1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers football Big Eight Conference Big 8 6 6 10–2 6–1 Tom Osborne 15th I formation Charlie McBride 7th 3–4 Memorial Stadium Fiesta Bowl L 28–31 vs. Florida State 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 1987 AP Central September 5 1:30 pm w y 2 Utah State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 56–12 75,910 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-jones-taylor-star-as-nebra/172243820/ Star Tribune Jones, Taylor star as Nebraska rolls September 6, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com September 12 4:00 pm w y 2 UCLA 3 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ESPN 42–33 76,313 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-nebraskas-qb-taylor-s/172247627/ The Wichita Eagle-Beacon Nebraska's QB Taylor sinks UCLA September 13, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com September 26 2:30 pm w y y 2 Arizona State 12 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ ABC 35–28 71,264 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-nebraska-rally-takes/172258591/ The Courier-Journal Nebraska rally takes care of business September 27, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 3 3:00 pm w y 2 South Carolina Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ESPN 30–21 76,061 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-island-independent-huskers-sur/140070787/ The Grand Island Independent Huskers survive Gamecock test October 4, 1987 February 1, 2024 Newspapers.com October 10 1:30 pm w 2 Kansas Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 54–2 76,053 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-huskers-strike-e/172327641/ The Des Moines Register Huskers strike early, often and wipe out Kansas, 54–2 October 11, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 17 1:30 pm w y 2 Oklahoma State 12 Lewis Field Stillwater, OK CBS 35–0 50,440 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-nebraska-finally-puts-it-al/172327770/ Star Tribune Nebraska finally puts it all together October 18, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 24 1:30 pm w y 2 Kansas State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 56–3 76,106 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-no-2-cornhuskers-cru/172327869/ Detroit Free Press No. 2 Cornhuskers crush Kansas State October 25, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 31 1:30 pm w y 2 Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, Missouri rivalry 42–7 55,594 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-osborne-switzer-tie-vic/172327990/ Chicago Tribune Osborne, Switzer tie victory mark November 1, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com November 7 1:30 pm w 2 Iowa State Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 42–3 76,001 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-jones-runs-nebraska/172328105/ The Idaho Statesman Jones runs Nebraska by Iowa State November 8, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com November 21 2:30 pm l 1 Oklahoma 2 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry CBS 7–17 76,663 https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-defense-leads-seco/172327332/ Winston-Salem Journal Defense leads second-half comeback as Oklahoma defeats Nebraska 17–7 November 22, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com November 28 3:00 pm w y 5 Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry ESPN 24–7 52,026 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbus-telegram-keith-jones-runs-w/172328283/ The Columbus Telegram Keith Jones runs wild as Huskers thump Colorado November 29, 1987 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1, 1988, 1988 12:30 pm l y y 5 Florida State 3 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ Fiesta Bowl NBC 28–31 72,112 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-mcmanus-luck-spu/172087607/ The Arizona Republic McManus. 