1987 NCAA Division I-A football season
Encyclopedia
The 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Miami
winning its second national championship during the 80s in an Orange Bowl match-up featuring a rare #1 vs. #2 matchup between the top ranked Oklahoma Sooners
and the Hurricanes.
Miami's first three games were against ranked opponents in what was labeled a rebuilding year so when, after some late game theatrics by Michael Irvin
against rival Florida State, the Hurricanes were 3-0, the national media started to take notice.
Oklahoma was also seen as quite the juggernaut, averaging 428.8 yards rushing per game with their potent wishbone offense. Miami was able to hold Oklahoma to just 179 yards on the ground, winning the game 20-14.
Also having notable seasons were Syracuse
, and . Syracuse finished the season 11-0-1 and ranked #4 after a controversial Sugar Bowl
game in which kicked a late field goal to end the game in a tie. LSU went 10-1-1, ending the season ranked #5. This was LSU's first ten win season in 26 years and their highest ranking since 1961.
Florida State finished ranked #2, their only loss to Miami, and began a streak of 14 years where FSU either finished in the top 5 or played for the national championship. The Seminoles beat Rose Bowl
champion Michigan State
and SEC
champion Auburn
on the road and beat Nebraska
in the Fiesta Bowl
.
The year 1987 saw the first meeting, since 1946, between the University of Miami Hurricanes
and Miami University
. On November 7, in Florida, "Miami-FL" won 54-3 over "Miami-OH".
were #1, and their Big 8 Conference rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers
, were #2, during the first eleven polls taken in 1987. Beginning with the September 29 poll, Miami
was ranked #3. For polls 4 through 11, the ranking remained 1.Oklahoma 2.Nebraska 3.Miami. With the Big Eight champion contracted to play in the in Miami, the hometown Hurricanes were an obvious choice. The only question was whether the Big 8 team would be the Sooners or the Huskers.
In the 12th poll, issued on the Tuesday before the annual Nebraska-Oklahoma game, 9-0-0 Nebraska was voted #1 and 10-0-0 Oklahoma #2. The two teams met at Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 21, 1987, with Oklahoma winning 17-7. In the last three polls, Oklahoma stayed at #1 and Miami at #2.
1987 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 1987 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the second of five won by the University of Miami in football.-Pre-Season:...
winning its second national championship during the 80s in an Orange Bowl match-up featuring a rare #1 vs. #2 matchup between the top ranked Oklahoma Sooners
1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1987 NCAA Division I-A season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where...
and the Hurricanes.
Miami's first three games were against ranked opponents in what was labeled a rebuilding year so when, after some late game theatrics by Michael Irvin
Michael Irvin
Michael Jerome Irvin is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, and actor. He is also a former broadcaster for ESPN's NFL Countdown and currently an analyst for NFL Network. Irvin was self-nicknamed "The Playmaker" due to his penchant for making big plays in big games during his...
against rival Florida State, the Hurricanes were 3-0, the national media started to take notice.
Oklahoma was also seen as quite the juggernaut, averaging 428.8 yards rushing per game with their potent wishbone offense. Miami was able to hold Oklahoma to just 179 yards on the ground, winning the game 20-14.
Also having notable seasons were Syracuse
1987 Syracuse Orangemen football team
The 1987 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team finished 11–0–1 and tied Auburn in the 1988 Sugar Bowl.-Schedule:-1987 Team Players in the NFL:...
, and . Syracuse finished the season 11-0-1 and ranked #4 after a controversial Sugar Bowl
1988 Sugar Bowl
The 1988 Sugar Bowl was the 54th edition to the annual game. It featured the fourth ranked Syracuse Orangemen, and the sixth ranked Auburn Tigers...
game in which kicked a late field goal to end the game in a tie. LSU went 10-1-1, ending the season ranked #5. This was LSU's first ten win season in 26 years and their highest ranking since 1961.
Florida State finished ranked #2, their only loss to Miami, and began a streak of 14 years where FSU either finished in the top 5 or played for the national championship. The Seminoles beat Rose Bowl
1988 Rose Bowl
The 1988 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1988. It was the 74th Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the USC Trojans 20-17. Michigan State Linebacker Percy Snow was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. This was the last Rose Bowl game to air on NBC...
champion Michigan State
1987 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team went 9–2–1 overall and 7–0–1 in conference play, becoming Big Ten Conference champions. Michigan State beat Southern California to win the 1988 Rose Bowl,...
and SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
champion Auburn
1987 Auburn Tigers football team
The 1987 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 9–1–2 record and won their first of three straight SEC titles. Auburn went on to tie an undefeated Syracuse team in the 1988...
on the road and beat Nebraska
1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
in the Fiesta Bowl
1988 Fiesta Bowl
The 1988 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, played on January 1, 1988, was the 17th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the ....
.
Conference standings
Notable rivalry games
- Michigan State1987 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team went 9–2–1 overall and 7–0–1 in conference play, becoming Big Ten Conference champions. Michigan State beat Southern California to win the 1988 Rose Bowl,...
