1987 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1987 Virginia Tech Hokies football Virginia Tech Hokies logo.svg 175 Independent 2–9 Frank Beamer 1st Multiple Ron Zook 1st 4–3 Lane Stadium The 1987 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as an independent during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first season under head coach Frank Beamer, the Hokies compiled a 2–9 record, scored 203 points, and allowed 300. Virginia Tech played its home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.1987 Virginia Tech football season statistics https://stats.hokiesports.com/football/season/1987/ September 26, 2026 Hokies Stats & Info Virginia Tech Athletics Virginia Tech lost its first three games to No. 10 Clemson, Virginia, and Syracuse. The Hokies defeated Navy, 31–11, on October 3 for Beamer's first victory at Virginia Tech, then lost six consecutive games before closing the season with a 21–20 win over Cincinnati. Freshman running back Jon Jeffries led the team with 599 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 125 carries. He also returned 22 kickoffs for 561 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown against Clemson. Quarterback Erik Chapman completed 119 of 231 passes for 1,340 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Tight end Steve Johnson had a team-high 38 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns, while Myron Richardson caught 28 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns. Placekicker Chris Kinzer led the team with 47 points, making 8 of 17 field-goal attempts and all 23 of his extra-point attempts. Defensive tackle Scott Hill led Virginia Tech with 177 tackles, six sacks, and seven tackles for loss. Inside linebacker Randy Cockrell recorded 133 tackles and returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown against Navy. Defensive back Carter Wiley had 126 tackles, and Greg Drew had 110 tackles, five tackles for loss, and one sack. Virginia Tech recorded 14 sacks and recovered 16 of its opponents' 32 fumbles during the season.Virginia Tech football defensive records https://stats.hokiesports.com/football/records/defense.html September 26, 2026 Hokies Stats & Info Virginia Tech AthleticsBrioso Cesar August 30, 1988 Inexperience, tough schedule among the Hokies' obstacles https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/08/30/inexperience-tough-schedule-among-the-hokies-obstacles/7bc8e949-ffb2-43f8-b7a3-5934fbf8dcd7/ September 26, 2026 The Washington Post The Beamer era begins Virginia Tech hired Frank Beamer before the 1987 season to replace Bill Dooley. Beamer had coached Murray State for six seasons from 1981 through 1986, compiling a 42–23–2 record and sharing the 1986 Ohio Valley Conference championship.January 8, 2018 Frank Beamer selected to College Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2018 https://hokiesports.com/news/2018/01/08/frank-beamer-selected-to-college-football-hall-of-fames-class-of-2018 September 26, 2026 Virginia Tech Athletics Dooley had gone 64–37–1 in nine seasons at Virginia Tech (including a forfeit to Temple).Virginia Tech football records: head coaches https://stats.hokiesports.com/football/records/coaches.html September 26, 2026 Hokies Stats & Info Virginia Tech Athletics Beamer's first Virginia Tech staff included defensive coordinator Ron Zook. Although the Hokies finished 2–9, all but two of their losses were by two touchdowns or less. Notably, Tech lost 14–13 at Virginia after a two-point conversion attempt failed with 1:24 remaining, and lost 14–7 at Kentucky after holding the Wildcats scoreless over the final three quarters. The Hokies were also tied 13–13 with third-ranked Miami entering the fourth quarter before losing 27–13.1987 Virginia Tech football season statistics https://stats.hokiesports.com/football/season/1987/ September 26, 2026 Hokies Stats & Info Virginia Tech Athletics Schedule 1987 AP Eastern September 12 1:00 p.m. l Clemson 10 Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 10-22 42,000 Frank Beamer's coaching debut was spoiled by No. 10 Clemson, as the Tigers dominated with 308 rushing yards and Wesley McFadden's 226-yard, 2-touchdown performance. Virginia Tech's only points came from Chris Kinzer's 48-yard field goal and Jon Jeffries' 92-yard kickoff return touchdown. 