Preseason
Prior to 1958, coach Forest Evashevski had compiled a 31-21-3 record in six seasons with the Hawkeyes. His most successful years were the previous two, 1956 and 1957, in which Iowa went 16-2-1. The 1956 team became the first to win the Big Ten Conference championship in thirty-four years, and their Rose Bowl victory over Oregon State was the first postseason trip and win in school history. Both teams finished in the top ten in the final Associated Press Poll.
Expectations for the 1958 season were high, despite the graduation of two star players. Tackle Alex Karras, who won the 1957 Outland Trophy and was twice selected as an All-American, and end Jim Gibbons, an All-American in 1957, were both drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 1958 NFL Draft. Senior quarterback Randy Duncan, who also started in 1957, would be relied on heavily to replace the lost talent.
Read more about this topic: 1958 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Team