UTEP’s Holiday Bowl View : Iowa Experience Seems Too Much for the Aztecs

Iowa’s bowl experience, plus its bigger and better athletes will beat San Diego State in the Holiday Bowl Dec. 30.

At least that’s what some Texas El Paso players, who have seen both teams this season, are predicting. Iowa beat UTEP, 69-7. The Aztecs eked out a 15-10 victory over the Miners. So the scores may have something to do with the UTEP opinion--although most of the players interviewed expect a closer game than such a comparison would indicate.

Here’s why UTEP players pick Iowa to win:

Receiver Barry Parker: “I’d pick Iowa because it has more great athletes than San Diego State. Plus, Iowa has bowl experience and it plays a tougher schedule than San Diego State. But we’ll be pulling for San Diego State because it is in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference).”

Cornerback Robert Murray: “I’d probably pick Iowa because of its bowl experience. Plus, Iowa has Hayden Fry, who is a very good coach. I think Iowa has the better team, but I don’t think it will blow San Diego State out.

“If you look at it from the standpoint of when they both played us, Iowa should win by a lot. You can’t judge by that. We were down and made a lot of mental errors when we played Iowa. We played one of our better games against San Diego State.”

Quarterback Sammy Garza: “I’d say Iowa probably has the edge in size, plus it has big backs who can run and break tackles.”

Fullback Tommy Bonds: “If San Diego State plays well, it’ll be a tight game. I think Iowa will come out on top because of its size.”

The Hawkeyes, who averaged 4.5 yards per rushing attempt, have an offensive line that averages 6-feet 5-inches and 275 pounds.

“If you’re not about 6-7, I think Hayden Fry says you can’t play the offensive line,” Bonds said.

SDSU’s defensive line had eight sacks in Saturday’s 10-3 victory over Brigham Young, Levi Esene getting 3 1/2.

“If San Diego State controls Iowa’s offensive line, (the Aztecs) will have an excellent chance to win,” Garza said. “Iowa has a very good offensive line. I think the game will be decided up front.”

Although long noted for its running game, Iowa has an effective passing offense. The Hawkeyes, with Mark Vlasic and Tom Poholsky, have averaged 27 passes and 228 yards a game. And Vlasic, who missed most of the season with a separated shoulder, is expected to play in the Holiday Bowl.

“Iowa has a real good passing attack to go with its running game,” Murray said. “San Diego State is the type of team that can be down for a quarter then explode on you. I think San Diego State has a better running game than Iowa. Chris Hardy is a great running back. Iowa will have trouble with him.”

SDSU has a balanced attack. Quarterback Todd Santos is third in the WAC in total offense and Hardy is third in rushing.

But against BYU, the Aztecs had difficulty containing the Cougars’ defensive line and Santos was sacked eight times. SDSU, which had to replace three offensive line starters during the season because of injuries, allowed 49 sacks in 11 games. Iowa recorded 28 sacks in 11 games.

“Iowa has a better defensive line than BYU,” Bonds said. “That’s not taking anything away from (BYU’s) Jason Buck or Shawn Knight. It’s just that Iowa has so much size.”

SDSU has attempted to combat defensive lines by using a controlled passing game. The Aztecs throw more to their running backs and tight end than to wide receivers. The team’s top three receivers were fullback Corey Gilmore (48 receptions), tight end Robert Awalt (45) and Hardy (36).

“Iowa had the best secondary we faced,” Parker said. “San Diego State will have to run the ball well to establish its passing game. They have a real good tight end. If they get him the ball a lot, they have a good chance to win.”

Meanwhile, SDSU coach Denny Stolz said he has yet to analyze how well his team matches up against Iowa.

“We haven’t even looked at Iowa on film,” Stolz said. “Don’t ask me about them. I already know those people. Quite frankly, Iowa is as good of a team as there is in the Big Ten when it is healthy. Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa . . . there isn’t any difference.”

Aztec Notes

Todd Santos was named SDSU’s most valuable player at the team awards banquet Monday night. Other awards went to Doug Aronson, outstanding offensive lineman; Levi Esene, outstanding defensive lineman; Esene, Aronson and Corey Gilmore, captains; Duane Pettitt, most improved; Monty Gilbreath, special teams; Brent Branco and John Moomaw, special teams; Mike Ariey, most inspirational; Richard Brown, coaches award; and Chris Kilby, president’s award. . . . Esene has been selected to play in the Hula Bowl, and Aronson has been selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game. Robert Awalt was earlier selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game. . . . The game ball from SDSU’s 10-3 win over BYU was auctioned for $2,500 at the awards banquet. A WAC championship football signed by Aztec seniors sold for $1,725. . . . Coach Denny Stolz on Saturday’s crowd of 45,062 for a game that was televised locally: “I didn’t realize San Diego people disliked those people (from BYU) so much. They disliked them so much that they came out and watched.” SDSU drew a total of 44,006 for its previous two home games. . . . Stolz said he plans to have a relaxed atmosphere when SDSU begins practicing at an undetermined date for the Holiday Bowl. “A bowl game is a reward for having a great season,” Stolz said. “We’re going to practice hard and laugh a little on the field. We’ll have fun and do what the bowl people want us to do. We’re going to tour San Diego, which is something I’d like to do.”