1987-09-13 Hokies' offense goes in Tigers' tank; Clemson spoils Beamer's coaching debut The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-hokies-offense-goes-i/196859701/ 2026-05-04 September 19 1:00 p.m. l y Virginia Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA rivalry 13–14 44,300 1987-09-20 Cavaliers stuff Hokies on 2-point try; Big play preserves Virginia victory over Virginia Tech The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-cavaliers-stuff-hokies/196893606/ 2026-05-04https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-virginia-nips-tech/140069456/ Greensboro News & Record Virginia nips Tech September 20, 1987 February 1, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 1:00 p.m. l Syracuse Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 21–35 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 1:00 p.m. w Navy Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 31–11 35,000 Tech lands first win for Beamer; Freshman Jeffries sparks ground attack in 31-11 Tech victory The Roanoke Times October 4, 1987 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-lands-first-win-f/196900094/ November 3, 2025 Newspapers.com October 10 1:30 p.m. l y South Carolina Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 10–40 73,150 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-ellis-passes-ga/140069922/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Ellis passes Gamecocks over Virginia Tech 40–10 October 11, 1987 February 1, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 1:00 p.m. l y East Carolina Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 23–32 38,300 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72738541/east-carolina-rally-spoils-hokie/ The News Leader East Carolina rally spoils Hokie homecoming, 32–23 October 18, 1987 February 7, 2022 Newspapers.com October 24 8:30 p.m. l y Tulane Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA 38–57 31,280 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94462853/tulane-crushes-hokies-5738/ Daily Press Tulane crushes Hokies, 57–38 October 25, 1987 February 7, 2022 Newspapers.com October 31 7:30 p.m. l y Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY 7–14 50,432 Hokies start late, lose 14–7 to Kentucky The Roanoke Times November 1, 1987 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-hokies-start-late-los/135013592/ November 3, 2025 Newspapers.com November 7 1:00 p.m. l y West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV rivalry 16–28 47,322 WVU douses Hokies' bid to pull upset; Tech hangs tough, loses again The Roanoke Times November 8, 1987 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-wvu-douses-hokies-bid/196899561/ November 3, 2025 Newspapers.com November 14 7:30 p.m. l y Miami (FL) 3 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL rivalry 13–27 40,105 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-miami-struggles-past-vpi-27/140070071/ Fort Myers News-Press Miami struggles past VPI, 27–13 November 15, 1987 February 1, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 1:00 p.m. w Cincinnati Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 21–20 10,600 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-virginia-tech-barely/140070255/ The Macon Telegraph & News Virginia Tech barely beats Cincinnati November 22, 1987 February 1, 2024 Newspapers.comSource:1987 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia-tech/1987.html Sports Reference November 3, 2025 Game Summaries No. 10 Clemson No. 10 Clemson 3 6 6 7 Virginia Tech 3 0 0 10 September 12 Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA 1:00 p.m. EST 2:40 42,000 Sunny, 75 F, Winds W 5 mph on yes 1 2 09:28 Clemson David Treadwell 27-yard field goal Clemson 3–0 01:14 VT Chris Kinzer 48-yard field goal Tied 3–3 2 2 10:31 Clemson David Treadwell 39-yard field goal Clemson 6–3 00:02 Clemson David Treadwell 31-yard field goal Clemson 9–3 3 1 12:54 Clemson Wesley McFadden 44-yard rush (kick failed) Clemson 15–3 4 2 10:18 Clemson Wesley McFadden 89-yard rush (David Treadwell kick) Clemson 22–3 10:05 VT Jon Jeffries 92-yard kickoff return (Chris Kinzer kick) Clemson 22–10 yes Box Score No. 10 Clemson defeated Virginia Tech 22–10 in Frank Beamer's coaching debut, as the Tigers' rushing attack and defensive pressure controlled the game from start to finish. Wesley McFadden carried 226 yards and two touchdowns on 60 rushing attempts that generated 308 yards on the ground. Michael Dean Perry led a defensive effort that sacked Erik Chapman seven times for 56 yards in losses, limiting Virginia Tech to just 60 total yards and six first downs. Virginia Tech's only moments of offense came in flashes. Chris Kinzer provided the first points of the Beamer era with a 48-yard field goal at the 1:14 mark of the first quarter, briefly knotting the score at 3–3. The Hokies' lone touchdown came when Jon Jeffries turned a kickoff into a 92-yard sprint down the sideline in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 22–10 with the extra point. Chapman completed just 6 of 17 passes for 37 yards and threw two interceptions in a performance that reflected the gap between a rebuilding program and a top-ten opponent. Victor Jones led the Virginia Tech defense with 16 tackles and two forced fumbles, and both Randy Cockrell and Greg Drew posted 14 stops apiece. Virginia Virginia Tech 0 7 0 6 Virginia 7 7 0 0 September 19 Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA 1:00 p.m. EST 2:42 44,300 Cloudy, 60 F, Variable wind yes 1 1 05:53 Virginia Keith Mattioli 29-yard pass from Scott Secules (Mark Inderlied kick) Virginia 7–0 2 2 13:48 Virginia Scott Secules 1-yard rush (Mark Inderlied kick) Virginia 14–0 02:35 VT Earnie Jones 3-yard rush (Chris Kinzer kick) Virginia 14–7 4 1 01:24 VT Steve Johnson 26-yard pass from Erik Chapman (2-point conversion failed) Virginia 14–13 yes Box Score Virginia's 14–13 victory in the Commonwealth Cup game turned on Virginia's early scoring and Virginia Tech's failed two-point conversion attempt in the final minute. The victory marked Virginia's 9th win in 10 games against the Hokies. Keith Mattioli opened the scoring with a 29-yard touchdown reception from Scott Secules at the 5:53 mark of the first quarter. Scott Secules extended Virginia's lead to 14–0 with a 1-yard touchdown run with 13:48 remaining in the second quarter. Earnie Jones cut the deficit to 14–7 with a 3-yard touchdown run with 2:35 remaining in the half. After a scoreless third quarter, Erik Chapman engineered a fourth-quarter drive and found Steve Johnson on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 1:24 remaining. Beamer opted for the win, declining the extra point and attempting a two-point conversion that would give Virginia Tech the lead, but the attempt failed, preserving Virginia's 14–13 victory. Chapman completed 13 of 26 passes for 187 yards, Jones contributed 60 rushing yards on 13 carries, and the Hokies converted 8 of 18 third-down attempts. The defense forced two turnovers and held Virginia to 197 passing yards from Secules. The loss came within a single play of a road win over a quality opponent in just the second game of the Beamer era. Syracuse Syracuse 0 7 14 14 Virginia Tech 14 7 0 0 September 26 Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA 1:00 p.m. EST 2:49 33,300 Clear, 72 F, Winds W 6 mph on yes 1 2 12:15 VT Steve Johnson 8-yard pass from Erik Chapman (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 7–0 09:52 VT Myron Richardson 9-yard pass from Erik Chapman (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 14–0 2 2 12:35 Syracuse Michael Owens 34-yard pass from Don McPherson (Tim Vesling kick) VT 14–7 09:41 VT Don Stokes 0-yard blocked punt return (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 21–7 3 2 06:59 Syracuse Chris Barnes 4-yard rush (Tim Vesling kick) Tied 21–21 01:16 Syracuse Tommy Kane 17-yard pass from Don McPherson (Tim Vesling kick) Syracuse 28–21 4 2 10:54 Syracuse Robert Drummond 51-yard rush (Tim Vesling kick) Syracuse 35–21 07:07 Syracuse Tommy Kane 11-yard pass from Don McPherson (Tim Vesling kick) Syracuse 35–21 yes Box Score Virginia Tech built a 21–7 halftime lead over Syracuse before the Orangemen — led by Don McPherson — scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to win 35–21 at Lane Stadium. Syracuse outgained Virginia Tech 442 to 213 yards for the game, with the Orangemen's rushing attack generating 256 yards compared to Virginia Tech's minus-1 yard on the ground. The first half belonged entirely to Virginia Tech. Steve Johnson caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Erik Chapman with 12:15 remaining in the first quarter, and Myron Richardson added a 9-yard touchdown reception with 9:52 left to give the Hokies a 14–0 lead. Michael Owens got Syracuse on the board with a 34-yard touchdown reception from McPherson with 12:35 remaining in the second quarter, but Don Stokes blocked a punt and returned it 0 yards for a touchdown with 9:41 left to extend Virginia Tech's lead to 21–7 at halftime. The second half was a different game entirely. Chris