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.
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.
After three straight three-and-outs, UH started moving the ball 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 freshman Mike Clendenen made a 17-yard field goal to put the Cougars up by three, 20-17.
Arkansas chose to punt on their next drive with three minutes to play. 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. Arkansas then ran off eight wins in the series under Holtz and Ken Hatfield.
