SUN BOWL

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 31, 1997 12 AM PT

Arizona State (8-3) vs. Iowa (7-4)

Today, 11 a.m., Channel 2

Site: El Paso.

Series history: First meeting.

Bowl records: Arizona State 9-6-1, Iowa 7-7-1.

How teams got there: A 28-16 loss to archrival Arizona probably cost the Sun Devils an alliance bowl bid. Arizona State, whose defense is one of the nation’s best, was the only team to defeat Pacific 10 Conference champion Washington State. Iowa opened the season 4-0 with blowout victories against weak competition, but struggled once it got into the heart of the Big Ten schedule and needed a 31-0 victory over Minnesota in the regular-season finale to qualify for a bowl.

The game: Steve Campbell, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound junior, will make his first start at quarterback in place of freshman Ryan Kealy, who suffered a knee injury in the loss to Arizona. The Sun Devils will hope for a big game from running back/kick returner J.R. Redmond, who led the Pac-10 in all-purpose yards (2,455), including 865 rushing despite a midseason injury. Lenzie Jackson (53 catches) is the Sun Devils’ leading receiver. Arizona State’s defense gave up a conference-low 18.5 points a game. The Hawkeyes have big-play potential in running back Tavian Banks (149 yards a game) and Tim Dwight, a speedy wide receiver who is also the nation’s leading punt returner. A key to the Hawkeyes’ success will be their ability to get the ball in Dwight’s hands. That hasn’t always been easy as Iowa has had inconsistent play at quarterback all season. The Hawkeyes give up only 12.9 points a game and are ranked second in the Big Ten in total defense.

ARIZONA STATE (8-3)

New Mexico State: W 41-10

Miami: W 23-12

BYU: L 13-10

Oregon State: W 13-10

Washington: L 26-14

USC: W 35-7

Stanford: W 31-14

Washington State: W 44-31

California: W 28-21

Oregon: W 52-31

Arizona: L 28-16