1986 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1986 Iowa Hawkeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 15 16 9–3 5–3 Hayden Fry 8th Bill Snyder 8th Bill Brashier 8th Rick Bayless Dave Croston George Davis Jeff Drost Ken Sims Mark Vlasic Kinnick Stadium Holiday Bowl champion Holiday Bowl W 39–38 vs. San Diego State The 1986 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 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their eighth year under head coach Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes compiled a 9–3 record (5–3 in conference games), tied for third place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 352 to 176. The Hawekeys defeated No. 17 Michigan State, but lost to No. 4 Michigan and No. 17 Ohio State. They concluded the season with a victory over San Diego State in the 1986 Holiday Bowl. They were ranked No. 15 in the final UPI poll and No. 16 in the final AP poll.1986 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 27, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1986-schedule.html2022 Iowa Football Media Guide 196, 243 University of Iowa https://storage.googleapis.com/hawkeyesports-prod/2022/07/b99ff33b-2022_ia_fb_media-guide-online-version.pdf May 27, 2025 The team's statistical leaders were quarterback Mark Vlasic with 1,234 passing yards, running back Rick Bayless with 1,040 rushing yards, and wide receiver Jim Mauro with 28 receptions for 581 yards.1986 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 30, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1986.html Offensive tackle Dave Croston received first-team honors on the 1986 All-America college football team. Five Iowa players received first-team honors on the 1986 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Croston (AP-1, UPI-1); running back Rick Bayless (AP-1); guard Bob Kratch (UPI-1); and linebackers Jeff Drost (AP-1, UPI-1) and Dave Haight (AP-1).Harbaugh heads All-Big Ten team The Michigan Daily November 26, 1986 8 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2706&dat=19861126&id=1A5KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vx4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1069,3998533Woodson, Waiters Both All-Big Ten Logansport Pharos-Tribune November 25, 1986 10 https://www.newspapers.com/image/16937786/?terms=UPI%2B%22all-big%2Bten%22 The team played its home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Schedule 1986 AP Central September 13 11:30 a.m. w y Iowa State Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry TBS 43–7 67,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-old-familiar-st/170800651/ The Des Moines Register Old, familiar story: Iowa 43, ISU 7 September 14, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com September 20 1:00 p.m. w y Northern Illinois Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 57–3 66,930 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-iowas-bayless-sp/170671841/ The Sioux City Journal Iowa's Bayless sparkles September 21, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com September 27 1:00 p.m. w y 15 UTEP Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 69–7 67,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-iowa-rolls-to-win-ov/170732873/ The Daily Nonpareil Iowa rolls to win over UTEP September 28, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com October 4 2:30 p.m. w y 11 Michigan State 17 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI CBS 24–21 75,102 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-spartan-rally-picked-o/170897352/ The Flint Journal Spartan rally picked off by Iowa October 5, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com October 11 1:00 p.m. w 10 Wisconsin Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry 17–6 67,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-two-bayless-touc/170890840/ Green Bay Press-Gazette Two Bayless touchdowns boost Iowa over Badgers October 12, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com October 18 2:30 p.m. l y 8 Michigan 4 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI CBS 17–20 105,879 Sweet revenge for U-M! Gillette's FG at :00 hands Iowa 20–17 loss Detroit Free Press Tommy George October 19, 1986 1D, 