'luck' spur Seminoles in Fiesta thriller January 2, 1988 May 13, 2025 Newspapers.com Rankings 1987 NCAA Division I-A football rankings 15 AP 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 5 5 5 6 15 Coaches 6 Game summaries Utah State Utah State at Nebraska [box score] Utah State Nebraska 0 3 3 6 7 21 21 7 1987-09-05 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 75,910 Nebraska QB Steve Taylor rushed for 157 yards, breaking a 35-year-old Cornhusker quarterback record, and Nebraska returned two punts for touchdowns, tying its own Big 8 record. Nebraska rolled over Utah State with 515 rushing yards while holding the Aggies to −1 yard. UCLA UCLA at Nebraska [box score] UCLA Nebraska 7 3 7 16 0 14 14 14 1987-09-12 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,313 Memorial Stadium recorded its 150th consecutive sellout as #2 Nebraska defeated #3 UCLA. This was the first time two teams from the Top 3 had played in Lincoln. Nebraska QB Steve Taylor's five TD passes tied a Big 8 record set in 1938. Arizona State Nebraska at Arizona State [box score] Nebraska Arizona State 0 14 7 14 0 6 15 7 1987-09-26 Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona CST 71,264 Following a late ASU game-tying score resulting from a fumble by Nebraska QB Steve Taylor, Nebraska IB Keith Jones tore off a 62-yard run with 3:37 remaining to set up the winning series as Nebraska triumphed over the #12 Sun Devils. South Carolina South Carolina at Nebraska [box score] South Carolina Nebraska 0 7 14 0 3 10 0 17 1987-10-03 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,061 South Carolina was leading 21–13 in the 3rd as Nebraska QB Steve Taylor left the game with a shoulder injury. After that, Nebraska regained the momentum, holding the Gamecocks to just 9 yards total, recovering a fumble to set up a score, and adding a late interception and field goal to put up the win. Kansas Kansas at Nebraska [box score] Kansas Nebraska 0 0 0 2 17 10 14 13 1987-10-10 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,053 Nebraska cruised against a weak Kansas team, as Nebraska QB Clete Blakeman filled in for injured starting QB Steve Taylor. Oklahoma State Nebraska at Oklahoma State [box score] Nebraska Oklahoma State 7 14 7 7 0 0 0 0 1987-10-17 Lewis Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma CST 54,440 Nebraska continued their 26-year winning streak against the Cowboys, putting a stop to #12 Oklahoma State's best start and best winning streak since 1945. Cowboys RB Thurman Thomas, at that time the NCAA rushing leader, was held to just 7 yards in 9 carries. Kansas State Nebraska Cornhuskers 2; text-align:center collapsed Kansas State Wildcats (0–6) at #2 Nebraska Cornhuskers (6–0) October 24, 1987 Kansas St 0 3 0 0 Nebraska 21 14 14 7 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska 76,106 Box Score Nebraska secured their 26th consecutive winning season, tying the NCAA record, and rolled up 459 rushing yards using 17 rushing players, while the Cornhusker defense prevented a touchdown for the third game in a row. left Kansas State Wildcats Kansas St Nebraska Cornhuskers Nebraska Gary Swim 12/29, 118 Yds, INT Lee Pickett 9 Rush, 44 Yds Kent Dean 5 Rec, 59 Yds Clete Blakeman 9/10, 165 Yds, TD Tyreese Knox 8 Rush, 100 Yds, TD Todd Millikan 3 Rec, 46 Yds KSU NU collapsed 1 13:18 Nebraska 3 66 RushTD Steve Taylor 49 good Chris Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 8:23 Nebraska 10 39 RecTD Tom Banderas Steve Taylor 15 good Chris Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 14 1 0:25 Nebraska 10 80 RushTD Richard Bell 46 good Chris Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 21 2 7:07 Nebraska 10 56 RushTD Clete Blakeman 1 good Chris Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 28 2 2:24 Kansas St 3 1 FG 29 Mark Porter 3 28 2 0:00 Nebraska 7 88 RecTD Hendley Hawkins Clete Blakeman 40 good Chris Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 35 3 8:17 Nebraska 7 47 RushTD Micah Heibel 3 good Chris Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 42 3 0:41 Nebraska 10 83 RushTD Gerry Gdowski 10 good Chris Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 49 4 10:53 Nebraska 3 63 RushTD Tyreese Knox 50 good Chris Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 56 3 56 Missouri Nebraska at Missouri [box score] Nebraska Missouri 7 21 7 7 0 7 0 0 1987-10-31 Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri CST 55,594 The NCAA touchdown pass record from 1938 was tied by Nebraska for the second time in this season as the Cornhusker offense scored in all four quarters for the 4th game in a row, though the defense finally allowed their first touchdown in 15 quarters. Iowa State Iowa State at Nebraska [box