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1889-1890 Iowa Football Year in Review

<< 1888-1889

1890-1891 >>

Football was first played as a club sport at Iowa in 1872, with intramural games against other colleges played as early as 1882, but it was not until 1889 that the University of Iowa first officially recognized a varsity football team. On September 26, 1889, Martin Sampson, who would later score the first touchdown in school history, led a meeting regarding the organization of an State University of Iowa (S.U.I.) football team. It was this suggestion that earned Sampson the title of coach and captain of the team. In the following days, Iowa sent out a challenge to any team in the state of Iowa for a game of football. The one team to accept Iowa's challenge: Iowa College (now Grinnell College). The game date was set for November 16, and the preparations for the game began.

Preparations were difficult at Iowa, as proper management and leadership was obviously lacking at team practices. That was hardly the case with practices at Iowa College. With the help of Frank Everest and Lou Van Giesen, two men with playing experience back east, the Pioneers were able to field a competitive team. Iowa was outmatched, and lost the game, 24–0. Although a rematch was scheduled to be played on Thanksgiving, it was canceled due to inclement weather. With that, Iowa College had won the first championship west of the Mississippi River.

Conference: Independent

Head Coach: No coach

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Players:  Arthur Cox, Lloyd Elliott, Frank Pierce, Milton Powers, Martin Sampson, Allen Sanford, Arthur 'A.G.' Smith
Wikipedia Season Summary Page
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