persons were killed in the crash, including the following 14 players:Victims Of Crash The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah) October 4, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57843327/victims-of-crash/ Newspapers.com Marvin Brown, sophomore, running back, Solomon, Kansas - age 18 Don Christian, junior, defensive back, Duncan, Oklahoma - age 22Funds Formed As Memorial To Christian The Daily Oklahoman October 7, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57853188/funds-formed-as-memorial-to-christian/ Newspapers.com John Dunren, sophomore, quarterback, Oklahoma City - age 19 Ron Johnson, senior, defensive back, Kansas City, Missouri - age 21 Randy Kieusau, junior, running back, Clinton, Oklahoma - age 20 Mal Kimmel, center, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri - age 21Former M.A.F.C. All-Conference Center Is Among Dead in Football Plane Crash The Daily Journal October 5, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56795520/death-story-in-5/ Newspapers.com Carl Krueger, sophomore, tackle, Chicago - age 19 Steve Moore, senior, linebacker, Derby, Kansas - age 21 Tom Owen, junior, running back, Temple Terrace, Florida - age 20Tommy Owen: Model Boy, Peerless Leader The Tampa Tribune October 3, 1970 1C, 2C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57852707/tommy-owen/ Newspapers.com Gene Robinson, junior, offensive end, Dayton, Ohio - age 21Former Buster Gene Robinson: Fund Established For Crash Victim Garden City Telegram October 26, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57852990/former-buster-gene-robinson/ Tom Shedden, junior, tackle, Oklahoma City - age 20 Rick Stines, guard, Kansas City, Kansas - age 19 John Taylor, back, Sherman, Texas - died later in the month from injuries sustained in the crashJohn Taylor, Wichita Grid Player, Dies The Sheboygan Press October 29, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57851898/obituary-for-taylor/ Newspapers.com Jack Vetter Jr., senior, lineman, McPherson, Kansas - age 22Jack Vetter jr. service Thursday The Salina Journal October 7, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57850889/jack-vetter-jr-service-thursday/ Newspapers.com The fatalities also included head coach Ben Wilson (and his wife Helen), athletic director Bert Katzenmeyer (and his wife Marian), team manager Marty Harrison (age 19), team trainer Tom Reeves, admissions director Carl Fahrbach, ticket manager Floyd Farmer, Shocker Club chairman Ray Coleman (and his wife Maxine), Kansas state representative Ray King (and his wife Yvonne), the plane's pilot Dan Crocker, and two stewardesses.Remembering the 1970 Wichita State football plane carsh The Wichita Eagle Paul Suellentrop October 1, 2015 https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article37204563.htmlESPN Classic – Wichita State suffers tragic plane crash In addition to the 14 players killed, eight other players survived the crash with varying degrees of injury: Mike Bruce, tight end/offensive tackle, Sherman, Texas - He later recalled: "When we climbed out of the plane, I could tell I was in about the best condition. I headed down the mountain to get help and a pickup came and took me up to a construction site where we called for help."Remembering the 1970 Wichita State football plane crash The Wichita Eagle October 2, 2015 B3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57921290/remembering-the-1970-wichita-state/ Newspapers.com John Hoheisel, linebacker and team captain, Garden Plain, Kansas - hospitalized in fair condition after the crashValiant Display Chillicothe Gazette October 26, 1970 15 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57855750/valiant-display/ Newspapers.com Randy Jackson, fullback, Atlanta, Texas - escaped through a hole in the fuselage; hospitalized in serious condition after the crash with deep lacerations on his face and multiple bruises; he returned from his injuries to lead the 1971 team with 820 rushing yards and 48 points scored1971 Wichita State Shockers Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 21, 2020 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wichita-state/1971.html Glenn Kostal, linebacker, Chicago - dug his way out from under a pile of debris, dirt and tree limbs and crawled through a rip in the fuselage; sustained a broken legPlane Crash Survivor Calls It 'A Miracle' Lancaster New Era October 3, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57854078/plane-crash-survivor-calls-it-a/ Newspapers.comSurvivor recalls horror of crash that killed team The Iola Register October 4, 1976 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57920750/survivor-recalls-horror-of-crash-that/ Newspapers.com Dave Lewis, lineman, Duncan, Oklahoma - listed in satisfactory condition after the crash Keith Morrison, defensive end, Hawkins, Texas - thrown from the plane as it crashed, he sustained major injuries to his right foot and ankle, a deep gash to his knee, and burn injuries on his right arm and backEast Texas Survivor Tells Of Air Crash The Marshall News Messenger October 4, 1970 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57855242/east-texas-survivor-tells-of-air-crash/ Newspapers.comAir Crash Ends Grid Career The Marshall News Messenger Jerry Arnold October 22, 1970 1A, 2A https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57854686/air-crash-ends-grid-career/ Newspapers.com Bob Renner, junior, quarterback, Garden Plain, Kansas - listed in satisfactory condition after the crash; sustained a leg injury in the crash and was unable resume his role as the