score] Iowa State Nebraska 0 0 3 0 14 14 7 7 1987-11-07 Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska CST 76,001 The Cornhuskers locked up their 19th consecutive 9-win season while piling up 666 total yards of offense as they rocketed to a 28–0 halftime lead before coasting to another win. Oklahoma 1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team Nebraska–Oklahoma football rivalry Nebraska Cornhuskers 2; text-align:center collapsed #2 Oklahoma Sooners (10–0) at #1 Nebraska Cornhuskers (9–0) November 21 Oklahoma 0 0 14 3 Nebraska 7 0 0 0 Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska 76,663 Sunny CBS Brent Musburger and Pat Haden HuskerMax Oklahoma Charles Thompson2/9, 25 Yds Patrick Collins13 Rush, 131 Yds, TD Keith Jackson1 Rec, 21 Yds Nebraska Steve Taylorr6/18, 58 Yds, 3 INT Keith Jones15 Rush, 94 Yds, TD Richard Bell2 Rec, 18 Yds Billed as "Game of the Century II", this first-ever #1 vs. #2 matchup in Memorial Stadium brought a halt to the Cornhuskers' title hopes. Nebraska had taken away Oklahoma's #1 ranking before this game, and gave it back as the Cornhuskers struggled to move the ball after their first and only score. The Sooners went on to win their 4th straight Big 8 Championship. OU NEB collapsed 1 1:28 Nebraska 84 RushTD Jones 25 good Drennan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 3 12:48 Oklahoma 2 13 RushTD Stafford 11 good Lashar run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 7 3 1:39 Oklahoma RushTD Collins 65 good Lashar run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 7 4 7:40 Oklahoma FG 27 Lashar 17 7 17 7 Colorado Nebraska at Colorado [box score] Nebraska Colorado 0 10 7 7 0 0 7 0 1987-11-28 Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado CST 52,026 yes 2 13:54 NEB Steve Taylor 5-yard run (Chris Drennan kick) NEB 7–0 2 3:41 NEB Chris Drennan 50-yard field goal NEB 10–0 3 11:54 NEB Keith Jones 50-yard run (Chris Drennan kick) NEB 17–0 3 4:57 COL George Hemingway 4-yard pass from Mark Hatcher (David DeLine kick) NEB 17–7 4 9:34 NEB Keith Jones 44-yard run (Chris Drennan kick) NEB 24–7 yes Nebraska recovered from the Oklahoma loss and obtained their revenge for last year's loss to Colorado by taking out their frustrations on the Buffaloes in Boulder. Nebraska IB Keith Jones' 248 yards lifted him into a career 3rd-place ranking among Cornhusker runners. Florida State Florida State vs Nebraska [box score] Florida State Nebraska 0 21 3 7 14 0 14 0 1988-01-01 Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona CST 72,112 Nebraska lost after leading by 4 midway through the 4th. A Seminole defender stripped the ball from Nebraska IB Tyreese Knox as he ran in from the FSU 2, which set up a 97-yard FSU march for the winning touchdown with 3:07 left to play. Personnel Roster 1987 Nebraska Cornhuskers y Jeff Anderson 59 C SO Mark Antonietti 53 C J R.G. Arneson 58 OG SO Chip Bahe 81 SE SO Tom Banderas 87 TE S Vance Behrens 18 WB S Richard Bell 21 WB SO Clete Blakeman 12 QB S y Bill Bobbora 69 OT SO Dana Brinson 33 WB J y Bryan Carpenter 29 FB J Ken Clark 32 IB SO y Ken Clark (running back) Ray Coleman 1 IB J Doug Dalton 45 FB S Jerry Dunlap 14 QB SO Jim Ernest 77 OT J Roger Fitzke 52 C So Gerry Gdowski 4 QB SO Doug Glaser 75 OT SO Derrick Green 73 OT S Morgan Gregory 19 SE SO Mike Griffin 66 OG SO Hendley Hawkins 82 WB S Micah Heibel 48 FB S Jim Holscher 27 WB S Corey Bill Hudson 70 OT S Keith Jones y Keith "End Zone" Jones 6 IB S Andy Keeler 65 OG J Jon Kelley 40 IB S Kitrell Barry 36 FB S Tyreese Knox 34 IB J Monte Kratzenstein 85 TE SO Tom Lenneman 41 FB S Keven Lightner 57 OT S John McCormick 61 OG S Tim McCoy 83 SE SO Todd Millikan 43 TE J John Nelson 76 OG J Keith Neubert 86 TE S John Nichols 63 C S Chris O'Gara 54 OG SO Terry Rodgers 20 IB SO John Roschal 64 OG SO Sam Schmidt 25 FB SO Von Sheppard 2 WB S Bob Sledge 62 OT J Rod Smith 88 SE S John Strasheim 67 OG ERROR Steve Taylor 9 QB J y Steve Taylor (quarterback) Jamie Worden 31 WB J Jake Young 68 C SO Mark Blazek 23 S J Kurt Broer 81 OLB J Paul Brungardt 95 DT F Chris Caliendo 49 LB SO McCathorn Clayton 7 CB S Reggie Cooper 17 SS F Jon Crippen 16 CB F Mike Croel 88 OLB F y John Custard 28 CB J LeRoy Etienne 47 LB J y Brad Ferguson 51 LB SO Steve Forch 38 LB S Charles Fryar 10 CB J Willie Griffin 84 DT J Bob Hansen 36 LB SO Lorenzo Hicks 8 CB J Tim Jackson 4 S