Perhaps identifying with the success
he had enjoyed while on staff at Oklahoma where the team wore the easily
recognized red helmet with white "OU" on each side, Duncan again used the
Cardinal helmet for the 1980 campaign and placed a Sunflower gold block
letter "I" outline on each side that was otherwise clear. By vertically
stacking Sunflower gold "ISU" lettering within the "I" outline, it allowed
the ISU to stand out against the Cardinal background of the shell. Waldorf
(Iowa) JC transfer Dwayne Crutchfield immediately improved the rushing
attack with 1312 yards and eleven TD's. Opening the season with a five game
win streak only led to fan disappointment as the Cyclones dropped five of
the final six to finish at 6-5 (the 28-17 loss to Kansas was later for added
as a forfeit victory as the Jayhawks had used ineligible players). The
secondary was ranked as the nation's number-two unit with Larry Crawford
joining Crutchfield as an All Big Eight pick. Crawford was the MVP in the
Blue-Gray Game and was a CFL All Pro with the BC Lions. DE Kenny Neil had
four years with the Jets.
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