Barnes scored on a 4-yard run with 6:59 remaining in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 21–14, and Tommy Kane caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from McPherson with 1:16 left in the quarter to tie the game at 21–21. Robert Drummond broke the tie with a 51-yard touchdown run with 10:54 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Kane added an 11-yard touchdown reception with 7:07 left to cap the scoring. Chapman finished with 214 passing yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions, while Richardson led the receivers with five catches for 99 yards. Navy Navy 0 3 0 8 Virginia Tech 7 7 7 10 October 3 Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA 1:00 p.m. EST 2:28 35,000 Partly Cloudy, 70 F, Winds NNW 10 mph on yes 1 1 03:53 VT Sean Donnelly 10-yard rush (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 7–0 2 2 12:03 Navy Frank Schenk 20-yard field goal VT 7–3 03:33 VT Myron Richardson 9-yard pass from Erik Chapman (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 14–3 3 1 13:06 VT Jon Jeffries 56-yard rush (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 21–3 4 3 09:37 VT Chris Kinzer 39-yard field goal VT 24–3 03:08 VT Randy Cockrell 90-yard interception return (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 31–3 00:03 Navy Carl Jordan 8-yard pass from Alton Grizzard (2-point conversion failed) VT 31–11 yes Box Score Virginia Tech defeated Navy 31–11 at Lane Stadium for Frank Beamer's first victory as a college head coach. The Hokies scored on their first possession and never trailed. Sean Donnelly opened the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter. Frank Schenk got Navy on the board with a 20-yard field goal with 12:03 remaining in the second quarter, but Erik Chapman extended Virginia Tech's lead to 14–3 at halftime with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Myron Richardson with 3:33 left in the half. Jon Jeffries broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run with 13:06 remaining in the third quarter — the longest scrimmage play by any Hokie all season — to increase the margin to 21–3. Chris Kinzer added a 39-yard field goal with 9:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Randy Cockrell intercepted a Navy pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown with 3:08 left. Navy added a late touchdown when Carl Jordan caught an 8-yard pass from Alton Grizzard with 3 seconds remaining, but the 2-point conversion failed. Jeffries rushed 15 times for 128 yards and a touchdown, and the defense forced three Navy turnovers. South Carolina Virginia Tech 0 10 0 0 South Carolina 14 7 6 13 October 10 Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC 1:30 p.m. EST 2:45 73,150 Sunny, 80 F, Winds S 10 mph on yes 1 2 12:45 South Carolina Ryan Bethea 20-yard pass from Todd Ellis (Eric Markle kick) South Carolina 7–0 00:07 South Carolina Sterling Sharpe 3-yard rush (Eric Markle kick) South Carolina 14–0 2 2 09:21 VT Earnie Jones 4-yard rush (Chris Kinzer kick) South Carolina 14–7 03:51 South Carolina Sterling Sharpe 3-yard rush (Eric Markle kick) South Carolina 21–7 00:00 VT Chris Kinzer 19-yard field goal South Carolina 21–10 3 2 09:54 South Carolina Eric Markle 27-yard field goal South Carolina 24–10 02:03 South Carolina Eric Markle 22-yard field goal South Carolina 27–10 4 3 13:09 South Carolina Eric Markle 30-yard field goal South Carolina 30–10 10:30 South Carolina Sterling Sharpe 17-yard rush (Eric Markle kick) South Carolina 37–10 04:32 South Carolina Eric Markle 31-yard field goal South Carolina 40–10 yes Box Score Sterling Sharpe was the most dangerous player on the field at Williams-Brice Stadium, carrying the South Carolina rushing attack for three touchdowns while Todd Ellis took full advantage of a Hokie secondary that could not keep pace with the Gamecocks' balanced attack. South Carolina accumulated 502 total yards — 351 of them through the air — in front of 73,150 fans, and the margin was never genuinely in doubt after the game's opening quarter. Ryan Bethea opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown reception from Todd Ellis with 12:45 remaining in the first quarter, and Sterling Sharpe added a 3-yard touchdown run with 7 seconds left to make it 14–0. Earnie Jones finished a sustained second-quarter drive with a 4-yard touchdown run with 9:21 remaining to cut the deficit to 14–7, but Sharpe responded with another 3-yard touchdown run