12D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43527448/sweet_revenge_for_um_gillettes_fg_at/ Newspapers.com October 25 1:00 p.m. w 11 Northwestern Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 27–20 67,250 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-hawkeyes-hold-on/170893396/ The Sioux City Journal Hawkeyes hold on to top Northwestern October 26, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 1 11:30 a.m. l 11 Ohio State 17 Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA TBS 10–31 67,640 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-buckeyes-take-iowa-out-of-ro/170898677/ The Courier Buckeyes take Iowa out of Rose Bowl November 2, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 8 1:00 p.m. l y 16 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 16–20 75,190 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-hayden-frys-worry-is/170896305/ Omaha World-Herald Hayden Fry's worry is justified after Iowa upset by Illinois 20–16 November 9, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 15 1:00 p.m. w Purdue Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 42–14 67,321 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pharos-tribune-iowa-hammers-boilerma/170892670/ The Pharos-Tribune Iowa hammers Boilermakers November 16, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 22 6:00 p.m. w y Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN rivalry TBS 30–27 65,018 https://www.newspapers.com/article/post-bulletin-gophers-exchange-tie-give/170898276/ Post-Bulletin Gophers exchange tie, give Iowa win gift November 24, 1986 April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com December 30 8:00 p.m. w y y 19 San Diego State Jack Murphy Stadium San Diego, CA Holiday Bowl ESPN 39–38 59,473 The Los Angeles Times Aztecs upended by a field goal as time expires San Diego County December 31, 1986 I-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8435430/aztecs_upended_by_a_field_goal_as_time/ April 22, 2025 Newspapers.com November 9, 2015 sports-reference.com 1986 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1986-schedule.html Rankings November 2025 1986 NCAA Division I-A football rankings 14 14 AP NR NR NR 15 11 10 8 11 11 16 NR NR 20 19 16 Coaches 18 20 14 13 11 11 8 12 12 16 RV RV RV RV 15 Game summaries Iowa State Iowa State at Iowa Cyclones 0 0 0 7 Hawkeyes 13 13 10 7 September 13 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 11:40 a.m. CDT 3:30 67,700 Sam Maphis TBS Source: Box Score and Game Story yes 1 3 11:23 Iowa Houghtlin 32-yard field goal Iowa 3–0 6:39 Iowa Houghtlin 46-yard field goal Iowa 6–0 0:34 Iowa Mauro 43-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 13–0 2 2 11:30 Iowa Hudson 1-yard run (pass failed) Iowa 19–0 1:40 Iowa Mauro 17-yard pass from Smith (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 26–0 3 2 10:38 Iowa Houghtlin 37-yard field goal Iowa 29–0 3:24 Iowa Mauro 47-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 36–0 4 2 11:29 Iowa Bayless 32-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 43–0 1:09 ISU Brown 21-yard pass from Sadek (Frank kick) Iowa 43–7 yes 1986 Iowa State Cyclones football team Iowa–Iowa State football rivalry IOWA: Hudson 20 Rush, 120 Yds IOWA: Mauro 5 Rec, 149 Yds The victory over Iowa State was Hayden Fry's 53rd at Iowa, making him the winningest coach in Iowa history.September 14, 1986 Big Ten Roundup : Iowa's Vlasic Picks Up Where Long Left Off https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-09-14-sp-12587-story.html Los Angeles Times November 8, 2015 Jim Mauro had three receiving touchdowns and Rob Houghtlin kicked three field goals to lead the Hawks. The Hawkeye defense limited Iowa State to 125 yards of total offense. Northern Illinois Northern Illinois at Iowa Huskies 0 0 0 3 Hawkeyes 15 21 14 7 September 20 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 1:05 p.m. CDT 2:45 66,930 Jerry Hendrickson Source: Box Score yes 1 2 14:33 Iowa Hudson 42-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 7–0 5:27 Iowa Bayless 5-yard run (Flagg pass from Poholsky) Iowa 15–0 2 3 13:46 Iowa Bayless 87-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 22–0 13:08 Iowa Mauro 39-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 29–0 4:49 Iowa Flagg 20-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 