1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football
Big Ten champion
Rose Bowl, L 28–45 vs. UCLA
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 9
APNo. 10
Record10–2 (7–1 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBill Snyder (7th season)
Defensive coordinatorBill Brashier (7th season)
MVP
13 players[1]
Captains
  • Mike Haight
  • Ronnie Harmon
  • Chuck Long
  • Hap Peterson
  • Larry Station[2]
Home stadiumKinnick Stadium
1985 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 10 Iowa $7–1–010–2–0
No. 2 Michigan6–1–110–1–1
Illinois5–2–16–5–1
No. 14 Ohio State5–3–09–3–0
Michigan State5–3–07–5–0
Minnesota4–4–07–5–0
Purdue3–5–05–6–0
Wisconsin2–6–05–6–0
Indiana1–7–04–7–0
Northwestern1–7–03–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1985 Big Ten football season. In their seventh year under head coach Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes compiled a 10–2 record (7–1 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 304 to 184. They won the first seven games, including a 12–10 victory over No. 2 Michigan, and were ranked No. 1 in the AP poll until losing to No. 8 Ohio State. They finished the regular season as Big Ten champion, but lost to No. 13 UCLA in the 1986 Rose Bowl and were ranked No. 10 in the final AP poll and No. 9 in the final UPI poll.[3][4]

Quarterback Chuck Long won the Davey O'Brien Award, Maxwell Award, and Chicago Tribune Silver Football, and finished second to Bo Jackson in the Heisman Trophy voting. Long and linebacker Larry Station were consensus first-team All-Americans. Eight Hawkeyes, including Long, Station, and running back Ronnie Harmon received first-team honors on the 1985 All-Big Ten Conference football team.

The team played its home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Schedule

DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 14Drake*No. 5
W 58–066,135[5]
September 21Northern Illinois*No. 4
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
W 48–2066,014[6]
September 28at Iowa State*No. 3
ABCW 57–353,202[7]
October 5Michigan StatedaggerNo. 1
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
CBSW 35–3166,044[8]
October 12at WisconsinNo. 1
W 23–1379,023[9]
October 19No. 2 MichiganNo. 1
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
CBSW 12–1066,350[10]
October 26at NorthwesternNo. 1
W 49–1047,269[11]
November 2at No. 8 Ohio StateNo. 1
CBSL 13–2290,467[12]
November 9IllinoisNo. 6
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA
W 59–066,120[13]
November 16at PurdueNo. 5
CBSW 27–2457,762[14]
November 23MinnesotaNo. 3
  • Kinnick Stadium
  • Iowa City, IA (rivalry)
TBSW 31–966,020[15]
January 1vs. No. 13 UCLA*No. 4
NBCL 28–45103,292[16]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[17]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP4 (7)4 (5)5 (5)4 (5)3 (5)1 (35)1 (34)1 (27)1 (60)1 (58)6532 (3)3 (3)4 (2)10
Coaches8 (1)7431 (19)1 (16)1 (16)1 (42)1 (42)6543339

Game summaries

Drake

Drake at #5 Iowa
Team 1 234Total
Bulldogs 0 000 0
• No. 5 Hawkeyes 0 14377 58
  • Date: September 14
  • Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
  • Game start: 1:05 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 2:55
  • Game attendance: 66,135
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), Partly cloudy, Wind SW 10–12 miles per hour (16–19 km/h)
  • Referee: Jim Kemerling
      
Scoring summary
210:37IOWAClark 6-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 7–0
0:02IOWAHelverson 4-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 14–0
311:28IOWAR. Harmon 2-yard run (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 21–0
9:16IOWAR. Harmon 6-yard run (kick failed)Iowa 27–0
5:50IOWARob Houghtlin 46-yard field goalIowa 30–0
4:37IOWAK. Harmon 2-yard run (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 37–0
3:40IOWAHudson 10-yard run (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 44–0
1:50IOWAHelverson 31-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 51–0
48:41IOWABayless 1-yard run (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 58–0

[18]

DrakeIowa
First Downs925
Rushing yards–36167
Passing19–37–125–37–0
Passing yards184324
Total Offense148491
Fumbles Lost2–20–0
Punts-Average9–35.54–36.5
Penalties6–596–37
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DrakePassingEd Cheatham12–17, 121 yards, INT
RushingLawrence3 carries, 10 yards
ReceivingPeterson6 receptions, 85 yards
IowaPassingChuck Long21–31, 248 yards, 2 TD
RushingRonnie Harmon14 carries, 58 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingScott Helverson7 receptions, 88 yards, 2 TD

Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois at #4 Iowa
Team 1 234Total
Huskies 0 767 20
• Hawkeyes 14 101410 48
  • Date: September 21
  • Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
  • Game start: 1:05 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:00
  • Game attendance: 66,014
  • Game weather: ~65 °F (18 °C), Cloudy
  • Referee: Tom Quinn
       
Scoring summary
14:52IowaSmith 8-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 7–0
3:08IowaHappel 36-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 14–0
211:57IowaRob Houghtlin 50-yard field goalIowa 17–0
9:08IowaHappel 39-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 24–0
5:06NIUWooldridge 21-yard pass from Taylor (Forester kick)Iowa 24–7
36:31IowaEarly 15-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 31–7
5:32NIUTaylor 1-yard run (run failed)Iowa 31–13
3:32IowaHappel 12-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 38–13
411:43IOWARob Houghtlin 41-yard field goalIowa 41–13
5:46IowaMauro 16-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 48–13
1:34NIUGerin 22-yard pass from Genatempo (Forester kick)Iowa 48–20

Senior WR Bill Happel had a big day with 207 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. The yardage total marked the first time a Hawkeye had more than 200 yards receiving in a single game and stood as the school record for two years.

[19]

NIUIowa
First Downs825
Rushing yards16187
Passing5–14–220–32–3
Passing yards69347
Total Offense85534
Fumbles Lost4–33–3
Punts-Average10–43.83–48.0
Penalties2–107–55
Time of Possession30:3529:25
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IllinoisPassingMarshall Taylor3–9, 41 yards, TD, 2 INT
RushingAntonio Davis6 carries, 27 yards
ReceivingAndy Wooldridge2 receptions, 37 yards, TD
IowaPassingChuck Long18–28, 270 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT
RushingRonnie Harmon17 carries, 92 yards
ReceivingBill Happel9 receptions, 207 yards, 3 TD

at Iowa State

#3 Iowa at Iowa State
Team 1 234Total
• No. 3 Hawkeyes 7 34160 57
Cyclones 0 003 3
       
Scoring summary
14:11IowaFred Bush 4-yard run (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 7–0
214:05IowaRob Houghtlin 47-yard field goalIowa 10–0
8:55IowaR. Harmon 2-yard run (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 17–0
6:59IowaR. Harmon 23-yard run (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 24–0
2:48IowaRob Houghtlin 41-yard field goalIowa 27–0
1:47IowaMike Flagg 3-yard pass from Chuck Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 34–0
0:47IowaSmith 9-yard pass from Chuck Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 41–0
313:19IowaScott Helverson 46-yard pass from Chuck Long (kick failed)Iowa 47–0
9:37IowaRob Houghtlin 27-yard field goalIowa 50–0
2:33IowaScott Helverson 26-yard pass from Vlassic (Cook kick)Iowa 57–0
45:21ISUFrank 52-yard field goalIowa 57–3

The Hawkeyes earned the third of 15 consecutive wins over their in-state rivals. To date, this remains the largest margin of victory in the series. The convincing win vaulted Iowa to the #1 ranking in the country, a spot they would occupy for five consecutive weeks.

[20] [21]

IowaISU
First Downs2313
Rushing yards13873
Passing24–40–016–33–1
Passing yards357157
Total Offense495230
Fumbles Lost3–26–3
Punts-Average3–38.78–35.1
Penalties6–554–26
Time of Possession28:3331:27
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IowaPassingChuck Long19–32, 223 yards, 3 TD
RushingRonnie Harmon19 carries, 103 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingScott Helverson8 receptions, 154 yards, 2 TD
Iowa StatePassingAlex Espinoza16–33, 157 yards, INT
RushingMarques Rodgers12 carries, 55 yards
ReceivingDanny Gantt4 receptions, 43 yards

Michigan State

Michigan State at #1 Iowa
Team 1 234Total
Spartans 0 10147 31
• No. 1 Hawkeyes 7 6157 35
      
Scoring summary
110:23IowaRobert Smith 60-yard pass from Chuck Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 7–0
213:12IowaMike Flagg 17-yard pass from Chuck Long (kick failed)Iowa 13–0
11:34MSUChris Caudell 32-yard field goalIowa 13–3
9:15MSUAndre Rison 50-yard pass from Bobby McAllister (Caudell kick)Iowa 13–10
312:30MSULorenzo White 23-yard run (Caudell kick)MSU 17–13
7:01MSULorenzo White 1-yard run (Caudell kick)MSU 24–13
6:16IowaRobert Smith 4-yard pass from Chuck Long (Flagg pass from Long for two-point conversion)MSU 24–21
3:21IowaMike Flagg 12-yard pass from Chuck Long (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 28–24
44:06MSUCraig Johnson 25-yard run (Caudell kick)MSU 31–28
0:27IowaChuck Long 2-yard run (Houghtlin kick)Iowa 35–31

In their first game since ascending to the #1 ranking, the Hawkeyes survived a wild, back and forth thriller. The teams combined for well over 1,000 yards of total offense. Chuck Long (30–39, 380 yards, 4 TD) scored the winning touchdown on a 2-yard bootleg with 27 seconds remaining.

