Before their first win in late September, ISU had lost eighteen consecutive games, the longest losing streak in Division I-AA.[1] The homecoming victory over Montana in mid-October was the Bengals' first conference win in nearly three years.[2]
Previously the offensive line and assistant head coach at Brigham Young University, Kragthorpe was hired in late November 1979,[3] following the resignation of Bud Hake after a winless season.[4]