36–0 3 2 11:36 Iowa Hudson 2-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 43–0 1:13 Iowa Bass 1-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 50–0 4 2 9:27 Iowa Bass 2-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 57–0 1:18 NIU Nelson 31-yard field goal Iowa 57–3 yes 1986 Northern Illinois Huskies football team Three Iowa running backs scored two touchdowns each as the Hawkeyes dominated the Huskies in this quick-moving game. For the second straight week, Iowa's opponent scored with just over a minute remaining in the game to avoid a shutout. Iowa held Northern Illinois to 159 yards of total offense.September 21, 1986 Fumble Recoveries Fuel Iowa In Pasting Of Niu https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/09/21/fumble-recoveries-fuel-iowa-in-pasting-of-niu/ Chicago Tribune November 9, 2015 UTEP UTEP at #15 Iowa Miners 7 0 0 0 No. 15 Hawkeyes 21 20 14 14 September 27 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 1:05 p.m. CDT 2:50 67,500 Gil Marchman Source: Box Score yes 1 4 10:09 Iowa Hudson 1-yard run (kick failed) Iowa 6–0 6:46 Iowa Bayless 1-yard run (Hudson pass from Poholsky) Iowa 14–0 5:26 Iowa Smith 34-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 21–0 1:54 UTEP Adkison 9-yard pass from Garza (Jacke kick) Iowa 21–7 2 3 13:53 Iowa Smith 25-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 28–7 10:09 Iowa Harmon 1-yard run (kick failed) Iowa 34–7 0:34 Iowa Bayless 4-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 41–7 3 2 8:24 Iowa Harberts 59-yard pass from McGwire (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 48–7 5:42 Iowa Harberts 54-yard pass from McGwire (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 55–7 4 2 3:08 Iowa Goodman 1-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 62–7 0:28 Iowa Ringer 33-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 69–7 yes 1986 UTEP Miners football team Three Hawkeyes scored two touchdowns each and the Iowa defense gave up just 150 yards in this route of UTEP.September 28, 1986 Hawkeyes unload on Miners, Cornhuskers crush the Ducks https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16614990/ Galveston Daily News November 18, 2015 Michigan State #11 Iowa at #17 Michigan State Hawkeyes 14 0 7 3 Spartans 7 7 0 7 October 4 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan 75,102 John Neamon Brent Musburger and Ara Parseghian CBS Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 MSU Ingram 27-yard pass from Yarema (Caudell kick) MSU 7–0 Q1 IOWA Bass 12-yard run (Houghtlin kick) Tied 7–7 Q1 IOWA Flagg 6-yard pass from Poholsky (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 14–7 Q2 MSU Ingram 22-yard pass from Yarema (Caudell kick) Tied 14–14 Q3 IOWA Mauro 50-yard pass from Poholsky (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 21–14 Q4 IOWA Houghtlin 42-yard field goal IOWA 24–14 Q4 4:15 MSU Ingram 8-yard pass from Yarema (Caudell kick) IOWA 24–21 yes 1986 Michigan State Spartans football team October 5, 1986 MIDWEST; IOWA HOLDS OFF MICHIGAN STATE, 24-21 https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/05/sports/midwest-iowa-holds-off-michigan-state-24-21.html The New York Times November 9, 2015 Wisconsin Wisconsin at #10 Iowa Badgers 3 0 3 0 Hawkeyes 7 0 3 7 October 11 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 67,700 Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 IOWA Bayless 4 yard run (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 7–0 Q1 WIS Gregoire 27 yard field goal IOWA 7–3 Q3 WIS Gregoire 34 yard field goal IOWA 7–6 Q3 IOWA Houghtlin 39 yard field goal IOWA 10–6 Q4 IOWA Bayless 2 yard run (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 17–6 yes 1986 Wisconsin Badgers football team IOWA: Bass 22 Rush, 107 Yds October 12, 1986 November 18, 2015 Iowa beats back upstart Badgers The Cincinnati Enquirer http://cincinnati.newspapers.com/newspage/101848893/ Michigan #8 Iowa at #4 Michigan Hawkeyes 7 3 0 7 Wolverines 3 0 14 3 October 18 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan 105,879 Tom Quinn Brent Musburger, Ara Parseghian, and Pat O'Brien CBS Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 IOWA Bass 1-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick) IOWA 7–0 Q1 Mich