17, Michigan1987 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1987 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
11 20,Clemson 7 - Auburn1987 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1987 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 9–1–2 record and won their first of three straight SEC titles. Auburn went on to tie an undefeated Syracuse team in the 1988...
10, Alabama 0 17, Kansas State1987 Kansas State Wildcats football teamThe 1987 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 1987. The team's head football coach was Stan Parrish. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. 1987 saw the wildcats finish with a record of 0-10-1, and a 0-6-1 record...
17 41, 36 - Oklahoma1987 Oklahoma Sooners football teamThe 1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1987 NCAA Division I-A season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where...
17, Nebraska1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
7 - Miami1987 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1987 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the second of five won by the University of Miami in football.-Pre-Season:...
26, 25 - USC 17 UCLA 13 (decided Rose Bowl berth)
- Pitt1987 Pittsburgh Panthers football teamThe 1987 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1987 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
10, Penn State 0
The year 1987 saw the first meeting, since 1946, between the University of Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
and Miami University
Miami RedHawks football
The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference...
. On November 7, in Florida, "Miami-FL" won 54-3 over "Miami-OH".
#1 and #2 progress
The Oklahoma Sooners1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1987 NCAA Division I-A season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where...
were #1, and their Big 8 Conference rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers
1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
, were #2, during the first eleven polls taken in 1987. Beginning with the September 29 poll, Miami
1987 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 1987 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the second of five won by the University of Miami in football.-Pre-Season:...
was ranked #3. For polls 4 through 11, the ranking remained 1.Oklahoma 2.Nebraska 3.Miami. With the Big Eight champion contracted to play in the in Miami, the hometown Hurricanes were an obvious choice. The only question was whether the Big 8 team would be the Sooners or the Huskers.
In the 12th poll, issued on the Tuesday before the annual Nebraska-Oklahoma game, 9-0-0 Nebraska was voted #1 and 10-0-0 Oklahoma #2. The two teams met at Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 21, 1987, with Oklahoma winning 17-7. In the last three polls, Oklahoma stayed at #1 and Miami at #2.
Bowl games
- Rose Bowl1988 Rose BowlThe 1988 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1988. It was the 74th Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the USC Trojans 20-17. Michigan State Linebacker Percy Snow was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. This was the last Rose Bowl game to air on NBC...
: #8 Michigan State1987 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team went 9–2–1 overall and 7–0–1 in conference play, becoming Big Ten Conference champions. Michigan State beat Southern California to win the 1988 Rose Bowl,...
20, #16 USC 17 - Sugar Bowl1988 Sugar BowlThe 1988 Sugar Bowl was the 54th edition to the annual game. It featured the fourth ranked Syracuse Orangemen, and the sixth ranked Auburn Tigers...
: #6 Auburn1987 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1987 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 9–1–2 record and won their first of three straight SEC titles. Auburn went on to tie an undefeated Syracuse team in the 1988...
16, #4 Syracuse1987 Syracuse Orangemen football teamThe 1987 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team finished 11–0–1 and tied Auburn in the 1988 Sugar Bowl.-Schedule:-1987 Team Players in the NFL:...
16: #13 35, #12 Notre Dame 10 - Fiesta Bowl1988 Fiesta BowlThe 1988 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, played on January 1, 1988, was the 17th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the ....
: #3 31, #5 Nebraska1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
28: #14 Clemson 35, #19 Penn State 10 - Orange Bowl1988 Orange BowlThe 1988 Orange Bowl was a postseason American college football bowl game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Oklahoma Sooners. It was the 54th edition of the Orange Bowl and took place at the Orange Bowl stadium in Miami, Florida on January 1, 1988. Miami was coached by Jimmy Johnson and Oklahoma...
: #2 Miami (FL)1987 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1987 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the second of five won by the University of Miami in football.-Pre-Season:...
20, #1 Oklahoma1987 Oklahoma Sooners football teamThe 1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1987 NCAA Division I-A season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where...
14 - Hall of Fame Bowl1988 Hall of Fame BowlThe 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl, part of the 1987 bowl game season, took place on January 2, 1988, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference , and the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference...
: Michigan1987 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1987 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
28, Alabama 24 - Gator Bowl: #7 30, #9 13
- John Hancock Sun Bowl1987 Sun BowlThe 1987 John Hancock Sun Bowl featured the and the Oklahoma State Cowboys.In the spring of 1987, West Virginia was the scene of an historic battle for the starting quarterback position...
: #11 Oklahoma State1987 Oklahoma State Cowboys football teamThe 1987 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented the Oklahoma State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Thurman Thomas was in his senior year for the Cowboys.-Schedule:...
35, 33 - Holiday Bowl1987 Holiday BowlThe 1987 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 30, 1987 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the 18th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, and the 10-2 Wyoming Cowboys....
: #18 Iowa1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football teamThe 1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1987 college football season.-Schedule:-Team players in the NFL:- References :...
20, Wyoming1987 Wyoming Cowboys football teamThe Wyoming Cowboys represented the University of Wyoming in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Cowboys offense scored 426 points, while the defense allowed 271 points...