with 3:51 left in the half. Chris Kinzer connected on a 19-yard field goal as time expired at halftime to send the teams to the locker room at 21–10. The Hokie defense created its own opportunities — recovering three South Carolina fumbles — but could not translate the turnovers into points before the Gamecocks pulled decisively away in the second half with four field goals and another Sharpe touchdown. Chapman completed 16 of 31 passes for just 101 yards, was sacked three times, and threw two interceptions against a defense that smothered the Hokie passing game all afternoon. Jones led the offense with his 4-yard scoring run, and Steve Johnson caught seven passes for 30 yards as the Gamecocks dared Virginia Tech to throw short. South Carolina outgained the Hokies 502 to 187 yards — a gap that told the story of an afternoon in which the visitors were simply outmanned. East Carolina East Carolina 0 13 6 13 Virginia Tech 10 7 6 0 October 17 Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA 12:59 p.m. EST 2:47 38,300 Clear sunny, 58 F, Winds SW 5 mph on yes 1 2 09:25 VT Chris Kinzer 49-yard field goal VT 3–0 04:10 VT Myron Richardson 20-yard pass from Erik Chapman (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 10–0 2 4 14:16 East Carolina Travis Hunter 1-yard rush (Chuck Berleth kick) VT 10–7 08:23 VT Erik Chapman 1-yard rush (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 17–7 02:05 East Carolina Chuck Berleth 40-yard field goal VT 17–10 00:00 East Carolina Chuck Berleth 34-yard field goal Tied 17–17 3 2 11:36 East Carolina Travis Hunter 35-yard rush (Chuck Berleth kick failed) East Carolina 19–17 04:57 VT Karl Borden 10-yard pass from Erik Chapman (2-point conversion failed) East Carolina 19–23 4 2 09:21 East Carolina Travis Hunter 6-yard rush (Chuck Berleth kick failed) East Carolina 25–23 04:10 East Carolina Tim James 74-yard pass from Travis Hunter (Chuck Berleth kick) East Carolina 32–23 yes Box Score Virginia Tech's homecoming game against East Carolina was a contest the Hokies had controlled for three quarters before the Pirates scored twice in the final period to take a 32–23 victory at Lane Stadium. The offense generated 392 yards — one of its better outputs of the season — and the defense kept things competitive through the critical middle quarters. Virginia Tech scored on its first two possessions to build a 10–0 first-quarter lead. Chris Kinzer opened the scoring with a 49-yard field goal with 9:25 remaining, and Chapman followed with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Myron Richardson with 4:10 left in the quarter. Travis Hunter cut the deficit to 10–7 with a 1-yard touchdown run with 14:16 remaining in the second quarter, but Chapman extended Virginia Tech's lead to 17–7 with a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 8:23 left in the half. Chuck Berleth connected on field goals of 40 and 34 yards to cut Virginia Tech's lead to 17–17 at halftime. Hunter gave East Carolina its first lead with a 35-yard touchdown run with 11:36 remaining in the third quarter, but Chapman answered with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Karl Borden with 4:57 left in the quarter. The two-point conversion that followed was unsuccessful, keeping Virginia Tech ahead 23–19. The fourth quarter produced nothing for Virginia Tech. Hunter added a 6-yard touchdown run with 9:21 remaining, and Travis Hunter connected with Tim James on a 74-yard touchdown pass with 4:10 left to cap the scoring. Jon Jeffries had been the engine of the Hokie ground game all day, carrying 27 times for 129 yards, and Chapman completed 11 of 21 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The numbers were good enough to win most games — but East Carolina's offense, which had been moving the ball all afternoon, would not be stopped when it mattered most. Tulane Virginia Tech 0 7 10 21 Tulane 14 16 13 14 October 24 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA 7:30 p.m. EST 2:52 31,280 Indoors, 72 F, No wind yes 1 2 08:59 Tulane Marvin Allen 4-yard rush (Todd Wiggins kick) Tulane 7–0 08:39 Tulane Melvin Adams 4-yard rush (Todd Wiggins kick) Tulane 14–0 2 4 14:51 Tulane Marc Zeno 7-yard pass from Terrence Jones (Todd Wiggins kick) Tulane 21–0 09:34 Tulane Marvin Allen 4-yard rush (Todd Wiggins kick failed) Tulane 27–0 08:42 VT Steve Johnson 59-yard pass from Erik Chapman (Chris Kinzer kick) Tulane 27–7 00:15 Tulane Todd Wiggins 20-yard field goal Tulane 30–7 3 3 14:47 Tulane