Gillette 53-yard field goal IOWA 7–3 Q2 IOWA Rob Houghtlin 29-yard field goal IOWA 10–3 Q3 Mich G. White 25-yard pass from J. Harbaugh (Moons kick) Tied 10–10 Q3 Mich G. White 10-yard run (Moons kick) Mich 17–10 Q4 IOWA R. Smith 15-yard pass from Vlasic Tied 17–17 Q4 0:00 Mich Gillette 34-yard field goal Mich 20–17 yes 1986 Michigan Wolverines football team October 19, 1986 Michigan Beats Iowa Like Iowa Beat Michigan, 20-17 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-10-19-sp-6053-story.html Los Angeles Times November 8, 2015 Northwestern Northwestern at #11 Iowa Wildcats 0 10 7 3 Hawkeyes 10 7 10 0 October 25 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 67,250 Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 IOWA Houghtlin 44-yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q1 IOWA Hudson 50-yard run (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 10–0 Q2 IOWA Early 93-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 17–0 Q2 NW Duvic 32-yard field goal IOWA 17–3 Q2 NW Davenport 89-yard run (Duvic kick) IOWA 17–10 Q3 NW Robertson 34-yard pass from Greenfield (Duvic kick) Tied 17–17 Q3 IOWA Burke fumble recovery in end zone (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 24–17 Q3 IOWA Houghtlin 46-yard field goal IOWA 27–17 Q4 NW Duvic 27-yard field goal IOWA 27–20 yes 1986 Northwestern Wildcats football team October 26, 1986 November 18, 2015 NU Loses To Iowa But Wins Its Respect Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/10/26/nu-loses-to-iowa-but-wins-its-respect/ Ohio State #17 Ohio State at #11 Iowa No. 17 Buckeyes 0 21 7 3 No. 11 Hawkeyes 7 0 3 0 November 1 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 11:40 a.m. CST 3:10 67,640 Jim Kemerling Pete van Wieren and Ron Kramer TBS Source: Box Score yes 1 12:19 Iowa Kerry Burt 17-yard interception return (Houghtlin kick) Iowa 7–0 2 3 12:14 OSU Cris Carter 72-yard pass from Jim Karsatos (Frantz kick) Tied 7–7 9:50 OSU George Cooper 9-yard run (Frantz kick) OSU 14–7 5:58 OSU Greg Rogan 31-yard fumble return (Frantz kick) OSU 21–7 3 2 12:23 Iowa Rob Houghtlin 20-yard field goal OSU 21–10 6:20 OSU Everett Ross 38-yard pass from Jim Karsatos (Frantz kick) OSU 28–10 4 7:10 OSU Matt Frantz 37-yard field goal OSU 31–10 yes 1986 Ohio State Buckeyes football team November 2, 1986 November 9, 2015 Ohio St. Thunders By Iowa Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/11/02/ohio-st-thunders-by-iowa/ Illinois #16 Iowa at Illinois Hawkeyes 3 7 0 6 Fighting Illini 0 0 7 13 November 8 Memorial Stadium (University of Illinois), Champaign, Illinois 75,190 Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 IOWA Houghtlin 36-yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q2 IOWA Hudson 2-yard run (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 10–0 Q3 Illinois Pierce 54-yard pass from Menkhausen (Siambekos kick) IOWA 10–7 Q4 Illinois Menkhausen 1-yard run (Siambekos kick) Illinois 14–10 Q4 Illinois Siambekos 29-yard field goal Illinois 17–10 Q4 Illinois Siambekos 42-yard field goal Illinois 20–10 Q4 IOWA Harmon 3-yard run (pass failed) Illinois 20–16 yes 1986 Illinois Fighting Illini football team November 10, 1986 Illinois Remembers To Pay Back Iowa https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/11/10/illinois-remembers-to-pay-back-iowa/ Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 Purdue Purdue at Iowa Boilermakers 7 0 0 7 Hawkeyes 14 7 14 7 November 15 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 67,321 Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 Purdue Rod Woodson 100-yard interception return (Briggs kick) Purdue 7–0 Q1 IOWA Early 64-yard pass from Poholsky (Houghtlin kick) Tied 7–7 Q1 IOWA Bayless 31-yard pass from Poholsky (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 14–7 Q2 IOWA Harmon 4-yard run (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 21–7 Q3 IOWA Flagg 15-yard pass from Poholsky (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 28–7 Q3 IOWA Bayless run (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 42–7 Q4 IOWA Watkins 42-yard pass from Hartlieb (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 42–7 Q4 Purdue Schieb 18-yard pass from Downing (Briggs kick) IOWA 42–14 yes 1986 Purdue Boilermakers football team November 16, 