19: 33, Air Force1987 Air Force Falcons football teamThe 1987 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Falcons offense scored 405 points while the defense allowed 269 points. At season’s end, the Falcons appeared in the 1987 Freedom Bowl. In the Ram-Falcon...
28: #17 Tennessee1987 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1987 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Vols won the Kickoff Classic over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Led by head coach Johnny Majors, the Volunteers won the .-Schedule:...
27, #21 22 - All-American Bowl1987 All-American BowlThe 1987 All-American Bowl featured the first meeting between the and the . BYU, coached by Lavell Edwards, had a 9–3 record going into the bowl game and Virginia, coached by George Welsh had a 7–4 record.-Game summary:...
: 22, 16: #15 Georgia 20, Arkansas 17: #10 UCLA 20, Florida 16: Washington 24, 12: 30, 27
Final AP Poll
- Miami (FL)1987 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1987 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the second of five won by the University of Miami in football.-Pre-Season:...
- Oklahoma1987 Oklahoma Sooners football teamThe 1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1987 NCAA Division I-A season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where...
- Syracuse1987 Syracuse Orangemen football teamThe 1987 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team finished 11–0–1 and tied Auburn in the 1988 Sugar Bowl.-Schedule:-1987 Team Players in the NFL:...
- Nebraska1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
- Auburn1987 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1987 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 9–1–2 record and won their first of three straight SEC titles. Auburn went on to tie an undefeated Syracuse team in the 1988...
- Michigan State1987 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team went 9–2–1 overall and 7–0–1 in conference play, becoming Big Ten Conference champions. Michigan State beat Southern California to win the 1988 Rose Bowl,...
- UCLA
- Oklahoma State1987 Oklahoma State Cowboys football teamThe 1987 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented the Oklahoma State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Thurman Thomas was in his senior year for the Cowboys.-Schedule:...
- Clemson
- Georgia
- Tennessee1987 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1987 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Vols won the Kickoff Classic over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Led by head coach Johnny Majors, the Volunteers won the .-Schedule:...
- Iowa1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football teamThe 1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1987 college football season.-Schedule:-Team players in the NFL:- References :...
- Notre Dame
- Southern California
- Michigan1987 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1987 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
- Texas1987 Texas Longhorns football teamThe 1987 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 6-5 record and defeated Pittsburgh in the 1987 Bluebonnet Bowl....
Final Coaches Poll
- Miami (FL)1987 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1987 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the second of five won by the University of Miami in football.-Pre-Season:...
- Oklahoma1987 Oklahoma Sooners football teamThe 1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football 1987 NCAA Division I-A season. Oklahoma Sooners football participated in the former Big Eight Conference at that time and played its home games in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where...
- Syracuse1987 Syracuse Orangemen football teamThe 1987 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team finished 11–0–1 and tied Auburn in the 1988 Sugar Bowl.-Schedule:-1987 Team Players in the NFL:...
- Nebraska1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
- Auburn1987 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1987 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 9–1–2 record and won their first of three straight SEC titles. Auburn went on to tie an undefeated Syracuse team in the 1988...
- Michigan State1987 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team went 9–2–1 overall and 7–0–1 in conference play, becoming Big Ten Conference champions. Michigan State beat Southern California to win the 1988 Rose Bowl,...
- Clemson
- UCLA
- Oklahoma State1987 Oklahoma State Cowboys football teamThe 1987 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented the Oklahoma State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Thurman Thomas was in his senior year for the Cowboys.-Schedule:...
- Tennessee1987 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1987 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Vols won the Kickoff Classic over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Led by head coach Johnny Majors, the Volunteers won the .-Schedule:...
- Georgia
- Iowa1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football teamThe 1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1987 college football season.-Schedule:-Team players in the NFL:- References :...
- Southern California
- Michigan1987 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1987 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
- Texas1987 Texas Longhorns football teamThe 1987 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 6-5 record and defeated Pittsburgh in the 1987 Bluebonnet Bowl....
Heisman Trophy
- Winner: Tim Brown, Notre Dame, Sr. WR
- Don McPhersonDon McPhersonDonald G. McPherson is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988 after a college career at Syracuse University during which he won the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and finished second...
, Syracuse, Sr. QB - Gordie Lockbaum, Holy Cross, Sr. TB
- Lorenzo WhiteLorenzo WhiteLorenzo Maurice White , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 1st round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He attended Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale in Florida. A 5 ft 11 in running back from Michigan State University, White played in 8...
, Michigan State, Sr. TB - Craig HeywardCraig HeywardCraig William "Ironhead" Heyward was an American football running back who played for the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, St...
, Pittsburgh, Jr. RB
Other major awards
- Maxwell (Player):Don McPherson, Syracuse
- Camp (Back): Tim Brown, Notre Dame
- O'Brein Award (QB): Don McPherson, Syracuse
- Rockne (Lineman): N/A
- Lombardi (Linebacker): Chris Spielman, Ohio State
- Outland (Interior): Chad Hennings, Air Force
- Coach of the Year: