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12/30/1986 (1986-1987)
Sea World Holiday Bowl

Jack Murphy Stadium [San Diego, California]

#19 Iowa vs San Diego State #19 Iowa Hawkeyes Football vs San Diego State on 12/30/1986 - HawkeyeRecap.com

W 39 - 38

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Head Coach: Hayden Fry
Attendance: 59,473

RECAP

Rob Houghtlin's 41-yard field goal as time expired culminated an 18-point blitz in the final 8:39 and helped Iowa down San Diego State 39-38 in the ninth annual Holiday Bowl. The Hawkeyes stormed back on a pair of Mark Vlasic TD throws in the final period to take a 36-35 lead. SDSU's Kevin Rahill booted a 21-yard FG with 0:47 left to give the Aztecs a 38-36 advantage.

Kevin Harmon returned the ensuing kickoff to the SDSU 37-yard line, and Houghtlin kicked the game winner four plays later. Iowa was able to win only after converting two-point conversions following two of its final three touchdowns.

1 2 3 4 F

Iowa 7 6 8 18 39

San Diego State 6 15 7 10 38

SUMMARY

Game Summary Articles
+ Holiday Bowl Game Recap

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HIGHLIGHTS

FULL GAME

PLAYER GAME QUOTES

Hayden Fry loves Iowa. His players love him. The state loves him. There ain't nothing in Los Angeles. What I'm saying is no university in the world can offer him what Iowa offers him. Money's not an issue with Coach Fry. He's such a genuine man. If they offer him so much money, he won't go.
-- Rob Houghtlin
About the rumors that Hayden and staff were considering the open job at USC.

COACH GAME QUOTES

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DETAILED TEAM STATS

Statistics Iowa San Diego State

Total First Downs 21 17

Rushing Attempts 41 36

Rushing Yards 141 117

Rushing TDs 3 2

Yards per Rush 3.4 3.3

Passes Completed 15 21

Passes Attempts 29 33

Pass Completion % 51.7% 63.6%

Passing TDs 2 3

Passing Yards 222 298

Passing Yards per Completion 14.8 14.2

Passing Yards per Attempt 7.7 9.0

Touchdowns 5 5

Total Plays 70 69

% of Rushing Plays 58.6% 52.2%

% of Passing Plays 41.4% 47.8%

Total Offense 363 415

Yards per Play 5.2 6.0

Lost Fumbles 1 0

Interceptions 1 2

Turnovers 2 2

Penalties 4 7

Penalty Yards 17 70

Yards per Penalty 4.3 10.0

Possession Time 30:13 29:47

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#19 Iowa Hawkeyes Football vs San Diego State on 12/30/1986 - HawkeyeRecap.com - Summary of Iowa football and basketball games

2025-2026 FB Record
6 - 3
(3 games remaining)

2025-2026 MBB Record
2 - 0
(29 games remaining)

2025-2026 WBB Record
2 - 0
(27 games remaining)

2025-2026 W Record
1 - 0
(22 games remaining)

2025-2026 WW Record
2 - 0
(18 games remaining)

12/30/1986 (1986-1987)
Sea World Holiday Bowl

Jack Murphy Stadium [San Diego, California]

Jack Murphy Stadium [San Diego, California]

#19 Iowa vs San Diego State #19 Iowa Hawkeyes Football vs San Diego State on 12/30/1986 - HawkeyeRecap.com