"Rube" Hoy noted that the talent shortage continued in 1945: "The success of football this year will largely depend on the number of 16 and 17-year-old boys coming to school this fall, plus the discharged veterans.
[2] Grant Heckenlively was hired as the program's new head coach.
He had played center for the team from 1937 to 1940, served in the military during the war, and had been recently discharged.
[2] In mid-September, 30 students showed up for the team's pre-season practice.
[3] The team played its home games at Inman Field in Vermillion, South Dakota.