1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

American college football season May 2020 January 2026 1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Independent 17 8–4 Lou Holtz 2nd Wishbone triple option Foge Fazio 2nd 4–3 Tim Brown Chuck Lanza Byron Spruell Notre Dame Stadium Cotton Bowl Classic L Lost 10–35 vs. Texas A&M The 1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second year under head coach Lou Holtz, the Irish compiled an 8–4 record, outscored opponents by a total of 329 to 183, and were ranked No. 17 in the final AP poll. They opened the season with victories over No. 9 Michigan and No. 17 Michigan State, were ranked as high as No. 4, and lost the last three games of the season to unranked Penn State, No. 2 Miami (FL), and in the Cotton Bowl to No. 13 Texas A&M.1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1987-schedule.html Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 25, 20261987 Football Review The Notre Dame Scholastic January 28, 1988 https://archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1987s.pdf Notre Dame Archives Wide receiver and return specialist Tim Brown tallied 1,843 all-purpose yards (including 846 receiving and 857 on kickoff and punt returns), won the Heisman Trophy, and was a consensus first-team pick on the 1987 All-America college football team.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 Center Chuck Lanza also received first-team All-America honors from Football News and the NEA. Linebacker Ned Bolcar was named the CBS/Chevrolet Defensive Player of the Year.1987 Football Review, p. 56. The team's other statistical leaders during the regular season included quarterbacks Tony Rice (663 passing yards, 104.9 passer rating) and Terry Andrysiak (480 passing yards, 122.3 passer rating), running back Mark Green (861 rushing yards), kicker Tim Gradel (75 points scored, 33 of 33 PAT, 14 of 18 field goals), and Bolcar (106 tackles).1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1987.html Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 26, 20261987 Football Review, p. 59. The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Schedule 1987 AP Eastern September 12 3:30 p.m. w y 16 Michigan 9 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry ABC 26–7 106,098 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-notre-dame-stun/172086174/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Notre Dame stuns Wolverines 26–7 September 13, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com September 19 7:45 p.m. w 9 Michigan State 17 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry ESPN 31–8 59,075 Brown gives Irish happy returns The South Bend Tribune Bill Bilinski September 20, 1987 D1, D5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-brown-gives-irish/167428247/ Newspapers.com September 26 12:00 p.m. w y 8 Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry 44–20 68,528 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republic-irish-shoot-down-boilers/172086239/ The Republic Irish shoot down Boilers September 27, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com October 10 7:00 p.m. l y 4 Pittsburgh Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA rivalry ESPN 22–30 56,400 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-genilla-heyward-lead-p/172086306/ St. Petersburg Times Genilla, Heyward lead Pitt to 30–22 upset of Irish October 11, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com October 17 3:30 p.m. w y 11 Air Force Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO rivalry 35–14 51,112 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-notre-dame-drops-bomb/172086391/ The Kokomo Tribune Notre Dame drops bomb on Air Force October 18, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com October 24 2:30 p.m. w 10 USC Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry CBS 26–15 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-world-notre-dame-runs-past-usc-in/172086451/ Daily World Notre Dame runs past USC in 26–15 win October 25, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com October 31 12:00 p.m. w 9 Navy Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 56–13 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-same-song-24th/171996325/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Same song, 24th verse: Notre Dame wallops Navy, 56–13 November 1, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com November 7 12:00 p.m. w 9 Boston College Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN Holy War 32–25 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-return-to-run-propel/172083925/ The Courier-Journal Return to run propels Irish to 32–25 win November 8, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com November 14 2:30 p.m. w 7 Alabama 10 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN CBS 37–6 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71567355/irish-leave-bama-bloodied-battered/ The South Bend Tribune Irish leave 'Bama bloodied, battered November 15, 1987 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com November 21 12:00 p.m. l y 7 Penn State Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry CBS 20–21 84,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/york-daily-record-lions-sack-irish-in-se/172086622/ York Daily Record Lions sack Irish in season finale, 21–20 November 22, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com November 28 3:30 p.m. l y 10 Miami (FL) 2 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL rivalry CBS 0–24 76,640 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-some-revenge-irish-dont/172086691/ Florida Today Some revenge – Irish don't come close November 29, 1987 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1, 1988, 1988 1:30 p.m. l y 12 Texas A&M 13 Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX Cotton Bowl Classic CBS 10–35 73,006 