Iowa State Football History: The 1930's

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. Our fourth part features the 1910's. Archive links will be made below.

1930

After 16 straight losses over two seasons, head coach Noel Workman resigns.

1931

Iowa State announces on Feb. 25 the hiring of Michigan assistant George Veenker as the Cyclone head football coach.

1931

Dressed out in the Maize and Blue of Michigan rather than Cardinal and Gold, Iowa State's football team wins five of its first six games and the Cyclones are the talk of the Midwest. Iowa State finishes second in the Missouri Valley Conference in one of the great reversal of fortunes in Cyclone history. B Roger Bowen and B Dick Grefe earn All-Big Six honors.

1934

Iowa State wins its first four games of the season, the last a 31-6 rout of Iowa at State Field on Oct. 20 before a record crowd of 16,756. HB Tommy Neal rushes for three touchdowns for the Cyclones. Freddy Poole “the Kicking Fool” averages 55 yards on 12 punts for the Cyclones and is named an All-American at season's end. Iowa State would not play Iowa again for 43 years. G Ike Hayes, E Frank Hood, B Harold Miller and E/P Fred Poole are first-team All-Big Six honorees.

1935

Ike Hayes, the diminutive (5-6, 156) lineman and brother of Ohio State coaching legend Woody Hayes, earns All-America honors for the Cyclones. T John Catron is a first-team All-Big Six honoree.

1936

E Clarence Gustine is a first-team All-Big Six choice. After the season, athletics director and head football coach George Veenker resigns his gridiron duties. Line coach “Smilin” Jim Yeager takes command of the Iowa State football program.

1937

G Ed Bock and B Everett “Rabbit” Kischer are first-team All-Big Six selections.

1938

Led by All-Americans, L Ed Bock and QB/HB Everett “Rabbit” Kischer, Iowa State posts a 7-1-1 record and is ranked 18th nationally. The Cyclones' biggest win was an 8-7 victory at Nebraska on Oct. 8, Iowa State's first over the Huskers since 1919. University curfew was lifted to welcome back the team bus which arrived on campus at 1 a.m. to cheers of “Seven-to-Eight, Iowa State.” On Homecoming, Iowa State beats Kansas 21-7 on Oct. 22. At halftime of that game, State Field is renamed Clyde Williams Field. Williams had recently died of cancer. The Cyclones' 10-0 loss to No. 7 and undefeated Oklahoma on Nov. 19 (season finale) is played before a record crowd of 17,884 at Clyde Williams Field. Bock and Kischer are named All-Amercans. E Chuck Heilman and T Clyde Shugart are first-team All-Big Six.

1939

C Jack West is a first-team All-Big Six honoree.

Archives
>> The 1920's
>> The 1910's
>> The 1900's
>> The 1890's

Iowa State University Athletics

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