Aztecs Upended by a Field Goal as Time Expires

Rob Houghtlin kicked a 41-yard field goal on the last play of the game Tuesday night to give Iowa a 39-38 victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in the ninth annual Holiday Bowl before 59,473 fans at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

The Aztecs, appearing in a college bowl game for the first time since 1969, had taken a 38-36 lead with 47 seconds remaining on Kevin Rahill’s 21-yard field goal.

But Kevin Harmon ran the ensuing kickoff back 48 yards to the Aztecs’ 37 yard line. Four plays later, Houghtlin made his winning field goal.

San Diego State, which led 21-13 at the half and 28-21 after three quarters, took a 35-21 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter when Chris Hardy ran six yards for a touchdown.

But quarterback Mark Vlasic rallied the Hawkeyes, connecting with Marv Cook on a 29-yard scoring pass on a fourth-and-4 play with 8:39 left. The Hawkeyes then faked a kick on the extra-point attempt, and holder Chuck Hartlieb hit Mike Flagg for a two-point conversion to make it 35-29.

Vlasic then hit Flagg with a three-yard touchdown toss with 4:26 to play, and Houghtlin’s conversion put Iowa ahead 36-35.

But San Diego State rallied as quarterback Todd Santos connected with split end Alfred Jackson for a 45-yard gain to the Iowa 9. Three running plays moved the ball to the four-yard line before Rahill kicked what looked like the game-winner.

Iowa, with a 9-3 record, was making its sixth straight bowl appearance. The Aztecs, who finished 8-4, earned an appearance in the Holiday Bowl by winning their first Western Athletic Conference title since joining the WAC in 1976.

For details, see Sports and Part II, Page 1.