Michael Pierce 89-yard kickoff return (Todd Wiggins kick) Tulane 37–7 09:47 VT Chris Kinzer 32-yard field goal Tulane 37–10 09:25 Tulane Marvin Allen 76-yard pass from Terrence Jones (Todd Wiggins kick failed) Tulane 43–10 00:56 VT Myron Richardson 7-yard pass from Erik Chapman (Chris Kinzer kick) Tulane 43–17 4 6 13:55 Tulane Marvin Allen 1-yard rush (Todd Wiggins kick) Tulane 50–17 12:54 Tulane Jerome McIntosh 16-yard pass from Terrence Jones (Todd Wiggins kick) Tulane 57–17 10:16 VT Ralph Brown 6-yard rush (Chris Kinzer kick) Tulane 57–24 06:56 VT Lamar Smith 2-yard rush (Chris Kinzer kick) Tulane 57–31 00:00 VT Nick Cullen 15-yard pass from Chris Baucia (Chris Kinzer kick) Tulane 57–38 yes Box Score The highest-scoring game of Virginia Tech's 1987 season ended in a 57–38 defeat at the Louisiana Superdome, where Tulane's Terrence Jones threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns and the Green Wave used a second-half kickoff return to break the contest open. Virginia Tech trailed 30–7 at halftime and 43–17 as the third quarter wound down before mounting a spirited late rally that produced three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a losing cause. Tulane scored on its first two possessions with Marvin Allen and Melvin Adams each adding 4-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter. Marc Zeno caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jones with 14:51 remaining in the second quarter, and Allen added another 4-yard touchdown run with 9:34 left before Steve Johnson gave the Hokies their first points with a 59-yard touchdown reception from Chapman with 8:42 remaining in the half. Todd Wiggins connected on a 20-yard field goal as time expired to give Tulane a 30–7 halftime lead. Michael Pierce returned the second-half kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, but Chris Kinzer answered with a 32-yard field goal. Marvin Allen caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from Jones with 9:25 remaining in the third quarter, and Myron Richardson added a 7-yard touchdown reception from Chapman with 56 seconds left in the quarter to make it 43–17. When the fourth quarter arrived with the game seemingly out of reach, Virginia Tech refused to quit. Ralph Brown scored on a 6-yard run with 13:55 remaining, Lamar Smith added a 2-yard touchdown run with 6:56 left, and backup Chris Baucia hit Nick Cullen with a 15-yard scoring pass in relief of Chapman as time expired to close the final margin. Brown was the offensive catalyst with 110 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, and Johnson caught four passes for 95 yards and the first score. Virginia Tech's 456 yards of total offense was its highest output of the season, though Tulane matched with 480 of its own. The three fourth-quarter touchdowns — produced against a defense that had every reason to coast — said something about a team that, even in its worst moments, would not stop competing. Kentucky Virginia Tech 0 0 0 7 Kentucky 14 0 0 0 October 31 Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, KY 7:30 p.m. EST 2:35 50,432 Clear skies, 69 F, Winds SE 5 mph on yes 1 2 12:11 Kentucky Jimmie O'Neal 14-yard pass from Kevin Dooley (Joey Worley kick) Kentucky 7–0 10:03 Kentucky Mark Higgs 52-yard rush (Joey Worley kick) Kentucky 14–0 4 1 01:45 VT Earnie Jones 2-yard pass from Erik Chapman (Chris Kinzer Kick) Kentucky 14–7 yes Box Score Virginia Tech played arguably its most complete defensive game of the season at Commonwealth Stadium, holding the Wildcats scoreless for three and a half quarters after surrendering two touchdowns in the game's opening four minutes. Kevin Dooley hit Jimmie O'Neal with a 14-yard touchdown pass with 12:11 remaining in the first quarter, and Mark Higgs burst through the right side of the Hokie line for a 52-yard scoring run with 10:03 left to put Kentucky ahead 14–0, and that was all the cushion the Wildcats needed. The Virginia Tech defense held Kentucky scoreless after the first quarter. Three sacks, a Roger Brown interception, and pressure on third downs — the Wildcats converted just 1 of 13 third-down attempts for the game — gave the offense opportunities to cut into the lead. Chapman was sacked seven times for 60 yards in losses and completed 15 of 33 passes for 130 yards as Kentucky's front seven controlled the line of scrimmage. Virginia Tech's lone score came at the 1:45 mark of the fourth quarter when Chapman hit Earnie Jones with a 2-yard touchdown