Rob Houghtlin
Encyclopedia
Rob Houghtlin was a kicker for the University of Iowa
’s football team from 1985-1987. He made four game-winning field goals in his career, the most memorable of which led Iowa
to a victory over Michigan
in 1985.
before transferring to the University of Iowa
. He walked on to the football team as a sophomore before the 1985 season.
selection after his sophomore season.
As a junior in 1986, he missed a 52-yard field goal at the end of a 27-27 tie game against Minnesota
. However, a Minnesota penalty gave Houghtlin another opportunity, and he made a 37-yard field goal as time expired to defeat the Gophers, 30-27. Iowa’s final game that year was the 1986 Holiday Bowl
against San Diego State. Iowa trailed, 38-36, with four seconds remaining. Chuck Hartlieb
caught a high snap, and Rob Houghtlin kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired to give Iowa a 39-38 victory.
Houghtlin was again an all-Big Ten selection as a senior in 1987. He left Iowa as the school’s all-time leader in field goals and points.
with the Chicago Bruisers
in 1989 before retiring. That same year, Iowa fans selected an all-time University of Iowa football
team during the 100th anniversary celebration of Iowa football, and Houghtlin was selected as the team’s kicker.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
’s football team from 1985-1987. He made four game-winning field goals in his career, the most memorable of which led Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
to a victory over Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
in 1985.
Background
Rob Houghtlin attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. He played for one season at Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
before transferring to the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
. He walked on to the football team as a sophomore before the 1985 season.
Iowa career
On October 19, 1985, the Iowa Hawkeyes were ranked #1 in the nation, while the Michigan Wolverines were ranked #2. Michigan came to Iowa City for a rare matchup of the top two teams in the nation. Iowa trailed, 10-9, with two seconds to play in the game. Rob Houghtlin kicked a 29-yard field goal from the right hash mark as time expired to give Iowa a 12-10 win. Later that season, he made a 25-yard field goal as time ran out to beat Purdue, 27-24. Houghtlin was an all-Big TenBig Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
selection after his sophomore season.
As a junior in 1986, he missed a 52-yard field goal at the end of a 27-27 tie game against Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. However, a Minnesota penalty gave Houghtlin another opportunity, and he made a 37-yard field goal as time expired to defeat the Gophers, 30-27. Iowa’s final game that year was the 1986 Holiday Bowl
Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A college football bowl game that has been played annually at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, since 1978. Beginning with the 2010 playing the bowl will officially be known as the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl after...
against San Diego State. Iowa trailed, 38-36, with four seconds remaining. Chuck Hartlieb
Chuck Hartlieb
Chuck Hartlieb is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1984–1988 and started at that position from 1987–1988...
caught a high snap, and Rob Houghtlin kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired to give Iowa a 39-38 victory.
Houghtlin was again an all-Big Ten selection as a senior in 1987. He left Iowa as the school’s all-time leader in field goals and points.
Honors
Rob Houghtlin played one season in the Arena Football LeagueArena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
with the Chicago Bruisers
Chicago Bruisers
The Chicago Bruisers were a charter member of the Arena Football League, playing in the four-team "demonstration season" of 1987. They played their home games in the former Rosemont Horizon, now the Allstate Arena, home of the Chicago Rush.-History:...
in 1989 before retiring. That same year, Iowa fans selected an all-time University of Iowa football
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
team during the 100th anniversary celebration of Iowa football, and Houghtlin was selected as the team’s kicker.