the 1956 iowa state cyclones football team represented iowa state college of agricultural and mechanic arts (later renamed iowa state university) in the big seven conference during the 1956 ncaa university division football season. in their third and final year under head coach vince difrancesca, the cyclones compiled a 2–8 record (0–6 against conference opponents), finished in last place in the conference, and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 260 to 92. they played their home games at clyde williams field in ames, iowa.