pass, and Chris Kinzer's extra point cut the margin to 14–7. The Hokies could not regain possession before time expired. Scott Hill led the defense with 12 tackles, Greg Drew added 11 and forced a fumble, and Nate Bradley recorded a sack. West Virginia Virginia Tech 3 7 0 6 West Virginia 7 0 7 14 November 7 Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV 1:00 p.m. EST 2:43 47,322 Cool and smoky, 53 F, Winds SSW 11 mph on yes 1 2 10:55 VT Chris Kinzer 45-yard field goal VT 3–0 03:09 WVU Harvey Smith 13-yard pass from Major Harris (Charlie Baumann kick) WVU 7–3 2 1 05:50 VT Brian McCall 4-yard pass from Erik Chapman (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 10–7 3 1 05:11 WVU Craig Taylor 1-yard rush (Charlie Baumann kick) WVU 14–10 4 3 13:59 WVU Anthony Brown 2-yard rush (Charlie Baumann kick) WVU 21–10 06:46 VT Erik Chapman 40-yard rush (Erik Chapman pass failed) WVU 21–16 03:22 WVU Eugene Napoleon 4-yard rush (Charlie Baumann kick) WVU 28–16 yes Box Score Forest fires burning in the hills above Morgantown had reduced visibility to three-quarters of a mile and filled the air with smoke by the time Virginia Tech and West Virginia kicked off on November 7, giving the afternoon an atmosphere as unsettling as the game itself. A. B. Brown gave the Mountaineers an overwhelming ground presence, carrying 30 times for 169 yards and a touchdown as West Virginia controlled the trenches and won 28–16. Chris Kinzer put Virginia Tech on the board first with a 45-yard field goal at the 10:55 mark of the first quarter. The Hokies reclaimed the lead in the second quarter when Chapman directed a seven-play, 30-yard drive and found tight end Brian McCall with a 4-yard touchdown pass to push the score to 10–7 at halftime. Virginia Tech's defense was generating havoc throughout — forcing six West Virginia fumbles and recovering four, a season high — but the offense could not convert the turnovers into enough points to overcome Brown's relentless production. Trailing 21–10 in the fourth quarter, Chapman delivered the most electric play of his season, breaking contain on a scramble and racing 40 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 21–16. The two-point conversion pass failed, West Virginia answered with a Eugene Napoleonscoring run, and the Hokies' final drive came up short. Randy Cockrell finished with a season-high 24 tackles — the most by any Hokie in a single game all year — and Scott Hill added 19 stops and a sack in a defensive performance that hinted at what this unit might grow into. No. 3 Miami (FL) Virginia Tech 0 10 3 0 No. 3 Miami (FL) 3 7 3 14 November 14 Orange Bowl, Miami, FL 7:30 p.m. EST 2:30 40,105 Mostly cloudy, 77 F, Winds E 15 mph on yes 1 1 01:44 UM Greg Cox 26-yard field goal UM 3–0 2 3 07:13 VT Nick Cullen 24-yard pass from Jon Jeffries (Chris Kinzer kick) VT 7–3 04:15 UM Michael Irvin 18-yard pass from Steve Walsh (Greg Cox kick) UM 10–7 00:00 VT Chris Kinzer 31-yard field goal Tied 10–10 3 2 06:09 UM Greg Cox 41-yard field goal UM 13–10 01:40 VT Chris Kinzer 33-yard field goal Tied 13–13 4 2 04:51 UM Melvin Bratton 1-yard rush (Greg Cox kick) UM 20–13 00:34 UM A. Roberts 2-yard pass from Steve Walsh (Greg Cox kick) UM 27–13 yes Box Score No. 3 Miami came to the Orange Bowl on November 14 with an 8–0 record and a defense loaded with future NFL players, and Virginia Tech came within one quarter of pulling the upset of the year. The Hokies entered the fourth quarter tied 13–13 with the Hurricanes, holding the ball for more than 33 minutes on the night and committing not a single turnover against a defense that had dismantled every opponent it had faced. The Hokies trailed 3–0 after the first quarter before Jon Jeffries took a direct snap at the 7:13 mark of the second quarter and threw a 24-yard halfback pass to Nick Cullen in the end zone to give Virginia Tech a 7–3 lead. Michael Irvin's 18-yard touchdown catch from Steve Walsh put Miami back in front 10–7, but Chapman drove the Hokies 64 yards on 11 plays and Kinzer split the uprights from 31 yards as time expired in the half to send the teams to the locker room knotted at 10–10. The third quarter belonged to the kickers: Greg Cox (American football) connected from 41 yards for Miami, and Kinzer answered at the 1:40 mark with a 33-yarder of his own to restore the tie at 13–13. Miami scored twice in the fourth period with touchdowns by Melvin Bratton and Warren Williams for a 27–13 final. Carter Wiley led Virginia Tech with 15 