[22]

MSUIowa
First Downs2825
Rushing yards305108
Passing18–28–030–39–2
Passing yards275380
Total Offense580488
Fumbles Lost1–00–0
Punts-Average6–37.05–45.2
Penalties9–504–40
Time of Possession36:1523:45
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Michigan StatePassingBobby McAllister18–27, 275 yards, TD
RushingLorenzo White39 carries, 226 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingMark Ingram7 receptions, 148 yards
IowaPassingChuck Long30–39, 380 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
RushingRonnie Harmon20 carries, 84 yards
ReceivingScott Helverson9 receptions, 102 yards

at Wisconsin

#1 Iowa at Wisconsin
Team 1 234Total
• No. 1 Hawkeyes 3 7310 23
Badgers 0 0103 13
  • Date: October 12
  • Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Game start: 1:08 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 2:51
  • Game attendance: 79,023
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), Cloudy, Wind SSW 10–20 mph (16–32 km/h)
  • Referee: John Nealon
Scoring summary
13:55IOWARob Houghtlin 30-yard field goalIowa 3–0
211:42IOWABill Happel 8-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)Iowa 10–0
35:52WISJoe Armentrout 3-yard pass from Bud Keyes (Todd Gregoire kick)Iowa 10–7
33:53IOWARob Houghtlin 40-yard field goalIowa 13–7
30:07WISTodd Gregoire 27-yard field goalIowa 13–10
410:52IOWARonnie Harmon 12-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 20-10
46:01WISTodd Gregoire 24-yard field goalIowa 20–13
43:14IOWARob Houghtlin 35-yard field goalIowa 23–13

[23]

IowaWis
First Downs1517
Rushing yards174172
Passing18–30–113–31–3
Passing yards167134
Total Offense341306
Fumbles Lost2–20–0
Punts-Average5–43.48–36.8
Penalties7–495–35
Time of Possession26:5833:02
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IowaPassingChuck Long18–28, 167 yards, TD, INT
RushingRonnie Harmon20 carries, 175 yards, TD
ReceivingRonnie Harmon8 receptions, 62 yards
WisconsinPassingBud Keyes7–19, 88 yards, TD, 2 INT
RushingLarry Emery19 carries, 104 yards
ReceivingScott Sharron5 receptions, 47 yards

No. 2 Michigan

#2 Michigan at #1 Iowa
Team 1 234Total
No. 2 Wolverines 0 703 10
• No. 1 Hawkeyes 0 606 12
    
Scoring summary
29:05IOWARob Houghtlin 35-yard field goalIowa 3–0
6:06MICHWhite 6-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Mike Gillette kick)Mich 7–3
0:04IOWARob Houghtlin 27-yard field goalMich 7–6
414:20IOWARob Houghtlin 36-yard field goalIowa 9–7
10:55MICHMike Gillette 40-yard field goalMich 10–9
0:00IOWARob Houghtlin 29-yard field goalIowa 12–10

The #1 Hawkeyes dominated the game statistically — holding major advantages in total yards (422–182), offensive plays (84–41), and time of possession (38:05-21:55) — but could not find the end zone. Rob Houghtlin kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired to lift the top-ranked Hawkeyes to victory over the #2 Wolverines.[24]

[25] [26] [27] [28] [29]

MichIowa
First Downs926
Rushing yards127125
Passing8–13–026–39–1
Passing yards55297
Total Offense182422
Fumbles Lost0–01–0
Punts-Average6–39.83–31.7
Penalties4–353–26
Time of Possession21:5538:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MichiganPassingJim Harbaugh8–13, 55 yards, TD
RushingJamie Morris14 carries, 70 yards
ReceivingPaul Jokisch2 receptions, 23 yards
IowaPassingChuck Long26–39, 297 yards, INT
RushingRonnie Harmon32 carries, 120 yards
ReceivingBill Happel9 receptions, 107 yards