1986 November 18, 2015 Hawkeyes pummel Purdue Indianapolis Star http://indystar.newspapers.com/newspage/105896501/ Minnesota Iowa at Minnesota Hawkeyes 0 0 13 17 Golden Gophers 7 10 7 3 November 22 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis 65,018 TBS Source: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 MINN Goetz 6-yard run (Lohmiller kick) MINN 7–0 Q2 MINN D. Thompson 8-yard run (Lohmiller kick) MINN 14–0 Q2 MINN Lohmiller 62-yard field goal MINN 17–0 Q3 IOWA Houghtlin 49-yard field goal MINN 17–3 Q3 IOWA Marciano 89-yard punt return (Houghtlin kick) MINN 17–10 Q3 MINN Foggie 23-yard run (Lohmiller kick) MINN 24–10 Q3 IOWA Houghtlin 38-yard field goal MINN 24–13 Q4 IOWA Flagg 1-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) MINN 24–20 Q4 IOWA Bayless 1-yard run (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 27–24 Q4 MINN Lohmiller 49-yard field goal Tie 27–27 Q4 0:01 IOWA Houghtlin 37-yard field goal IOWA 30–27 yes 1986 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team IOWA: Mauro 6 Rec, 100 Yds November 16, 1986 Darndest Things Hog The Spotlight In Archrival Trophy Games Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/11/16/darndest-things-hog-the-spotlight-in-archrival-trophy-games/ November 18, 2015 November 23, 1986 Big Ten Roundup : Given a Second Chance, Iowa Beats Minnesota Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-11-23-sp-12417-story.html November 9, 2015 Holiday Bowl #19 Iowa vs. San Diego State1986 SeaWorld Holiday Bowl Hawkeyes 7 6 8 18 Aztecs 6 15 7 10 December 30 Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego 59,473 Gordon Riese Jay Randolph and Dave Logan ESPN yes Q1 IOWA Bayless 5-yard run (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 7–0 Q1 SDSU Hardy 6-yard pass from Santos (kick failed) IOWA 7–6 Q2 SDSU Jackson 44-yard pass from Santos (Hardy run) SDSU 14–7 Q2 IOWA Vlasic 1-yard run (kick failed) SDSU 14–13 Q2 SDSU Gilbreath 28-yard pass from Santos (Rahill kick) SDSU 21–13 Q3 SDSU Gilmore 1-yard run (Rahill kick) SDSU 28–13 Q3 IOWA Hudson 1-yard run (Smith pass from Vlasic) SDSU 28–21 Q4 SDSU Hardy 6-yard run (Rahill kick) SDSU 35–21 Q4 IOWA Cook 29-yard pass from Vlasic (Flagg pass from Vlasic) SDSU 35–29 Q4 IOWA Flagg 4-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 36–35 Q4 SDSU Rahill 21-yard field goal SDSU 38–36 Q4 IOWA Houghtlin 41-yard field goal IOWA 39–38 yes 1986 Holiday Bowl 1986 San Diego State Aztecs football team December 23, 1986 HOLIDAY BOWL : SDSU vs. IOWA : 7 Days to Go : His Long Wait Was Worth It : Vlasic Had to Watch for Four Years Before Taking Over at Iowa Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-23-sp-82-story.html November 10, 2015 Game History: The 1986 SeaWorld Holiday Bowl http://sandiegobowlgames.com/1986-holiday-bowl-game/ sandiegobowlgames.com November 10, 2015 Roster 1986 Iowa Hawkeyes y 55 Sr Dave Alexander OL 23 So Richard Bass FB 13 Jr Rick Bayless RB y Rick Bayless (American football) 78 Jr Malcolm Christie OL 49 Jr Craig Clark TE 84 So Marv Cook TE y 82 Jr Pat Coppinger WR 25 Jr Marshall Cotton FB 61 Sr Dave Croston OT y 63 So Jeff Croston OL 58 Jr Greg Divis OL 1 Jr Quinn Early WR y 86 Jr Mike Flagg TE 74 Sr Chris Gambol OL y 22 So Grant Goodman RB 80 Jr Steve Green WR 16 So Deven Harberts WR 28 Jr Kevin Harmon RB 8 So Chuck Hartlieb QB y 15 Sr Jay Hess WR 20 So David Hudson FB 70 So Bob Kratch OG y 81 Jr Derrius Loveless WR 26 So Peter Marciano WR 47 Jr Jim Mauro WR 11 Fr Dan McGwire QB y Dan McGwire 89 Sr Dave Murphy TE 85 So John Palmer TE 14 Fr Tom Poholsky QB 67 So Jim Poynton OL 33 So Kevin Ringer RB 30 Sr John Rudolph FB 60 Jr Bob Schmitt OL 56 Sr Mark Sindlinger C 2 Sr Robert Smith WR 53 Sr Mark Spranger OL 12 Sr Mark Vlasic QB y 71 So Chuck Waggoner OL 88 Jr Tom Ward TE 2 Fr Travis Watkins WR 73 Jr Herb Wester OL 68 Jr Tim Anderson DL 93 Jr Tim Batterson LB 92 Jr Jeff Beard DE 48 So Tyrone Berrie DE 43 Jr Jeff Blake LB 19 Sr Mike Bolan DB 5 Jr Mike Burke DE 3 Jr Kerry Burt DB y 37 Sr George Davis LB 76 Sr Jeff Drost DL y 83 So Mike Ertz DE 94 Sr Bruce Gear DE 96 Sr Robert Grafton DE 64 So Dave Haight DL y 54 So Eric Higgins DL 42 So Tork Hook DB 19 Jr Carl Jackson DB 77 Sr Myron Keppy DL 4 Sr Lloyd Kimber DB 34 So Vernon Little LB 97 So Joe Mott DE y 71 So Chris