1987 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1987 Ohio State Buckeyes football Ohio State Buckeyes logo 1987-1991.png 150 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 6–4–1 4–4 Earle Bruce 9th Gary Blackney 3rd Chris Spielman Chris Spielman William White Vince Workman Ohio Stadium The 1987 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented the Ohio State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their ninth and final year under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes compiled a 6–4–1 record (4–4 in conference games), finished in fifth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 224 to 181. They did not appear in a bowl game for the first time since 1971 and were unranked in the final AP poll.1987 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 3, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1987-schedule.html The Buckeyes gained an average of 151.6 rushing yards and 174.2 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to 144.4 rushing yards and 171.1 passing yards per game.1987 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 3, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1987.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Tom Tupa (1,786 passing yards, 55.4% completion percentage), running back Vince Workman (470 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per carry), and wide receiver Everett Ross (29 receptions for 585 yards). Tupa (as punter) and linebacker Chris Spielman were consensus first-team All-Americans.Football Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2016 March 18, 2017 3, 13 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/Awards.pdf Four Ohio State players received first-team honors on the 1987 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Spielman (AP/UPI); linebacker/defensive end Eric Kumerow; defensive back William White (AP/UPI); and Tupa as punter (AP).Morris, White All-Big Ten Running Backs The Argus-Press November 25, 1987 11 https://books.google.com/books?id=3AooAAAAIBAJ&dq=All-Big+Ten+Conference+football+team&pg=PA6&article_id=1331,2140886All Big-Ten Football Team The Daily Iowan November 24, 1987 8 http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1987/di1987-11-24.pdf The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Schedule 1987 AP Eastern September 12 12:30 p.m. w y 5 West Virginia Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH RCM 24–3 88,272 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-bucks-maul-mountaineer/140067831/ Dayton Daily News Bucks maul Mountaineers September 13, 1987 February 1, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19 1:30 p.m. w y 5 Oregon Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 24–14 89,882 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-advocate-bucks-topple-ducks/172259533/ The Newark Advocate Bucks topple Ducks September 20, 1987 May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com September 26 1:30 p.m. t y y 7 LSU 4 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA CBS 13–13 79,263 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marion-star-bucks-second-half-lifts/135005804/ The Marion Star Bucks' second half lifts them to 13–13 tie at LSU September 27, 1987 November 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 3 3:30 p.m. w y 9 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck ABC 10–6 73,045 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-ohio-state-halts-immin/172397594/ Herald and Review Ohio State halts Illini drive October 4, 1987 May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 10 1:30 p.m. l 9 Indiana Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 10–31 90,032 https://www.newspapers.com/article/troy-daily-news-darkest-day-indiana-han/172399606/ Troy Daily News Darkest day; Indiana hands Buckeyes 31–10 defeat October 11, 1987 May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 17 3:30 p.m. w y 17 Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN RCM 20–17 66,501 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-field-goal-lifts-osu-over-p/172398326/ Star Tribune Field goal lifts OSU over Purdue October 18, 1987 May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 24 3:30 p.m. w 16 Minnesota Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH RCM 42–9 89,801 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marion-star-ohio-state-snows-gophe/172399059/ The Marion Star Ohio State 'Snow's Gophers 42–9 October 25, 1987 May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 31 3:30 p.m. l 15 Michigan State 20 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC 7–13 89,915 Michigan State crushes Ohio State: Spartans take lead in Big Ten The Plain Dealer Elton Alexander November 1, 1987 1D, 4D https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-michigan-state-crushes/167448868/ Newspapers.com November 7 2:00 p.m. l y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 24–26 63,195 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times-jubilant-badgers-feeli/172396517/ The Journal Times Jubilant Badgers feeling no pain November 8, 1987 May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 14 1:30 p.m. l Iowa Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 27–29 90,090 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-iowas-big-play-dumps/172399769/ Dayton Daily News Iowa's big play dumps Bucks November 15, 1987 May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 21 12:00 p.m. w y Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry ABC 23–20 106,031 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-fired-bruce-dep/172399861/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Fired Bruce departs with a victory November 22, 1987 May 14, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries West Virginia West Virginia 0 0 3 0 Ohio St 17 0 0 7 September 12 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH 88,272 yes Q1 OHST Frantz 47 yard field goal OHST 3–0 Q1 OHST Bryant 7 yard run (Frantz kick) OHST 10–0 Q1 OHST Ross 23 yard pass from Tupa (Frantz kick) OHST 17–0 Q3 WVU Baumann 27 yard field goal OHST 17–3 Q4 OHST White 29 yard interception return (Frantz kick) OHST 24–3 yes Gainesville Sun. 1987 Sept 13. Oregon 1987 Oregon Ducks football team Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Oregon Ducks at Ohio State Buckeyes September 19, 1987 1:30 p.m. Oregon 0 0 0 14 Ohio St 0 3 14 7 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 89,882 Sunny, 74 F C Jerry Hendrickson Second quarter OSU – Matt Frantz 34-yard field goal, 8:01. Ohio St 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 4:04. Third quarter OSU – Jay Koch 4-yard pass from Tom Tupa (Matt Frantz kick), 4:29. Ohio St 10–0. Drive: 14 plays, 88 yards, 6:23. OSU – George Cooper 19-yard pass from Tom Tupa (Matt Frantz kick), 3:15. Ohio St 17–0. Drive: 1 play, 19 yards, 0:09. Fourth quarterORE – Joe Meerten 8-yard pass from Bill Musgrave (Kirk Dennis kick), 6:40. Ohio St 17–7. Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:13.OSU – Vince Workman 5-yard run (Matt Frantz kick), 3:17. Ohio St 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:23.ORE – Rod Green 7-yard pass from Bill Musgrave (Kirk Dennis kick), 1:47. Ohio St 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 1:23.''''' Top passers ORE – Bill Musgrave – 18/27, 205 yards, 2 TD OSU – Tom Tupa – 20/32, 234 yards, 2 TD Top rushers ORE – Latin Berry – 18 rushes, 33 yards OSU – Vince Workman – 27 rushes, 162 yards, TD Top receivers ORE – Terry Obee – 4 receptions, 63 yards OSU – Vince Workman – 5 receptions, 63 yards LSU Ohio St 3 0 3 7 LSU 7 3 0 3 September 26 Tiger Stadium Illinois Ohio St 7 3 0 0 Illinois 0 0 0 6 October 3 Memorial Stadium Indiana Indiana 7 3 7 14 Ohio St 0 10 0 0 October 10 Ohio Stadium At Purdue Ohio State Buckeyes white 2; text-align:center collapsed #17 Ohio State Buckeyes (3–1–1) at Purdue Boilermakers (1–3–1) October 17, 1987 3:30 p.m. EDT Ohio St 7 10 0 3 Purdue 0 0 10 7 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana 66,501 Overcast, 53 F C John Nealon Raycom left Ohio State Buckeyes Ohio St Purdue Boilermakers Purdue Tom Tupa 8/16, 174 Yds, TD James Bryant 23 Rush, 77 Yds Vince Workman 4 Rec, 88 Yds, TD Doug Downing 20/26, 218 Yds, 2 TD, INT James Medlock 17 Rush, 44 Yds Calvin Williams 8 Rec, 107 Yds, 2 TD OSU PU collapsed 1 5:30 Ohio St 9 66 4:10 RecTD Vince Workman Tom Tupa 36 good Matt Frantz run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 2 4:45 Ohio St 2 9 0:42 RushTD Tom Tupa 6 good Matt Frantz run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 0 2 0:22 Ohio St 8 47 1:25 FG 18 Matt Frantz 17 0 3 6:33 Purdue 13 65 6:44 FG 25 Jonathan Briggs 17 3 3 1:00 Purdue 7 74 1:32 RecTD Calvin Williams Doug Downing 10 good Jonathan Briggs run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 10 4 13:09 Purdue 3 38 0:57 RecTD Calvin Williams Doug Downing 30 good Jonathan Briggs run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 17 4 3:10 Ohio St 6 35 3:13 FG 50 Matt Frantz 20 17 20 17 Minnesota Minnesota 0 9 0 0 Ohio St 7 7 14 14 October 24 Ohio Stadium Michigan State 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Michigan State Spartans at Ohio State Buckeyes October 31, 1987 3:30 p.m. Michigan St 10 3 0 0 Ohio St 7 0 0 0 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 89,915 Sunny, 60 F C Ron Winter ABC First quarter OSU – Everett Ross 79-yard pass from Tom Tupa (Matt Frantz kick), 14:45. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 79 yards, 0:11.MSU – Bobby McAllister 15-yard run (John Langeloh kick), 4:37. Tie 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 54 yards, 0:50. MSU – John Langeloh 40-yard field goal, 1:22. Michigan St 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 13 yards, 1:48.Second quarter''' MSU – John Langeloh 20-yard field goal, 10:41. Michigan St 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 4:10.'' Top passers MSU – Bobby McAllister – 4/12, 61 yards OSU – Tom Tupa – 8/15, 137 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers MSU – Bobby McAllister – 22 rushes, 83 yards, TD OSU – Carlos Snow – 8 rushes, 18 yards Top receivers MSU – Lorenzo White – 2 receptions, 21 yards OSU – Alex Higdon – 6 receptions, 54 yards Wisconsin Ohio St 14 10 0 0 Wisconsin 7 6 10 3 November 7 Camp Randall Stadium Iowa Iowa 3 12 0 14 Ohio St 7 7 7 6 November 14 Ohio Stadium 1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football team Michigan 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry Ohio State Buckeyes 2; text-align:center collapsed Ohio State Buckeyes (5–4–1) at Michigan Wolverines November 21, 1987 12:00 p.m. Ohio St 0 7 13 3 Michigan 7 6 7 0 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan 106,031 Cloudy, low 30s ABC First quarter MICH – Jamie Morris 1-yard run (Mike Gillette kick), 10:02. Michigan 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:43. Second quarter MICH – Mike Gillette 34-yard field goal, 14:57. Michigan 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 4:13. MICH – Mike Gillette 19-yard field goal, 7:05. Michigan 13–0. Drive: 13 plays, 53 yards, 5:49. OSU – Everett Ross 61-yard pass from Tom Tupa (Matt Frantz kick), 1:36. Michigan 13–7. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 4:08. Third quarter OSU – Carlos Snow 70-yard pass from Tom Tupa (Matt Frantz kick), 12:32. Ohio St 14–13. Drive: 1 play, 70 yards, 0:12. OSU – Tom Tupa 1-yard run (kick failed), 7:11. Ohio St 20–13. Drive: 3 plays, 19 yards, 1:05. MICH – Leroy Hoard 10-yard run (Mike Gillette kick), 1:14. Tie 20–20. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:00. Fourth quarter OSU – Matt Frantz 26-yard field goal, 5:18. Ohio St 23–20. Drive: 15 plays, 77 yards. Top passers OSU – Tom Tupa – 18/26, 219 yards, 2 TD MICH – Demetrius Brown – 5/13, 79 yards, INT Top rushers OSU – Carlos Snow – 21 rushes, 67 yards MICH – Jamie Morris – 23 rushes, 130 yards, TD Top receivers OSU – Carlos Snow – 3 receptions, 82 yards, TD MICH – Jerod Bunch – 1 reception, 39 yards Earle Bruce's final game as Ohio State head coach."Ohio State sends Bruce out a winner." Gainesville Sun. 1987 Nov 22. Roster 1987 Ohio State Buckeyes y 76 Fr Dan Beatty C y 38 Fr Chris Boddie FB y 72 Sr Henry Brown OT 41 So James Bryant RB 16 Fr Mike Chancey QB y 18 Jr Gary Clift SE y 66 So Karl Coles OG y 44 Sr George Cooper FB 22 Fr Tony Cupe SE y 50 So Jeff Davidson OG 77 Jr Jim Davidson C y 80 Fr Bernard Edwards SE 89 Fr Jeff Ellis TE 32 So Tony Fenstermaker FL 70 So Steve France OT y 15 Fr Greg Frey QB y y 35 Fr Jim Graham RB 33 Sr Steve Gresock FB 65 Fr Erik Grimm OG y 62 Sr John Grubb C 26 Sr Nate Harris FL 39 Fr Tyrone Harrison FB 88 Sr Alex Higdon TE y 60 Fr Dan Hirneise C y 83 Jr Frank Hoak TE y 71 Fr Mike Huddleston OT 87 Fr Rich Huffman TE y 82 Fr Jay Koch TE 73 Fr Jeff Kuczek OG y 86 Fr Gary Lickovitch TE y 53 Fr Paul Long OG 95 So Matt Manifold TE 11 Jr Bill Matlock FB 52 Jr Tom Moore C 74 So Tim Moxley OT y 63 Fr Roy Nichols OT 85 So Jim Palmer TE y 75 Fr John Peterson OT y 1 Fr Lance Price RB y 5 Jr Everett Ross FL 55 Jr Tom Scholl C 69 Sr Jay Shaffer OT 78 Fr Mike Shoaf OT 4 Fr Wes Siegenthaler SE y 25 Fr Carlos Snow RB y 28 Fr John Spencer RB 79 So Joe Staysniak OT y 19 Sr Tom Tupa QB P y C 68 Jr Jeff Uhlenhake C y y 61 Fr Ken Voll C y 17 Fr John Wagoner QB y 42 Jr Vince Workman RB FL y 51 Jr Greg Zackeroff OL y 96 So Srecko Zizakovic TE y 32 Jr Tom Anderzack OLB y 3 Jr Sean Bell ROV y 91 Fr Brian Benio LB y 27 So David Brown S y 19 Sr Joe Canestraro CB 7 Fr Vincent Clark DB 59 Fr Matthew Closson OLB 92 Fr Ken Coleman DT y 56 So Orlando Craig LB 21 So Zack Dumas CB 49 Fr Andrew Gurd LB 55 Sr Ray Holliman DT 30 So Dedrick Howard OLB y 10 Jr Derek Isaman LB 47 Sr Ray Jackson ROV 95 Fr John Kacherski NG 62 So Charles Keenan LB y 14 Sr Eric Kumerow OLB y 81 Fr Tom Lease OLB 93 Jr Derek MacCready DT 99 Jr Michael McCray OLB y 97 Fr Tony Moore DT y 46 Fr Jim Peel ROV y 48 Fr Mark Pelini S y 13 Jr Scott Powell OLB y 90 Sr Fred Ridder LB 43 So Ceroy Robinson CB 29 Sr Greg Rogan CB 24 Fr Tim Rutledge DB 98 So Mike Showalter DT 36 Sr Chris Spielman LB C y 57 Jr John Sullivan LB 67 Jr Mike Sullivan NG 54 So Pat Thomas NG y 26 Sr Brian Tuffin CB 37 Sr William White CB y William White (American football) C 12 Sr Matt Frantz K 9 Sr Mike Morton K 6 So Pat O'Morrow K 8 Fr Mark Smith K QB http://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/1987_Roster.pdf Earle Bruce Gary Blackney – Defensive Coordinator (4th year) Bill Conley – Inside Linebackers (4th year) Steve Devine – Offensive Line – Guards, Centers (5th year) Randy Hart – Defensive Line (6th year) Chuck Heater – Defensive Backs (3rd year) Tom Lichtenberg – Quarterbacks, Receivers (2nd year) Bob Palcic – Offensive Line – Tackles, Tight Ends (2nd year) Fred Pagac – Outside Linebackers (10th year) Leonard Willis – Running Backs (3rd year) 1988 NFL draftees 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Player Round Pick Position NFL club Eric Kumerow 1 16 Defensive End Miami Dolphins Chris Spielman 2 29 Linebacker Detroit Lions Alex Higdon 3 56 Tight End Atlanta Falcons Tom Tupa 3 68 Quarterback Phoenix Cardinals William White 4 85 Defensive Back Detroit Lions George Cooper 6 156 Running Back Miami Dolphins Ray Jackson 7 185 Defensive Back Seattle Seahawks Henry Brown 10 277 Tackle Washington Redskins 1988 NFL Draft Listing https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/draft.htm 2024-12-11 Pro-Football-Reference.com en References Ohio State Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football seasons Ohio State Buckeyes football