Iowa outlasts Badgers: Harmon's 237 yards, defense key Hawks

(Published 10/13/1985)

MADISON, WIS. -

Wisconsin knocked quarterback Chuck Long to the floor frequently, but the Badgers couldn't handle Iowa's counterpunches Saturday afternoon.

Ronnie Harmon's 237 total yards, Jay Norvell's two interceptions and Rob Houghtlin's three field goals carried No. 1-ranked Iowa to a 23-13 Big Ten Conference football victory before 79,023 fans at relatively-quiet Camp Randall Stadium.

Now comes the clash of heavyweights.

Iowa will tangle with No. 3-ranked Michigan next Saturday at 2:40 p.m. in Kinnick Stadium in what shapes up to be a titanic struggle of nationwide importance. CBS will televise the game.

Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota are tied for the Big Ten lead with 2-0 records. But only the Hawkeyes and Wolverines are unbeaten overall, both at 5-0. Michigan went on the road to rout Michigan State Saturday, 31-0.

Iowa led the whole way, extending its unbeaten streak against Wisconsin to nine games. But it took some crucial defensive stands and the running of Harmon to hold off Wisconsin, which tied Iowa last year. The Badgers are 0-2 in the Big Ten, 3-2 overall.

"We didn't play great but we did what we had to do," Iowa Coach Hayden Fry said simply in a postgame press conference held in Wisconsin's steamy wrestling room. "We weren't too polished on offense or defense, but we kept coming up with the big plays. I really felt the only way we could lose was to beat ourselves."

Iowa has been top-rated the past two weeks by Associated Press, but the Hawkeyes apparently haven't convinced Fry.

"I don't think we're No. 1," Fry said. "I certainly haven't voted us No. 1 in the (United Press International) coaches' poll. I keep telling our guys that they're No. 2, hoping they'll try a little harder."

Harmon enjoyed his best game of the year, rushing for 175 yards on 20 carries and catching eight passes for 62 yards. His 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave Iowa a much-needed lift after Wisconsin had closed the lead to 13-10.

"I'm not sure we could've won without him," Fry said. "It was the first complete game he's had this year. He really looked like the old Harmon."

Wisconsin Coach Dave McClain added, "We knew Ronnie Harmon would hurt us with his running, and he did. But (four) turnovers hurt, too. That's 18 turnovers in five games."

Fry said the game plan called for more running than passing this week, but he might have been even more convinced to do so when Long was roughed up in the first half.

On Iowa's first offensive play, Long was leveled after getting off a pass to Fred Bush and appeared groggy. And with 1:31 left in the half, Long was sacked by outside linebacker Tim Jordan for a five-yard loss. After spending some time on his back, Long walked off the field, foggy.

"I don't seem to remember much of the first quarter," Long said. "At halftime, I felt a lot better. Right now, everything is sore because they really drilled me. I'm just glad to get out of here alive."

Fry said he was "more concerned with Wisconsin fans than anything else," but the Badger faithful posed no serious problems. In fact, Fry said after the game that "they ought to be complimented because other than a few rotten eggs thrown at us, the fans conducted themselves well. I certainly don't have anything critical to say about them, unless we leave here and buses are overturned."

The game was especially gratifying for Harmon and Norvell, for different reasons. Harmon suffered a broken leg in the fourth quarter last year against Wisconsin. Meanwhile, it was a homecoming for Norvell, who played his high school ball at Memorial High School here.

"Next week wouldn't have meant anything if we hadn't won this one," said Norvell, whose interceptions set up both of Iowa's touchdowns.

Iowa took a 3-0 lead when Houghtlin made a 30-yard field goal with 3:55 left in the first quarter. Wisconsin can thank its goal post that the drive didn't result in a touchdown. On a first-down play from the Badger 16, Long found wingback Scott Helverson open deep in the end zone, but Helverson crashed hard into one of the supports and dropped the ball.

Wisconsin stalled at midfield on its next possession, and was forced to punt. But Ken Sims roared in from the left side to block Scott Cepicky's punt, giving Iowa the ball at its 48.

The Hawkeyes were unable to get a first down, but Norvell came to the rescue on the fifth play of the Badgers' next drive. He cut in front of Wisconsin tight end Scott Sharon and intercepted Mike Howard's pass at the Badgers' 30.

Harmon raced 22 yards on the first play, cutting brilliantly against the grain. After an incompletion, Long hit Bill Happel on a down-and-out pattern for an 8-yard touchdown. It was Long's 15th TD pass of the season, the 62nd of his career.

Iowa missed an opportunity to take a 17-0 lead on its next possession, failing to get into the end zone after having first-and-goal at the Wisconsin four. Houghtlin lined up to kick a 22-yard field goal, but Mark Vlasic, the holder and second string quarterback, initiated a fake. However, rolling to the right, he overshot tight end Mike Flagg with a pass into the end zone.

"We were trying to ice it right there," Fry said.

The first of several crucial defensive stands for Iowa came early in the third quarter. Robb Johnston intercepted Long's pass on the third play of the second half, giving Wisconsin possession at the Iowa 41. But, with Bud Keyes on in relief of Howard, the Hawkeyes forced three incompletions.

Keyes' 3-yard touchdown pass to Joe Armentrout with 5:52 left in the third period, plus Todd Gregoire's kick, cut Iowa's lead to 10-7. Iowa responded with a six-play drive to the Wisconsin 23, aided by a late hit penalty on the Badgers. Houghtlin booted a 40-yard field goal to put Iowa in front 13-7.

Larry Emery, who gained 104 yards rushing for Wisconsin, sparked the Badgers on the next series. He ran 36 yards to the Iowa eight, setting up Gregoire's 27-yard field goal with seven seconds left in the period.

Harmon was stripped of the ball by Johnston after a 28-yard gain on the second play after Gregoire's field goal, and Troy Spencer recovered at the Wisconsin 30. But four plays later, Norvell struck again, intercepting Keyes' pass at the Iowa 45 and returning the ball to Wisconsin's 31.

Four plays later, on third-and-two from the 12, Harmon swept right end, dodged defenders and skipped into the end zone. Houghtlin's kick gave Iowa a 20-10 lead.

Wisconsin threatened when Iowa's Robert Smith fumbled a punt, giving the ball to the Badgers at the 16. But Wisconsin moved only nine yards in seven plays and settled for Gregoire's 24-yard kick.

Houghtlin booted his third field goal - his ninth of the season - from 35 yards with 3:14 left.

Wisconsin moved to the Iowa 2 with under a minute to play, but Devon Mitchell's interception in the end zone prevented a score.

Iowa did not escape without injury. Guard Kelly O'Brien suffered a knee injury on the first series and defensive tackle Jeff Drost injured his ankle late in the game. The status of both are questionable for Saturday.