ISU

Stapleton, having difficulty recruiting the proper players for a Single Wing and with literally no high schools playing the formation regularly, switched to a Wing-T for '62. He also simplified the ISU helmet, using a plain gold shell. All American Dave Hoppman who had played QB in high school took over at that position although he occasionally performed at halfback, and brought the squad to another 5-5 record that may have improved if the defense had been better. His sterling play again earned him All American honors and he led the Big Eight in total offense for the third season. Hoppman went on to play for Montreal of the CFL for two seasons. Soph FB Tommy Vaughn had exceeded all of the Troy, Ohio High School records set by Ohio State All American and future Steeler FB Bob Fergeson and he rushed for 597 yards. WR Ozzie Clay (who was with the Redskins in '64) and HB Dave Hoover provided offensive assistance. Two-way tackle Chuck Walton handled the line chores and later played for the Lions for eight seasons after first starring in the CFL for four years. For '63 Stapleton made another adjustment in his offense, moving to a Slot-T and utilizing Dave Hoover at QB and All Conference and FWA All American Vaughn at FB where he rushed for 795 yards. Vaughn's 15.69 punt return average for the season still ranks second on ISU's all-time list and like a few of the Cyclone players, he was a worthy two-way performer. Dick Limerick was the leading receiving threat and All Big Eight center John Berrington from Honolulu and tackle John Van Sicklen provided the protection for the 4-5 Cyclones whose final game versus Drake was canceled due to an outbreak of a flu epidemic. The real excitement was on the freshmen team that boasted a great backfield.

The move to two-platoon football wasn't completely implemented at ISU until part-way through the 1964 season and they could only beat Drake and tie Arizona in a 0-0 sleeper while going 1-8-1. Tommy Vaughn was moved from FB to HB and named to some All American teams for his rushing and returning numbers. Vaughn was also an Academic All American and played safety for seven years with the Lions before returning to Ames as an assistant coach under Earle Bruce. New Mexico Military Institute (JC) transfer Tim Van Galder took over at QB after his broken collarbone healed, and discovered pass catching ability in sophomores, RB Tony Baker (who also rushed for a 4.1 average) and WR Eppie Barney who doubled at DB. An unfortunate statistic was the absence of even one thrown TD pass for the entire season! Center John Berrington again was the guy up front and All Big Eight DT John Van Sicklen stood out. Soph DB Larry Carwell was a bright spot in an undistinguished secondary.

Throwing the ball to the tune of 1418 yards in completions to lead the Big Eight in 1965, QB Tim Van Galder found Big Eight reception leader Eppie Barney with thirty-five catches for 495 yards. Barney was All Conference but junior HB Baker was on the pros' list for both his receiving and running skills. Center Dick Kasperek had three seasons with the Cardinals after doing well at the ISU pivot. Defensively, DT Frank Goodish, a huge 6'7", appeared to have a world of talent but he would be gone for disciplinary reasons, then play for Joe Kerbel's West Texas State team until he proved uncontrollable. Goodish eventually landed a try-out with the Redskins in the early 1970's and almost made the cut but pursued pro wrestling. He became very famous as "Bruiser Brody" and tragically was murdered by another wrestler in the arena while in Puerto Rico. Larry Carwell again led the secondary during this 5-4-1 season. With Drake off of the 1966 schedule, the Cyclones were denied one annual guaranteed victory and skidded to 2-6-2 despite QB Van Galder's career mark of 3417 passing yards. He would move on to spend six years on the Cardinals roster. HB Les Webster led the way with 570 yards and six TD's and wingback Tom Busch was the number-two receiver in the conference. All Big Eight choice WR Eppie Barney finished strongly and then returned to his hometown of Cleveland to play for the Browns for two seasons. DB Carwell had another strong showing before heading off to the Oilers as the round-three choice. After two years in Houston, he played another four for the Patriots, later losing his life in the line of duty as an FBI Agent. The team's offensive production was hampered by Tony Baker leaving school. He played for the Des Moines Warriors of the Pro Football League Of America, one of the minor leagues of the day, and then went to the Saints in 1968. Baker was a Pro Bowl pick in 1969 where he led the NFL with his 4.8 yards-per-carry average. He lasted eight years in the NFL playing with four teams and unfortunately, died at the age of fifty-two when returning home from his Burlington, Iowa high school reunion.