A question to you older fanatics: Donnie Duncan
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In 1982, Donnie brought in a couple of interesting transfer quarterbacks. The best known would be David Archer From Snow JC in Idaho, who went on the long career with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, and then in the WLAF and CFL. He then returned to Atlanta, where he works to this day as the Falcons radio color commentator. When looking him up just now, I see he posted a Tweet following the ISU @ Iowa MBB game earlier this month. I was glad to see he still identifies with ISU!!
Going into that season, though, I remember assuming that the starter would instead be a transfer from Michigan State named Jon English. I was wrong about that, although Jon may have been the Cyclone who had been the most highly regarded out of high school, ranked #16 overall in 1979 by one source, and having been mentioned in the same breath as Dan Marino and John Elway.
Another one of Duncan's transfers, Harold Brown, may have been the most intriguing as an RB out of Joliette JC, where he had broken OJ Simpson's single season rushing record. While in High School, he had offers at one time from both Michigan and Ohio State before a tragic injury to his neck. I found an article from the Colorado Springs Gazette from 2005, which chronicled Harold's odyssey from High School to a near miss at a pro career. That is an interesting read, since it quoted Earle Bruce in his first year as tOSU HC, and Duncan's DC Larry Coyer, who would go on to coach in the USFL and NFL (and again with ISU).
Going into that season, though, I remember assuming that the starter would instead be a transfer from Michigan State named Jon English. I was wrong about that, although Jon may have been the Cyclone who had been the most highly regarded out of high school, ranked #16 overall in 1979 by one source, and having been mentioned in the same breath as Dan Marino and John Elway.
Another one of Duncan's transfers, Harold Brown, may have been the most intriguing as an RB out of Joliette JC, where he had broken OJ Simpson's single season rushing record. While in High School, he had offers at one time from both Michigan and Ohio State before a tragic injury to his neck. I found an article from the Colorado Springs Gazette from 2005, which chronicled Harold's odyssey from High School to a near miss at a pro career. That is an interesting read, since it quoted Earle Bruce in his first year as tOSU HC, and Duncan's DC Larry Coyer, who would go on to coach in the USFL and NFL (and again with ISU).
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UAB. Just saying it is not out of realm of possibility that Bama killed the program. Tin foil hat on.
Johnny Majors used two quarterbacks in the same backfield when George Amundsen was a soph and Dean Carlson was a junior. The next year, Majors put Amundsen at running back because he didn't want his one of his two best talents sitting on bench while the other played. Amundsen became our first 1,000 yard rusher (and I think they only played ten games then). Amundsen moved back to quarterback for his senior year when Carlson graduated. Carlson played quarterback in the pros and Amundsen was our highest draft choice as a running back.
I don't think I've ever heard anyone post about David Archer being a Cyclone. Nice to know.
This is true. I personally remember leaving the last home game of 1975 (we finished 3-8, third season with same record) and the whole stadium was singing, "So Long Earle, We Hate To See You Go".
But the 1976 team was the greatest ISU team I have ever seen - no exaggeration. We had the #3 ranked offense and Dexter Green had a break-out year at RB. Unfortunately, we lost our last game to underdog OSU and didn't get invited to a bowl, despite our 8-3 record. ...
The frustrating thing the fans had against Bruce, was for last two years, despite going 8-3 both years, College ball was changing in 77-80 due to the passing game and Bruce, an ex-Woody Hayes asst, would run Dexter Green 25-30 times a game and rarely passed. I think a lot of fans were frustrated at the predictable offense.
Regarding Duncan replacing Bruce, you have to consider Duncan was one of the top recruiters on the staff. They just had Heisman winner Sims, and were a couple years removed from a National Championship. In addition to Crutchfield, Duncan's OU connections also had him zeroed in on Dave Archer and other really good players, including one of the greatest kickers - Alex Giffords.
Donnie Duncan - 1979
Just heard one of Donnie's guys Vinny Cerrato interviewed on a sports talk show here in the SF Bay area today. Vinny has been around the NFL a lot in various exec positions. Last job was with the Redskins. Sounds like he's co-hosting a show on a sports talk station in Baltimore these days.
Just to clarify things. Vinny Cerrato graduated from High School in 1977 and was an Earle Bruce recruit.
Archer was a great Cyclone qb for the two years he was here, even though he spent a lot of time running for his life. Imo he and Seneca were the two most talented qb's I've seen following Cyclone football the last 45 years.
Earle Bruce should not get credit for that prolific offense since the QB, Wayne Stanley was a Johnny Majors recruit. I have learned on CF that a current head coach does not credit for winning with previous coaches' recruits.
Hardeman went to the pros as a RB. Where did Wayne Stanley play in the NFL?
I get the sarchasm, but it's true that a coach really doesn't have most or all of his own players until years 4,5, and 6, and those were pretty good years for Earl.
Good. You get the sarcasm. In year 1 of CPR we played our weakest schedule under him. 4 Non-conference games and North Division schedule. And there were instrumental players recruited by CPR that were crucial. Like David Sims at Safety who was voted Big 12 Newcomer of the Year that year.
Loved Earle Bruce. And yes there were naysayers out there saying we should fire him.
Funny that you can't remember that we had a 4-7 record in 1975. Three straight years of 4-7 records to start out the Earle Bruce Era.
I never wanted to miss a Tuesday luncheon when Earl was speaking. He'd be talking about an opponent or game situation and then suddenly pound the podium with fire in his eyes that made you want to hit somebody. The look on his player's faces as they entered the field could kill.
That's exactly what he is saying and he is Right On Brother.....
The board of regents wanted ISU to have a Lousy Football Program and the Administration Obliged them.....
This football program hasn't ever come close to where it was with Earle Bruce..State Politics and Jealousy destroyed ISU Football.
Yur forgetting the defense with Tom Randall...Mike and Maynard Stensrud and Tom Boskey and Ron McFarland...
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That was a great defense. ISU ran an attack-style defense from 1976-1978 with good results.
Yur right Vinny C played against KState in Ames in 1978...I saw him play from my 50 yard line seat.....
Actually I don't think you are correct. Earle Bruce's frost three years he went 3-8, then went 8-3 the following three years.
I was was recruited by Coach Bruce in 1975. A very unassuming man. Nice guy, very honest and straight forward. He had great assistants.
The biggest issue back then was the racial issue at ISU. I remember eating at the training table and the divide was apparent. I think there were two running backs back then, one white, the other black...and the media tabbed them as the W W Express. I think their names were Jim Wingender and the last name of the other back was Williams. It was the Williams that told me at a party if I was uncomfortable with the racial tension, then I shouldn't go to ISU. Scared the crap out of me. I was definitely a naive small town Iowa farm boy back then.
I think it was in '77 and '78 that they defeated Nebraska back to back in somewhat convincing manner. Names back then were Wayne Stanley, Buddy Hardeman, wingander, Williams. On my recruit trip, I stayed with a guy from Harlan. I blink his name was Larson. They called him Tank. He was a monster.
anyway,that's what I recall. I may stand corrected but I think I'm correct. It might have been in Bruce's last year, all they had to do was beat Oklahoma State, and they would have won at least a piece of the conference title. We lost that game, and I think it was in Stillwater.
Yhis is really taxing my memory.
Wikipedia says he was 4-7 three straight years then 8-3 plus two bowl losses the next three. I'm sorry. For some reason I had in my head he was 3-8 for three then 8-3 the next three. Anyway.....sorry
Merry Christmas
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