Houston Football was 3-3 in 1981 when they traveled to Little Rock to face #12 Arkansas. In his fifth year as the head Hog, Lou Holtz had prioritized winning at War Memorial Stadium: the Razorbacks were 15-1 in Little Rock during his tenure. UH’s prior game at War Memorial ended in a 30-0 beatdown in 1977.
Heading into the game, UH had lost back-to-back games at A&M (7-6) and to #10 SMU (38-22). Meanwhile, Arkansas had blown out #1 Texas the week before in Fayetteville (42-11) and had jumped to #12 in the AP Poll.
Late in the 3rd quarter, UH trailed Arkansas 17-10. Then, a screwy game – the teams combined for 16 fumbles (4 lost) and three interceptions – went off the rails.
UH DB Calvin Eason intercepted an Arkansas pass and returned it 42 yards to the Arkansas nine-yard line. But the offense stalled: Cougar QB Lionel Wilson was dropped for a loss on first down, then sacked for a seven-yard loss on 2nd down. On 3rd and goal from the 19, Arkansas DE Billy Ray Smith intercepted Wilson. But while trying to return it, Smith fumbled, and UH guard Scott Marshall recovered at the 44.
With a new set of downs, the Coogs capitalized. On the first play of the 4th quarter, QB Lionel Wilson hit Dave Roberson for a 40-yard, game-tying score.
“Wilson is an excellent quarterback. He made things happen,” Holtz said after the game. “He’s big and strong and runs and throws the ball well.”
After three straight three-and-outs, UH picked up a few first downs but had to punt from its 40-yard line. On the Hogs’ first play, Butch LaCroix intercepted a Razorback pass and returned it 20 yards. UH moved it another 29 yards in six plays before barefoot Mike Clendenen made a 17-yard field goal to put the Cougars up by three, 20-17, with just over five minutes to play.
It was Clendenen’s second week kicking for the Coogs. The freshman from LaPorte was a friend of Todd Schoppe and was not with the team to start the season. Clendenen had not attempted a field goal in his senior year of high school and did not intend to play in 1981. His plan was to walk on in 1982.
Having walked on a year earlier than expected, he didn’t even gethis name spelled correctly on this jersey. It said Clendenon.
“Clendenen was just great, bless him,” Bill Yeoman said. “Maybe if we had had him earlier, we would have won two more games.”
Arkansas chose to punt on their next drive on 4th and 7 with three minutes to play. Holtz would be criticized for that decision. UH picked up a first down and bled the clock but was forced to kick it away. With 12 seconds left, the Razorbacks picked up a first down before attempting a last-gasp throw, but Donnie Love broke it up. The Cougars survived.
It was UH’s fourth-straight win over Lou Holtz and Arkansas after losing to the Hogs in their first two years in the SWC.
Houston 20, Arkansas 17 Gallery
