Countdown to 2019 IUFB Kickoff: 35 Days (Tom Nowatzke)

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

 2019 Countdown - #35

Name – Tom Nowatzke

Position – Fullback/Kicker (Legacy Hoosier 1962-1964)

Hometown – La Porte, Indiana (Elston H.S.)

Height – 6’3”

Weight – 230

We are now just five weeks away from the kickoff of the Indiana Hoosiers’ football season. The Hoosiers face the Ball State Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31st at noon. Today, we hop in the time machine and head back to the 1960’s to take a look at one of the best and most versatile players in IU football history, Tom Nowatzke.

Nowarzke was born in La Porte, Indiana in 1942 and played his high school football at Michigan City (Ind.). Nowatzke earned three varsity letters in football at IU from 1962 through 1964. Nowatzke had a tremendous junior year kicking and playing fullback for the Hoosiers as he earned the team’s MVP award after leading them in rushing.

He followed the 1963 season up with an even better 1964 season, when he was a first team All-Big Ten selection and an All-American while playing fullback and being the place kicker. He set then-records for points in a season with 73 and points in a single game (21 vs. Oregon).

After his career ended at IU, Nowatzke went on the play eight seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Colts. He played in 96 games and amassed 1,854 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns.

Nowatzke was elected to the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995 and the State of Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

HUTCH’S TRIVIA QUESTION

In honor of the late Terry Hutchens, we are including a daily IUFB trivia question from his book So You Think You Know Indiana University Football. Hutch is dearly missed and this is our way of keeping his memory with us this season. Please leave your answers in the comments section.

Former Hoosier, All-American, Jason Spriggs wore this number at IU

Yesterday’s Answer: Jeff Thomas

 (check back tomorrow for the answer)

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown continues each day so check back daily!