The1959 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was anAmerican football team that represented theUniversity of Iowa as a member of theBig Ten Conference during the1959 Big Ten football season. In their eighth season under head coachForest Evashevski, the Hawkeyes compiled a 5–4 record (3–3 in conference games), finished sixth in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 233 to 100.[1][2] They were ranked in theAP poll for most of the season (peaking at No. 5), dominating against defendingPCC championCalifornia (42–12),Michigan State (37–8),Kansas State (53–0), andMinnesota (33–0), defeatingOhio State (16–7), but losing close games to No. 2Northwestern (10–14), No. 14Purdue (7–14), andNotre Dame (19–20). They were dropped from the final AP poll. The victory over Minnesota was Iowa's 43rd under Evashevski, surpassingHoward Jones to become the winningest coach in Iowa history.[3]
The 1959 Hawkeyes gained 2,151 rushing yards and 1,248 passing yards. On defense, they gave up 1,037 rushing yards and 1,098 passing yards.[4] Iowa's average of 239 rushing yards per game ranks fourth in school history. The scoring defense also ranks fourth in Iowa history, having allowed an average of only 11.1 points per game. They also rank fifth in school history for total defense, having given up only 237.2 yards per game.[5]
The team's statistical leaders included halfbackBob Jeter (609 rushing yards), quarterback Olen Treadway (86-of-147 passing for 1,014 yards), endDon Norton (30 receptions for 428 yards), and fullback Don Horn (42 points on seven touchdowns).[6] Norton was selected by theFootball Writers Association of America forLook magazine as a first-team All-American.[7] Norton and Jeter received first-team All-Big Ten honors from both theAP andUPI.[8][9] Norton and halfbackRay Jauch were the team captains.[10] Norton was also selected as the team's most valuable player.[11]
The team played its home games atIowa Stadium inIowa City, Iowa. Home attendance totaled 279,400 an average of 55,880 per game.[12]
