1907

November 2
JINXED BY A COTTONTAIL
Following two intercollegiate victories and a win over the alumni, the Hawkeyes faced Wisconsin on home ground. At halftime, Iowa led 5-0. But as the teams squared off to begin the second period, a rabbit appeared at the Wisconsin goal, proceeded to hop the entire length of the field, and exited between the Iowa goal posts. Later, a Badger player followed the cottontail’s trail to score a touchdown. Then a wind-blown punt tied the score and a Wisconsin goal made the Badgers victorious.

Though the game was marked by high winds and fumbles, Iowans blamed the miscreant rabbit for their loss. Preparing to meet Illinois the following week, Coach Mark Catlin announced to the team that a rabbit hunt would precede Wednesday’s practice.

The men flushed the rabbit from its warren beneath the grandstand and as the hapless animal sped down the hillside, Coach Catlin took aim and fired. Mortally wounded, the rabbit flipped three times, giving a clear indication to Trainer O’Brien that Iowa would succeed in scoring three touchdowns against the Illini. O’Brien hung the animal’s carcass on the fence to prophesy the grisly defeat Illinois would meet on Saturday and—in a paradoxical ritual—the players touched the animal’s left hind foot for good luck.

A headline in the Thursday edition of the student newspaper proclaimed that “Rabbit Hunt Yesterday Resulted in Death of Hoodoo—Sure Sign of Victory Against Illinois.” Perhaps thanks to the mystic power of a martyred cottontail, Iowa did go on to defeat Illinois, 25-12.

November 24
Emotions ran high during Iowa’s intrastate contest with Ames. When an Iowa State end named Reppert injured Hawkeye quarterback Chick Kirk, Iowa fans were convinced of foul play. It didn’t help that Ames beat Iowa 20-14.

On January 10, 1908, Iowa’s Board in Control of Athletics severed all athletic relations with Ames, reportedly because an Ames player had violated eligibility rules.

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