Pigott DE 99 Sr Richard Pryor DE 32 Sr J.J. Puk LB 35 Fr Brad Quast LB y 95 So Jim Reilly LB 38 So Shawon Respress LB 91 So Sean Ridley DE 11 Sr Rick Schmidt DB 72 Sr Joe Schuster DL y 44 Jr Keaton Smiley DB 9 Sr Ken Sims DB 41 So Mark Stoops DB y 39 Jr Tyrone Taylor LB 95 Sr Eric Underberg DL 57 Sr Jon Vrieze DL 46 Jr Dan Wirth LB 10 So Anthony Wright DB 6 So George Murphy K 7 Jr Rob Houghtlin K y 27 Sr Gary Kostrubala P *Hayden Fry 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 Mike Stoops – Graduate assistant Jay Norvell – Graduate assistant Statistics Team statistics. On offense, the Hawkeyes gained an average of 228.1 passing yards and 192.6 rushing yards per game. They led the Big Ten with an average of 32.6 points per game.1986 Big Ten Conference Year Summary Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 31, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/1986.html On defense, they gave up an average of 172.9 passing yards and 102.6 rushing yards per game. They ranked third in the Big Ten in scoring defense, giving up an average of 17.8 points per game. Passing. Quarterback duties were shared between Mark Vlasic and Tom Poholsky. Vlasic completed 93 of 152 passes (61.2%) for 1,234 yards, nine touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 143.7 passer rating. Poholsky completed 64 of 123 passes (52.0%) for 980 yards, five touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 119.4 passer rating. Rushing. Rick Bayless led the team with 1,040 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 197 carries, an average of 5.3 yards per carry. Bayless' 1,040 yards ranked second in the Big Ten. He was the third player in Iowa history to rush for 1,000 yards and the fourth to lead the team in both rushing and pass receptions. His 87-yard touchdown run against Northern Illinois was the fourth longest scoring run in school history. David Hudson ranked second with 468 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 64 carries. Receiving. Bayless also led the team with 30 receptions for 209 yards. Jim Mauro led in receiving yardage with 580 yards on 28 carries and five receiving touchdowns. Scoring. Kicker Rob Houghtlin led the team with 81 points scored, converting 37 of 39 extra points and 13 of 20 field goals. Rick Bayless ranked second with 66 points on 11 touchdowns. Awards and honors Offensive tackle Dave Croston received first-team honors from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and The Sporting News on the 1986 All-America college football team. He also received second team honors from the United Press International (UPI) and the Gannett News Service. Junior running back Rick Bayless, who enrolled as a walk-on with no scholarship, received Iowa's Roy J. Carver most valuable player.Bayless walks off with Iowa's MVP award The Des Moines Register Ron Maly December 13, 1986 3S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-bayless-mvp/198661008/ Newspapers.com Five Iowa players received first-team honors on the 1986 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Croston (AP-1, UPI-1); Bayless (AP-1); guard Bob Kratch (UPI-1); defensive linemen Jeff Drost (AP-1, UPI-1) and Dave Haight (AP-1).TenHarbaugh heads All-Big Ten team The Michigan Daily November 26, 1986 8 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2706&dat=19861126&id=1A5KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vx4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1069,3998533Woodson, Waiters Both All-Big Ten Logansport Pharos-Tribune November 25, 1986 10 https://www.newspapers.com/image/16937786/?terms=UPI%2B%22all-big%2Bten%22 1987 NFL draft 1987 NFL draft 2 Iowa Hawkeyes Player Position Round Pick NFL club Chris Gambol Tackle3 58 Indianapolis Colts Dave Croston Tackle 3 61 Green Bay Packers Mark Vlasic Quarterback 4 88 San Diego Chargers Jeff Drost Defensive tackle 8 198 Green Bay Packerspro-football-reference.com 1987 NFL Draft https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm November 10, 2015 December 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221193418/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm dead References Iowa Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football seasons Category:Holiday Bowl champion seasons Iowa Hawkeyes football