J y Tim Jackson (American football) Jeff Jamrog 80 DE S Randall Jobman 55 LB SO Lee Jones 98 DT S Tahaun Lewis 35 CB F Jeff Long 94 DT SO Jon Marco 93 DE J Dan McArdle 2 S SO Kurt McCallum 3 CB SO Jeff Mills 42 DE SO Mike Murray 74 MG SO Harlan Opie 90 DE S Tony Palmer 97 DT S Lawrence Pete 96 MG J y Sean Putnam 92 MG J John Richman 18 S SO Brad Rother 72 DT SO Tim Rother 78 DT S Marvin Sanders 26 S SO y Kurt Skradis 66 DT J Neil Smith 99 DT S y Neil Smith (American football) Steve Stanard 56 DE J Broderick Thomas 89 DE J y Jeff Tomjack 11 S S Ray Valladao 75 DT SO Scott Vampola 41 S SO Cartier Walker 27 CB J Kenny Walker 83 DE SO y Kenny Walker (American football) Brian Washington 5 S S y Kent Wells 91 MG SO y Doug Welniak 37 LB S Rick Wendland 1 S SO Dante Wiley 24 LB J Wendell Wooten 15 S J Gregg Barrios 44 PK SO Dave Cheloha 39 PK J Chris Drennan 16 PK SO John Kroeker 46 P J Craig Schnitzler 13 P/PK S http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=4&SPID=22&DB_OEM_ID=100&Q_SEASON=1987 2011-01-17 Tom Osborne   15th season   24th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Charlie McBride   7th season as DC/DL coach   11th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Colorado Ron Brown   1st season as WR/TE coach   1st year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Brown Dan Young   5th season as OL/K coach   5th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Reed Milt Tenopir   14th season as OL coach   14th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Sterling Tony Samuel   2nd season as OLB coach   2nd year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska George Darlington   DB coach   15th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Rutgers Frank Solich   5th season as RB coach   9th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Boyd Epley   19th season as S&C coach   19th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Nebraska Jack Pierce   9th year at Nebraska John Melton   15th season as LB coach   26th year at Nebraska   Alma mater: Wyoming Depth chart Pro-Set 3–4 Yes No Yes Steve Taylor Clete Blakeman Gerry Gdowski Keith Jones Tyreese Knox Ken Clark Jon Kelley Micah Heibel Bryan Carpenter Sam Schmidt Rod Smith Hendley Hawkins Morgan Gregory SE Dana Brinson Richard Bell Von Sheppard WB Todd Millikan Tom Banderas Keith Neubert Bob Sledge Derrick Green Corey B Hudson Andy Keeler John Nelson Mark Antonietti Jake Young John Nichols Jeff Anderson John McCormick John Roschal John Strasheim Kevin Lightner Doug Glaser Bill Bobbora Jeff Jamrog Jon Marco Jeff Mills OUTSIDE Leroy Etienne Randall Jobmon Brad Ferguson INSDIE Steve Forch Doug Welniak Chris Caliendo INSDIE Broderick Thomas Mike Croel Harlan Opie OUTSIDE Mark Blazek Tim Jackson Wendell Wooten Brian Washington Reggie Cooper Jeff Tomjack Charles Fryar Tahaun Lewis Marvin Sanders Lorenzo Hicks McCathorn Clayton Cartier Walker Jon Custard Tim Rother Lee Jones Brad Rother Lawrence Pete Mike Murray Kent Wells Neil Smith Ray Valladao Willie Griffin Chris Drennan John Kroeker 110 90 No Awards 1987 Husker Honors Award Name(s) All-America 1st team John McCormick, Neil Smith, Steve Taylor, Broderick Thomas All-Big 8 1st team LeRoy Etienne, Steve Forch, Keith Jones, Kevin Lightner, John McCormick, Tim Rother, Neil Smith, Steve Taylor, Broderick Thomas All-Big 8 2nd team Tom Banderas, Charles Fryar, Bob Sledge, Rod Smith, Jake Young All-Big 8 honorable mention Mark Blazek, Lee Jones NFL and pro players The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1987 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.All Time NFL Huskers Name Team Richard Bell Pittsburgh Steelers Dana Brinson San Diego Chargers Ken Clark Indianapolis Colts Reggie Cooper Dallas Cowboys Mike Croel Denver Broncos LeRoy Etienne San Francisco 49ers Tim Jackson Dallas Cowboys Keith Jones Cleveland Browns Jeff Mills San Diego Chargers Keith Neubert New York Jets John Nichols Salzburg Lions Lawrence Pete Detroit Lions Tim Rother Los Angeles Raiders Von Sheppard Coventry Jets Neil Smith Kansas City Chiefs Steve Taylor Edmonton Eskimos Broderick Thomas Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kenny Walker Denver Broncos Brian Washington Cleveland Browns Kent Wells New York Giants References Nebraska Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football seasons Nebraska Cornhuskers football