tackles, Scott Hill added 11, and Chapman completed 12 of 19 passes for 130 yards despite three sacks from a Miami front anchored by Greg Mark and George Mira Jr.. Cincinnati Cincinnati 0 0 0 20 Virginia Tech 7 7 0 7 November 21 Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA 1:00 p.m. EST 2:44 10,600 Sunny & cold, 25 F, Winds NNW 20 mph on yes 1 1 08:11 VT Sean Donnelly 37-yard rush (Chris Kinzer Kick) VT 7–0 2 1 11:45 VT Jon Jeffries 3-yard rush (Chris Kinzer Kick) VT 14–0 4 5 13:16 Cincinnati Al McKinney 1-yard rush (Phil Insalaco Kick) VT 14–7 11:45 VT Jon Jeffries 42-yard rush (Chris Kinzer Kick) VT 21–7 07:21 Cincinnati Roosevelt Mukes 18-yard pass from Danny McCoin (Phil Insalaco Kick) VT 21–14 03:27 Cincinnati Al McKinney 2-yard rush (Danny McCoin Pass Failed) VT 21–20 yes Box Score Virginia Tech closed the 1987 season with a 21–20 victory over Cincinnati on November 21 at Lane Stadium that they almost lost. Only 10,600 fans came to the game in the 25-degree weather Sean Donnelly scored on a 37-yard touchdown run with 8:11 remaining in the first quarter, capping a 6-play, 61-yard opening drive. Jon Jeffries extended the lead to 14–0 in the second quarter with a 3-yard scoring run with 11:45 remaining in the half. The Hokies missed a field goal attempt before halftime but maintained a two-score lead through three quarters. Cincinnati finally broke through with 13:16 remaining in the fourth quarter when Al McKinney scored on a 1-yard run to cut the deficit to 14–7. Jeffries answered with a 42-yard touchdown burst with 11:45 left to push the lead back to 21–7, but Roosevelt Mukescaught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Danny McCoin with 7:21 remaining to make it 21–14. McKinney added a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:27 left, but the two-point conversion pass failed, preserving Virginia Tech's 21–20 victory. Jeffries carried 24 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense blocked a Bearcat field goal attempt in the third quarter. Roster 1987 Virginia Tech Hokies f 14 Fr Chris Baucia QB 31 Fr Tim Balley WR 81 So Ken Barefoot TE 11 Jr Malcolm Blacken RB 57 Fr William Boatwright OL 20 Fr Karl Borden WR 65 Jr Nate Bradley OL 77 Fr Mark Briscoe OL 3 Fr Ralph Brown RB 30 Fr George Bruce FB 16 Sr Erik Chapman QB 69 Fr Eugene Chung OL y 45 Fr Carl Coles RB 75 So Bill Cox OL 59 So Bob Cromwell OL 48 Fr Nick Cullen WR 73 So Ernie Davis OL 25 So Danny Eddy WR 46 Sr David Everett WR 61 Sr John FitzHugh OL 43 So Rich Fox FB 2 Fr Will Furrer QB 58 Sr Rodney Good OL 70 Jr Todd Grantham OL 56 Jr Steve Hale OL 60 So Tom Hall OL 52 So Chris Henderson OL 88 Fr Darwin Herdman LB 63 Fr Kenny Jefferson OL 27 Fr Jon Jeffries WR 66 Jr Stacy Johnson OL 87 Sr Steve Johnson Steve Johnson (tight end) TE y 49 Sr Earnie Jones FB 51 Sr Kevin Keeffe OL 47 So George Moore FB 24 Fr Taron Page WR 72 So Larry Peery OL 82 So Shawn Prather WR 22 So Myron Richardson WR 1 Jr Jeff Roberts WR 89 Fr Richard Saunders TE 28 Fr Lamar Smith RB 94 Sr Rodney Varney TE 55 Fr Rob Vaughan OL 1 Fr John Viise WR 53 Fr Glenn Watts OL 41 Sr Jamel Agemy LB 44 So Leslie Bailey LB 97 Fr Bill Balley DB 31 Fr Tim Boitnott LB 6 So Roger Brown DB 50 Fr Todd Brown LB 97 Fr Al Chamblee DL 39 So Randy Cockrell LB 3 So Ashley Cockrell DB 67 So Bo Cothran DL 91 Sr Greg Drew LB 23 So Mitch Dove DB 19 So Will Gowin DB 35 Fr John Granby DB 85 Fr Shon Grantz LB 88 Fr Darwin Herdman LB 66 So Scott Hill DL 40 So Jock Jones LB 34 Sr Victor Jones LB 92 Jr Randolph Kidd LB 95 Jr Joe Ledbetter DL 21 Jr Sleve Mitchem LB 13 Sr Billy Myers DB 37 Sr Eddie Neel LB 17 Sr Joe Perry DB 38 So Scott Rice DB 32 So Don Stokes LB 98 Jr Chuck Watson DL 42 Sr Lawrence White LB 96 Fr Jimmy Whitten DL 74 Sr Al Wiley DL 36 Sr Carter Wiley DB 29 Jr Jeff Williams DB 83 Fr Rich Williams DL 9 Jr Sandy Bowen K 8 Fr Stephen Grabeel P 4 Jr Chris Kinzer K 12 Sr Tony Romero P https://hokiesports.com/sports/football/season/1987 *Frank Beamer Ron Zook(Defensive coordinator) Awards and honors All-Conference selections Scott Hill – First Team All-Independent (Linebacker) Randy Cockrell – Second Team All-Independent (Defensive Back) NFL Draft The following Hokies were selected in the 1988 NFL Draft: Round Pick Player Position Team 8 203 Steve Johnson Tight End Miami Dolphins Undrafted free agents: Scott Hill – Linebacker – Various teams References Virginia Tech Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football seasons Virginia Tech Hokies football