team's No. 1 quarterbackFresh Start at Wichita: Rarely Mention 'Crash' The Miami Herald August 29, 1971 7D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57920148/fresh-start-at-wichita/ Newspapers.com Rick Stephens, lineman, Andover, Kansas - thrown from the airplane in the crash and knocked unconscious, lost several teethSurviving Oct 2nd: Remembering the Fallen with Rick Stephens WSUTV November 5, 2018 August 23, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RGde1hYBmo On the scheduled game day, the team held a memorial service at Romney Stadium in Logan and placed a wreath on the 50-yard line.Wichita State Was 'Closely Knit' Team The Daily Herald (Provo, UT) October 4, 1970 12 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57835354/wichita-state-was-closely-knit-team/ Newspapers.com Classes at Wichita State were canceled for Monday, October 5, and a memorial service was held that evening at the school's Cessna Stadium.Memorial Service At Cessna Stadium Council Grove Republican October 5, 1970 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57835632/memorial-service-at-cessna-stadium/ Newspapers.com The following month, Southern Airways Flight 932 carrying the Marshall University football team crashed, killing 37 members of that team.Wichita, Marshall Aircraft Disasters Not Similar The Napa Valley Register November 16, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57861073/wichita-marshall-aircraft-disasters/ Newspapers.com At the end of the season, a nationally televised fundraising program hosted by Monty Hall was aired to raise money for the victims of the two crashes.'Wichita-Marshall Night' Funds Earmarked For Scholarships Latrobe Bulletin November 30, 1970 16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57913198/wichita-marshall-night/ Newspapers.com "Second season" After the crash, the team's scheduled games against Utah State and Southern Illinois were cancelled. However, the surviving members of the team voted 76-to-1 to complete the 1970 schedule.WSU Votes To Play Council Grove Republican October 12, 1970 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57840187/wsu-votes-to-play/ Newspapers.com The remaining portion of the schedule was designated the "second season."Wichita State Will Open 'Second Season' Saturday Moberly Monitor-Index & Evening Democrat October 21, 1970 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57835877/wichita-state-will-open-second-season/ Newspapers.com Assistant coach Bob Seaman took over as the team's head coach after the crash.Competition Best Therapy For Saddened Shockers Dayton Daily News Lew Ferguson October 21, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57836272/competition-best-therapy-for-saddened/ Newspapers.com On October 24, 1970, the team played the first game after the crash. With permission from the NCAA, the Shockers played seven freshmen in their starting lineup. Facing an Arkansas team ranked No. 9 in the country, Wichita lost by a 62–0 score. The Arkansas crowd cheered for the effort demonstrated by Wichita State, and Arkansas coach Frank Broyles benched his first team after seven minutes and used 61 players in the game.61 Hogs Play: Arkansas Fans Cheer Wichita Fort Worth Star-Telegram October 25, 1970 3B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57898274/arkansas-fans-cheer-wichita/ Newspapers.com On October 31, the Shockers lost by at 35–5 score to Cincinnati before a homecoming crowd of 27,210. Prior to the game, a 15-minute ceremony featuring astronaut John Swigert was held to commemorate the team's return to Cessna Stadium for its first game since the crash. The Shockers started seven freshmen and 10 sophomores and scored five points on a 37-yard field goal by John Potts and a safety when Cincinnati quarterback Bill Carter was tackled in the end zone. On November 7, the Shockers showed marked improvement in a 21–12 loss to Tulsa. Trailing 21–6 in the fourth quarter, Wichita's freshman quarterback Tom Owen threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to wingback Tim Thissen to narrow the score to 21–12. On November 14, Wichita lost to Memphis State by a 51–6 score. The Shockers only points were scored in the first quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Tom Owen to Eddie Plopa. On November 21, the Shockers lost to 1970 North Texas State Eagles North Texas State by a 41–24 score. The highlight of the game for Wichita was a 105-yard kickoff return by tailback Don Gilley in the first quarter. Wichita's freshman quarterback Rick Baher also threw two touchdown passes, and John Potts kicked a 47-yard field goal. In the final game of the season, the Shockers took a 17–0 lead over Lee Corso's bowl-bound Louisville Cardinals. However, the Cardinals came back to win the game by a 34–24 score. Roster The following players from the 1970 team were not on the plane that crashed: Rick Baehr, led the team with 513 passing yards Warren Barkell Jim DeFontes Don Gilley, led the team with 290 rushing yards and 12 points scored Robin Hardridge Wayne Haynes John Lee Bernie Leece Mark McClellan Bill Moore, led the team with 12 receptions and 175 receiving yards Eddie Plopa Chris Sutherland Lou Tabor Tim Thissen John Yeros References External links "Black & Gold: Remembering The WSU Plane Carsh" - PBS feature documentary on the 1970 plane crash "Surviving Oct 2nd: Remembering the Fallen with Rick Stephens" - short documentary piece produced by WSU TV Wichita State Category:Wichita State Shockers football seasons Category:College football winless seasons Wichita State Shockers football