1987 Syracuse Orangemen football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1987 Syracuse Orangemen football Independent 11–0–1 4 4 Dick MacPherson 7th George DeLeone 1st Paul Frase Ted Gregory Don McPherson2017 Syracuse football media guide pg. 150 Carrier Dome Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy Sugar Bowl T 16–16 vs. Auburn The 1987 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University as an independent during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Dick MacPherson, the Orangemen compiled a record of 11–0–1 and tied Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. The 11 wins by the Orangemen matched the school record set by the national champion 1959 team, and their No. 4 ranking in the final AP poll was the first ranked finish since 1961.https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/syracuse/ Syracuse Orange Football Record by Year Sports Reference LLC January 25, 2018 The team played home games at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Schedule 1987 AP September 5 w Maryland Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY 25–11 35,234 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-syracuse-defeats-maryla/140091683/ Sunday News Journal Syracuse defeats Maryland 25–11 September 6, 1987 February 2, 2024 Newspapers.com September 12 w at Rutgers Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ 20–3 23,726 https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-syracuse-subdues-rutge/172085704/ Asbury Park Press Syracuse subdues Rutgers September 13, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com September 19 w Miami (OH) Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY 24–10 33,838 https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-sus-slate-stays/172087941/ Syracuse Herald-American SU's slate stays clean September 20, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com September 26 w y Virginia Tech Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 35–21 33,300 https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-orange-rallies-on/140069660/ Press and Sun-Bulletin Orange rallies on road September 27, 1987 February 1, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 w y Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO 24–13 36,773 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-ledger-syracuses-2d-half-surge/172088069/ The Star-Ledger Syracuse's 2d-half surge surprises Missouri, 24–13 October 4, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com October 17 w 13 Penn State 10 Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY rivalry CBS 48–21 50,011 https://www.newspapers.com/article/centre-daily-times-orange-crush-lions-4/172087019/ Centre Daily Times Orange crush Lions, 48–21 October 18, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com October 24 w 9 Colgate Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY rivalry 52–6 48,097 SU's Passing Blasts Colgate, 52–6, Keeps Record Perfect Gary Fallesen October 25, 1987 1E, 5E Democrat and Chronicle Rochester, N.Y. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57366188/1987-colgate-syracuse/ October 31 w y 8 Pittsburgh Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA rivalry CBS 24–10 52,714 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-red-hot-orange-burn-pitt/172087348/ The Record Red-hot Orange burn Pitt November 1, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com November 7 w y 8 Navy Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD 34–10 26,614 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-mcpherson-leads-syracuse/171996484/ St. Petersburg Times McPherson leads Syracuse to 34–10 romp over Navy November 8, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com November 14 w 6 Boston College Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY 45–17 49,892 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bradenton-herald-syracuse-rallies-pa/172083983/ The Bradenton Herald Syracuse rallies past Boston College November 15, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com November 21 w 6 West Virginia Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY rivalry 32–31 49,866 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-lauderdale-news-syracuse-gets-sweet/140068857/ Fort Lauderdale News Syracuse gets sweet victory with 10 seconds left November 22, 1987 February 1, 2024 Newspapers.com January 1 t y 4 Auburn 6 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 16–16 75,495 https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-orange-taste-bitt/135004843/ Press and Sun-Bulletin Orange taste bitter Sugar January 2, 1988 November 11, 2023 Newspapers.com Roster 1987 Syracuse Orange y 36 Jr Robert Drummond Robert Drummond (gridiron football) RB y 32 Jr Daryl Johnston RB y Sr Tommy Kane WR y 84 Sr Pat Kelly Pat Kelly (American football) TE y 9 Sr Don McPherson QB y 5 Jr Todd Philcox QB y So David Bavaro LB y So Fred DeRiggi DT 94 Sr Paul Frase DT y 93 Sr Ted Gregory NG y 10 Jr Markus Paul DB y 90 So Terry Wooden LB y 4 Sr Jim Fox P Dick MacPherson Awards and honors Dick MacPherson, Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Awardhttp://www.bobbydoddfoundation.com/pastwinners2.html Past Winners 2009-09-26 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081201121406/http://www.bobbydoddfoundation.com/pastwinners2.html 2008-12-01 Dick MacPherson, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award Dick MacPherson, Paul Bear Bryant Award http://www.nssahalloffame.com/72/index.aspx dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071227235216/http://www.nssahalloffame.com/72/index.aspx 2007-12-27 Bear Bryant Award Past Winners - Dick MacPherson, Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award Don McPherson, Sammy Baugh Trophyhttp://www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com/Awards.htm#SAMMY Awards www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com https://web.archive.org/web/20110717080156/http://www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com/Awards.htm 2011-07-17 Don McPherson, Maxwell Awardhttp://football.about.com/cs/history/a/maxwellaward.htm Football 2008-12-24 2012-03-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20120307152554/http://football.about.com/cs/history/a/maxwellaward.htm dead Don McPherson, Davey O’Brien Award Don McPherson, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awardhttp://www.goldenarmfoundation.com/past-winners.html Johnny Unitas - Golden Arm Award 2008-01-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071216032405/http://www.goldenarmfoundation.com/past-winners.html 2007-12-16 Don McPherson, Second in Heisman Trophy voting Don McPherson, unanimous first team All-American (AP, UPI, AFCA, FWAA, WCF, SN) Ted Gregory, consensus first team All-American (FWAA, UPI, SN, FN, PFW) Tommy Kane, Sporting News second team All-American 1987 team players in the NFL 2 white Syracuse Orangemen Player Round Pick Position Club Ted Gregory 1 26 Nose guard Denver Broncos Tommy Kane 3 75 Wide receiver Seattle Seahawks Paul Frase 6 146 Defensive tackle New York Jets Don McPherson 6 149 Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles Pat Kelly 7 174 Tight end Denver Broncos Tim Vesling 12 327 Kicker Indianapolis Colts References Syracuse Category:Syracuse Orange football seasons Category:Sugar Bowl champion seasons Category:Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Syracuse Orangemen football Category:Long stubs with short prose