at Northwestern

#1 Iowa at Northwestern
Team 1 234Total
• No. 1 Hawkeyes 7 21714 49
Wildcats 0 307 10
  • Date: October 26
  • Location: Dyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois
  • Game start: 1:37 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 2:44
  • Game attendance: 47,276
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C), Sunny, Wind SW 14 mph (23 km/h)
Scoring summary
18:48IOWABill Happel 28-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 7–0
29:16NWJohn Duvic 21-yard field goalIOWA 7–3
27:14IOWARonnie Harmon 44-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 14–3
23:44IOWARobert Smith 89-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 21–3
22:37IOWABill Happel 35-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 28–3
311:22IOWABill Happel 25-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 35–3
414:52IOWACraig Clark 4-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 42–3
412:51IOWAKevin Harmon 2-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 49–3
42:02NWMarc Bumgarner 4-yard pass from Mike Greenfield (John Duvic kick)IOWA 49–10

On a windy day in Evanston, Chuck Long went 19-26 for 399 yards and a Big Ten record-tying 6 TDs. Bill Happel hauled in three touchdowns, finishing with 117 yards on 5 receptions.

[30] [31] [32]

IowaNW
First Downs2018
Rushing yards12446
Passing19–26–121–40–3
Passing yards399242
Total Offense523288
Fumbles Lost1–01–0
Punts-Average4–36.37–42.6
Penalties4–343–15
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IowaPassingChuck Long19–26, 399 yards, 6 TD, INT
RushingRonnie Harmon14 carries, 74 yards
ReceivingBill Happel5 receptions, 117 yards, 3 TD
NorthwesternPassingMike Greenfield21–40, 242 yards, TD, 3 INT
RushingMike Greenfield29 carries, 18 yards
ReceivingGeorge Jones4 receptions, 84 yards

at No. 8 Ohio State

#1 Iowa at #8 Ohio State
Team 1 234Total
No. 1 Hawkeyes 0 706 13
• No. 8 Buckeyes 5 1007 22
Scoring summary
111:03OSURich Spangler 28-yard field goalOSU 3–0
10:02OSUSafety, Sonny Gordan blocked punt out of end zoneOSU 5–0
29:06OSUJohn Woolridge 57-yard run (Spangler kick)OSU 12–0
25:00OSURich Spangler 26-yard field goalOSU 15–0
20:28IowaRonnie Harmon 3-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)OSU 15–7
411:39OSUVince Workman 4-yard run (Spangler kick)OSU 22–7
48:19IowaDavid Hudson 2-yard run (run failed)OSU 22–13

[33]

IowaOhio St
First Downs2116
Rushing yards186233
Passing17–34–410–17–2
Passing yards169151
Total Offense345370
Fumbles Lost2–11–0
Punts-Average4–32.54–45.3
Penalties3–167–57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IowaPassingChuck Long19–26, 169 yards, 4 INT
RushingRonnie Harmon26 carries, 120 yards, TD
ReceivingRonnie Harmon5 receptions, 19 yards
Ohio StatePassingJim Karsatos10–17, 151 yards, 2 INT
RushingGeorge Cooper17 carries, 104 yards
ReceivingCris Carter3 receptions, 65 yards

Illinois

Illinois at #6 Iowa
Team 1 234Total
Fighting Illini 0 000 0
• No. 6 Hawkeyes 35 14010 59
  • Date: November 9
  • Location:
    Kinnick Stadium,
    Iowa City, Iowa
  • Game start: 1:05 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:20
  • Game attendance: 66,120
  • Game weather: ~45 °F (7 °C), Cloudy, rain, Wind NE 10–15 mph (16–24 km/h)
  • Referee: Otho Kortz
Scoring summary
111:54IOWAR. Smith 49-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 7–0
110:16IOWAHudson 1-yard run (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 14–0
17:28IOWAR. Smith 43-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 21–0
14:36IOWAR. Harmon 46-yard run (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 28–0
10:59IOWAHudson 10-yard run (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 35–0
25:16IOWAFlagg 1-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 42–0
22:31IOWAHelverson 9-yard pass from Long (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 49–0
413:12IOWARob Houghtlin 37-yard field goalIOWA 52–0
48:21IOWAGoodman 16-yard run (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 59–0

[34] [35] [36] [37]

IllinoisIowa
First Downs1427
Rushing yards5232
Passing30–58–527–41–1
Passing yards227316
Total Offense232548
Fumbles Lost5–41–0
Punts-Average9–34.86–42.2
Penalties10–825–62
Time of Possession27:0932:51
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IllinoisPassingJack Trudeau26–47, 208 yards, 4 INT
RushingThomas Rooks7 carries, 26 yards
ReceivingDavid Williams10 receptions, 70 yards
IowaPassingChuck Long22–30, 289 yards, 4 TD, INT
RushingRonnie Harmon32 carries, 120 yards
ReceivingRobert Smith3 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD

at Purdue

#5 Iowa at Purdue
Team 1 234Total
• No. 5 Hawkeyes 7 1703 27
Boilermakers 7 1007 24
Scoring summary
19:21PurdueGriffin 49-yard pass from Jim Everett (Briggs kick)Purdue 7–0
10:08IowaRonnie Harmon 2-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)Tied 7–7
214:02IowaHudson 1-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 14–7
29:53PurdueMedlock 1-yard run (Briggs kick)Tied 14–14
25:55IowaHudson 1-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 21–14
21:30PurdueBriggs 37-yard field goalIOWA 21–17
20:02IowaRob Houghtlin 33-yard field goalIOWA 24–17
46:35PurdueMedlock 2-yard run (Briggs kick)Tied 24–24
41:08IowaRob Houghtlin 25-yard field goalIOWA 27–24

[38] [39] [40]

IowaPurdue
First Downs2816
Rushing yards20636
Passing20–33–123–32–1
Passing yards268315
Total Offense474351
Fumbles Lost1–02–1
Punts-Average5–31.84–29.8
Penalties4–192–10
Time of Possession34:3025:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IowaPassingChuck Long20–33, 268 yards, INT
RushingRonnie Harmon25 carries, 122 yards, TD
ReceivingRonnie Harmon9 receptions, 118 yards
PurduePassingJim Everett23–32, 315 yards, TD, INT
RushingRay Wallace10 carries, 21 yards
ReceivingSteve Griffin4 receptions, 110 yards, TD

Minnesota

Minnesota at #3 Iowa
Team 1 234Total
Golden Gophers 3 006 9
• No. 3 Hawkeyes 7 1077 31
Scoring summary
19:48IowaRonnie Harmon 5-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 7–0
11:54MinnChip Lohmiller 35-yard field goalIOWA 7–3
25:15IowaRob Houghtlin 26-yard field goalIOWA 10–3
21:40IowaMike Flagg 4-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 17–3
39:39IowaKevin Harmon 10-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 24–3
414:11IowaRick Bayless 5-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 31–3
42:01MinnGailord 16-yard pass from Holt (conversion failed)IOWA 31–9

In the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale, Iowa beat the Golden Gophers in Lou Holtz's last game as Minnesota's head coach. Chuck Long, in his final game at Kinnick Stadium, became the first player in Big Ten history to eclipse 10,000 career passing yards.

[41] [42]

MinnIowa
First Downs1824
Rushing yards154177
Passing9–18–021–31–1
Passing yards118268
Total Offense272445
Fumbles Lost4–22–1
Punts-Average6–32.82–39.5
Penalties1–56–30
Time of Possession30:1029:50
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MinnesotaPassingRickey Foggie6–13, 69 yards
RushingDavid Puk13 carries, 61 yards
ReceivingEugene Gailord3 receptions, 57 yards, TD
IowaPassingChuck Long21–31, 268 yards, TD, INT
RushingRonnie Harmon13 carries, 75 yards, TD
ReceivingScott Helverson7 receptions, 86 yards

vs. No. 13 UCLA (Rose Bowl)

#13 UCLA vs. #4 Iowa
Team 1 234Total
• No. 13 Bruins 10 14714 45
No. 4 Hawkeyes 7 3711 28
Scoring summary
17:02IOWADavid Hudson 1-yard run (Houghtlin kick)IOWA 7–0
13:23UCLAEric Ball 30-yard run (Lee kick)Tied 7–7
11:11UCLAJohn Lee 42-yard field goalUCLA 10–7
27:43IOWARob Houghtlin 24-yard field goalTied 10–10
26:19UCLAEric Ball 40-yard run (Lee kick)UCLA 17–10
21:36UCLAEric Ball 6-yard run (Lee kick)UCLA 24–10
312:19IOWAChuck Long 4-yard run (Houghtlin kick)UCLA 24–17
36:25UCLAMike Sherrard 6-yard pass from Matt Stevens (J. Lee kick)UCLA 31–17
413:25UCLAEric Ball 32-yard run (Lee kick)UCLA 38–17
410:51IOWARob Houghtlin 52-yard field goalUCLA 38–20
46:38UCLAMatt Stevens 1-yard run (Lee kick)UCLA 45–20
43:11IOWABill Happel 11-yard pass from Chuck Long (Harmon run)UCLA 45–28

[43]

UCLAIowa
First Downs2925
Rushing yards55–29934–82
Passing16–26–129–38–1
Passing yards189319
Total Offense488401
Fumbles Lost3–24–4
Punts-Average2–38.52–32.5
Penalties6–365–40
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCLAPassingMatt Stevens16–26, 189 yards, TD, INT
RushingEric Ball12 carries, 67 yards
ReceivingMike Sherrard4 receptions, 48 yards
IowaPassingChuck Long29–37, 319 yards, TD, INT
RushingRonnie Harmon14 carries, 55 yards
ReceivingRonnie Harmon11 receptions, 102 yards

Roster

1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
OL 55 Dave Alexander Jr
OL 75 Kevin Angel Sr
FB 23 Richard Bass Fr
RB 13 Rick Bayless So
OL 69 Mike Bennett Sr
FB 35 Fred Bush Sr
OL 78 Malcolm Christie So
TE 49 Craig Clark So
TE 84 Marv Cook Fr
WR 82 Pat Coppinger Jr
FB 25 Marshall Cotton So
OT 61 Dave Croston Jr
OL 63 Jeff Croston Fr
OL 58 Greg Divis So
WR 1 Quinn Early So
TE 86 Mike Flagg So
OL 74 Chris Gambol Jr
RB 22 Grant Goodman Fr
WR 80 Steve Green So
OT 79 Mike Haight (C) Sr
WR 40 Bill Happel Sr
RB 28 Kevin Harmon So
RB 31 Ronnie Harmon (C) Sr
QB 8 Chuck Hartlieb  Fr
WR 87 Scott Helverson Sr
QB 15 Jay Hess Jr
FB 20 David Hudson Fr
G 65 Tom Humphrey Sr
G 70 Bob Kratch Fr
QB 16 Chuck Long (C) Sr
WR 81 Derrius Loveless So
RB John Marchese Sr
WR 26 Peter Marciano Fr
WR 47 Jim Mauro So
TE 89 Dave Murphy Jr
OL 66 Kelly O'Brien Sr
TE 85 John Palmer Fr
QB 14 Tom Poholsky Fr
OL 67 Jim Poynton Fr
RB 33 Kevin Ringer Fr
FB 30 John Rudolph Jr
OL 60 Bob Schmitt So
FB 17 Tim Sennott Sr
C 56 Mark Sindlinger Jr
WR 2 Robert Smith Jr
OL 53 Mark Spranger Jr
QB 12 Mark Vlasic Jr
OL 71 Chuck Waggoner Fr
TE 88 Tom Ward So
OL 73 Herb Wester So
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DL 68 Tim Anderson So
LB 93 Tim Batterson So
DE 92 Jeff Beard So
DE 48 Tyrone Berrie Fr
LB 43 Jeff Blake So
DB 19 Mike Bolan Jr
DE 5 Mike Burke So
DE 90 Doug Burrell Sr
DB 3 Kerry Burt So
CB 29 Nate Creer Sr
DB 18 Kyle Crowe Sr
LB 37 George Davis Jr
DL 76 Jeff Drost Jr
DE 83 Mike Ertz Fr
DE 94 Bruce Gear Jr
DE 96 Robert Grafton Jr
DL 64 Dave Haight Fr
DL 54 Eric Higgins Fr
DB 42 Tork Hook Fr
DB 19 Carl Jackson So
DL 77 Myron Keppy Jr
DB 4 Lloyd Kimber Jr
LB 34 Vernon Little Fr
DE 98 George Millett Sr
DB 21 Devon Mitchell Sr
DE 97 Joe Mott Fr
DB 45 Jay Norvell Sr
DL 50 Hap Peterson (C) Sr
DE 71 Chris Pigott Fr
DE 99 Richard Pryor Jr
LB 32 J.J. Puk Jr
LB 95 Jim Reilly Fr
LB 38 Shawon Respress Fr
DE 91 Sean Ridley Fr
DB 11 Rick Schmidt Jr
DL 72 Joe Schuster  Jr
DB 44 Keaton Smiley So
DB 9 Ken Sims Jr
LB 36 Larry Station (C) Sr
DB 41 Mark Stoops Fr
LB 39 Tyrone Taylor So
DL 95 Eric Underberg Jr
DL 57 Jon Vrieze Jr
DL 51 Bill Weires Sr
LB 46 Dan Wirth So
DB 10 Anthony Wright Fr
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 84 Marv Cook Fr
K 6 George Murphy Fr
K 7 Rob Houghtlin So
P 27 Gary Kostrubala Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Bill Snyder – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • Bill Brashier – Defensive coordinator
  • Kirk Ferentz – Offensive line
  • Carl Jackson – Running backs
  • Del Miller – Offensive assistant
  • Dan McCarney – Defensive line
  • Barry Alvarez – Linebackers
  • Don Patterson – Defensive backs
  • Bernie Wyatt – Defensive ends/recruiting coordinator
  • Bill Dervich – Strength and conditioning
  • Bob Stoops – Volunteer assistant
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt


Statistics

Team statistics. On offense, the Hawkeyes gained an average of 299.3 passing yards and 164.9 rushing yards per games.[44] They led the Big Ten with an average of 36.7 points per game.[45] On defense, they gave up 175.2 passing yards and 101.5 rushing yards per game.[44] They ranked second in the conference in scoring defense, giving up 15.6 points per game.[45]

Passing. Quarterback Chuck Long set Iowa single-season records with 351 pass attempts, 231 pass completions, and 2,978 passing yards.[46] He had a 65.8% completion rate, 26 passing touchdowns,and a 153.0 passer rating.[44] Long also became the first Big Ten player to tally over 10,000 passing yards in his career.[47]

Rushing. Running back Ronnie Harmon led the team with 1,111 rushing yards on 209 carries for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. Harmon also tallied 49 receptions for 597 yards. He also led the team with 10 touchdowns (nine rushing and one receiving)[44]

Receiving. Wide receiver Bill Happel led the team with 812 receiving yards on 50 receptions with seven receiving touchdowns. Happel also returned 19 punts for 925 yards, an average of 5.9 yards per return. Scott Helverson led with 53 receptions, good for 686 receiving yards and five touchdowns.[44]

Scoring. Kicker Rob Houghtlin set a new Iowa scoring record with 97 points,[46] converting 46 of 49 extra points and 17 of 25 field goal attempts.[44]

Awards and honors

Senior quarterback Chuck Long won the Maxwell Award (best player in college football) by a two-to-one margin over runner-up Bo Jackson,[48] Davey O'Brien Award (best quarterback),[49] and Chicago Tribune Silver Football (Big Ten most valuable player). He also finished second in close voting behind Jackson in the 1985 Heisman Trophy voting.[50] Long also received first-team honors from, among others, the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) on the 1985 All-America college football team.[51]

Linebacker Larry Station was a consensus first-team All-American, receiving first-team honors from the AFCA, AP, FWAA, UPI, and NEA.[51]

Both Long and Station were later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Eight Hawkeyes received first-team honors on the 1985 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Long at quarterback (AP-1, UPI-1); Station at linebacker (AP-1, UPI-1); Ronnie Harmon at running back (AP-1, UPI-1); offensive tackle Mike Haight (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive linemen Jeff Drost (AP-1, UPI-1) and Hap Peterson (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive back Jay Norvell (AP-1); and kicker Rob Houghtlin (AP-1).[52][53]

1986 NFL draft

Player Position Round Pick NFL club
Chuck LongQuarterback112Detroit Lions
Ronnie HarmonRunning back116Buffalo Bills
Mike HaightTackle122New York Jets
Devon MitchellDefensive back492Detroit Lions
Larry StationLinebacker11287Pittsburgh Steelers

[54]

Future head coaches

Name 1985 Position School Tenure
Bill SnyderOffensive coordinator/QB CoachKansas State1989–2005, 2009–2018
Barry AlvarezLinebackers CoachWisconsin1990–2005
Dan McCarneyDefensive line coachIowa State
North Texas		1995–2006
2011–2015
Bob StoopsVolunteer CoachOklahoma1999–2016
Kirk FerentzOffensive line coachIowa1999–present
Don PattersonTight ends coachWestern Illinois1999–2009
Chuck LongQuarterbackSan Diego State2006–2008
Mark StoopsDefensive backKentucky2013–present
Jay NorvellDefensive backsNevada
Colorado State		2017–2021
2022–present

References

  1. ↑ The University of Iowa Athletic Communications. "University of Iowa Football 2011 Media Fact Book: IOWA MVPs" (PDF). The University of Iowa Athletic Communications. p. 145. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 30, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  2. ↑ The University of Iowa Athletic Communications. "University of Iowa Football 2011 Media Fact Book: IOWA Captains" (PDF). The University of Iowa Athletic Communications. p. 146. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 30, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  3. ↑ "1985 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  4. ↑ "2022 Iowa Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Iowa. pp. 196, 242. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Iowa bites 'Dogs, 58–0: 37-point quarter ruins Drake effort". Cedar Rapids Gazette. September 15, 1985. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Hawks limit foe to 85 net yards". The Sioux City Journal. September 22, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Hawks humiliate ISU". The Gazette. September 29, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Spartans scare Hawkeyes". The Ann Arbor News. October 6, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Hawks survive late Badger bid". The Dispatch. October 13, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Houghtlin's dramatic boot lifts Hawkeyes, 12–10". The Indianapolis Star. October 20, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Long rips Wildcat defense". Quad-City Times. October 27, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "No. 1 Hawkeyes stunned by inspired OSU, 22–13". The Daily Nonpareil. November 3, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Long, Hawkeyes make short work of Illini 59–0". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 10, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Buckeyes' loss puts Iowa in driver's seat". Omaha World-Herald. November 17, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Gophers can't spoil Iowa's day". Minneapolis Star & Tribune. November 24, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "UCLA has too much for Iowa". Spokane Chronicle. January 2, 1986. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "1985 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results". sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Iowa bites 'Dogs, 58-0: 37-point quarter ruins Drake effort". Cedar Rapids Gazette. September 15, 1985. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Iowa rain falls only on NIU". Chicago Tribune. September 22, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Big Ten Roundup : Iowa Routs Iowa State, 57-3, to Stay Unbeaten". Los Angeles Times. September 29, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Third-ranked Iowa crushes Iowa State". The Salina Journal. September 29, 1985. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Last-Minute Score Gives Iowa Victory". New York Times. October 5, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Top-ranked Iowa eases past Wisconsin". Gainesville Sun. October 13, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  24. ↑ Big Ten Elite, Season 2, Episode 3
  25. ↑ "Iowa Saves Biggest Noise For Finish". Chicago Tribune. October 20, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Iowa Beats Michigan On Last Play, 12-10". Washington Post. October 20, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Iowa's Last-second Kick Defeats Michigan, 12-10". Orlando Sentinel. October 20, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Hawkeyes win No. 1 thriller, 12-10". Des Moines Register. October 20, 1985. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Kick by Iowa Stops Michigan". The New York Times. October 20, 1985. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Iowa Rolls, 49-10; Long Ties Record". New York Times. October 27, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Iowa's Long Ball Rips NU". Chicago Tribune. October 27, 1985. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Long Throws for Six Scores as Iowa Routs Northwestern, 49-10". Los Angeles Times. October 27, 1985. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Ohio State Upsets Top-Ranked Iowa". New York Times. November 3, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Like Father, Like Son? Iowa End Hopes So". Chicago Tribune. November 9, 1985. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Iowa Hits Illini Early, Often". Chicago Tribune. November 10, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  36. ↑ "A Long Day For Illinois, 59-0 : Quarterback Throws 4 Touchdown Passes in Iowa Rout". Los Angeles Times. November 10, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  37. ↑ "1985: The Unexpected blowout". University of Iowa Athletic Department. September 3, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Hawkeyes survive Purdue scare, 27-24". Des Moines Register via newspapers.com. November 17, 1985. p. 28. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  39. ↑ "Iowa Wins, 27-24 on Late Field Goal". New York Times. November 17, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Purdue Is Beaten By Iowa And Clock". Chicago Tribune. November 17, 1985. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  41. ↑ "Believe It--Iowa Rules Big 10". Chicago Tribune. November 24, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Long Achieves Dream of Leading Hawkeyes Back to the Rose Bowl". Los Angeles Times. November 24, 1985. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  43. ↑ "ROSE BOWL; U.C.L.A. WALLOPS IOWA". New York Times. January 2, 1986. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  44. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "1985 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  45. 1 2 "1985 Big Ten Conference Year Summary". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  46. 1 2 "Hawks clinch spot in Rose Bowl". The Nonpareil. November 24, 1985. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ↑ "Long not set on being top QB pick". The Nonpareil. December 21, 1985. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ↑ "Long wins Maxwell". Springfield News-Sun. December 20, 1985. p. 13.
  49. ↑ ""College Football Awards - 1985"". espn.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  50. ↑ Mark Dukes (December 8, 1985). "Jackson edges Long: Iowa QB 2nd in closest vote". The Gazette. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  51. 1 2 "Consensus All-America Teams (1980-1989); 1985". sports-reference.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  52. ↑ "Soph White, Station, Unanimous Choices". Toledo Blade (AP story). December 3, 1985. p. 33.
  53. ↑ "Long nips Everett for UPI first team". The Indianapolis Star. November 26, 1985. p. 22.
  54. ↑ "1986 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
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