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-those-aggie-eye/172086793/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Those Aggie eyes are smilin', 35–10 January 2, 1988 May 10, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries At Michigan #16 Notre Dame at #9 Michigan Notre Dame 10 0 7 9 Michigan 0 0 7 0 September 12 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI 3:30 p.m. EST 106,098 ABC yes Q1 ND Gradel 44 yard field goal ND 3–0 Q1 ND T. Brown 11 yard pass from Andrysiak (Gradel kick) ND 10–0 Q3 ND Banks 1 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 17–0 Q3 MICH McMurtry 12 yard pass from D. Brown (Gillette kick) ND 17–7 Q4 ND Gradel 38 yard field goal ND 20–7 Q4 ND Watters 18 yard run (pass failed) ND 26–7 yes 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry Terry Andrysiak completed 11 of 15 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown while Notre Dame converted four of Michigan's seven turnovers into scores. "Notre Dame accepts Michigan's charity." Gainesville Sun. 1987 Sept 13. Michigan State Michigan St 0 0 0 8 Notre Dame 19 5 7 0 September 19 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 7:45 p.m. EST 59,075 ESPN yes Q1 ND Ezor downed ball in end zone ND 2–0 Q1 ND Gradel 27 yard field goal ND 5–0 Q1 ND Brown 71 yard punt return (Gradel kick) ND 12–0 Q1 ND Brown 66 yard punt return (Gradel kick) ND 19–0 Q2 ND McAllister tackled in end zone ND 21–0 Q2 ND Gradel 37 yard field goal ND 24–0 Q3 ND Johnson 3 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 31–0 Q4 MSU Rison 57 yard pass from McAllister (Wilson pass from McAllister) ND 31–8 yes 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry Purdue Notre Dame 10 7 14 13 Purdue 0 17 3 0 September 27 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN 12:00 p.m. EST 68,528 yes Q1 ND Gradel 35 yard field goal ND 3–0 Q1 ND Johnson 6 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 10–0 Q2 PUR Schumacher 4 yard pass from Downing (Briggs kick) ND 10–7 Q2 PUR C. Williams 20 yard pass from Downing (Briggs kick) PUR 14–10 Q2 PUR Briggs 18 yard field goal PUR 17–10 Q2 ND Johnson 1 yard run (Gradel kick) Tie 17–17 Q3 PUR Briggs 50 yard field goal PUR 20–17 Q3 ND Johnson 8 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 24–20 Q3 ND Brown 49 yard pass from Andrysiak (Gradel kick) ND 31–20 Q4 ND Gradel 28 yard field goal ND 34–20 Q4 ND Gradel 44 yard field goal ND 37–20 Q4 ND Southall 57 yard interception return (Gradel kick) ND 44–20 yes Gainesville Sun. 1987 Sept 28. Pittsburgh Air Force Notre Dame 14 0 14 7 Air Force 0 7 0 7 October 17 Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO 3:30 p.m. EST 51,112 yes Q1 ND Rice 1 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 7–0 Q1 ND Rice 4 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 14–0 Q2 AFA Booker 4 yard run (Yarborough kick) ND 14–7 Q3 ND Johnson 1 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 21–7 Q3 ND Banks 1 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 28–7 Q4 AFA Dowis 1 yard run (Yarborough kick) ND 28–14 Q4 ND Brown 74 yard punt return (Gradel kick) ND 35–14 yes Gainesville Sun. 1987 Oct 18. USC USC 7 0 0 8 Notre Dame 3 17 6 0 October 24 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 59,075 CBS yes Q1 USC Jackson 9 yard pass from Peete (Rodriguez kick) USC 7–0 Q1 ND Gradel 26 yard field goal USC 7–3 Q2 ND Rice 26 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 10–7 Q2 ND T. Brown 5 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 17–7 Q2 ND Gradel 32 yard field goal ND 20–7 Q3 ND Green 11 yard run (run failed) ND 26–7 Q4 USC Lockwood 5 yard run (Tanner pass from Peete) ND 26–15 yes Gainesville Sun. 1987 Oct 25. Navy Navy 0 6 0 7 Notre Dame 14 21 14 7 October 31 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 12:00 p.m. EST 59,075 yes Q1 ND Johnson 6 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 7–0 Q1 ND Johnson 9 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 14–0 Q2 ND Green 21 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 21–0 Q2 NAVY Fundoukos 43 yard field goal ND 21–3 Q2 ND Johnson 1 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 28–3 Q2 NAVY Fundoukos 31 yard field goal ND 28–6 Q2 ND Brown 51 yard pass from Graham (Gradel kick) ND 35–6 Q3 ND Johnson 2 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 42–6 Q3 ND Watters 6 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 49–6 Q4 ND Brooks 4 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 56–6 Q4 NAVY Sims 4 yard run (Fundoukos kick) ND 56–13 yes Gainesville Sun. 1987 Nov 1. Boston College Boston College 7 10 8 0 Notre Dame 6 0 12 14 November 7 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 59,075 yes Q1 ND Gradel 21 yard field goal ND 3–0 Q1 BC Hudginson 3 yard pass from Power (Lowe kick) BC 7–3 Q1 ND Gradel 21 yard field goal BC 7–6 Q2 BC Lowe 31 yard field goal BC 10–6 Q2 BC Bell 11 yard run (Lowe kick) BC 17–6 Q3 ND Green 33 yard run (run failed) BC 17–12 Q3 10:02 BC Flutie 31 yard pass from Parker (Power run) BC 25–12 Q3 ND Johnson 1 yard run (run failed) BC 25–18 Q4 ND Braxston 1 yard run (Gradel kick) Tie 25–25 Q4 ND Green 2 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 32–25 yes ND: Mark Green 152 Rush Yds ND: Tim Brown 294 all-purpose Yds Gainesville Sun. 1987 Nov 8. Alabama Alabama 3 3 0 0 Notre Dame 3 17 3 14 November 14 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 59,075 Mack Gentry (SEC) Brent Musburger, Pat Haden and John Dockery CBS yes Q1 ALA Doyle 34 yard field goal ALA 3–0 Q1 ND Gradel 49 yard field goal Tie 3–3 Q2 ND Rice 12 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 10–3 Q2 ND Heck 3 yard pass from Rice (Gradel kick) ND 17–3 Q2 ND Gradel 21 yard field goal ND 20–3 Q2 ALA Doyle 28 yard field goal ND 20–6 Q3 ND Gradel 22 yard field goal ND 23–6 Q4 ND Green 74 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 30–6 Q4 ND Watters 75 yard run (Gradel kick) ND 37–6 yes Gainesville Sun. 1987 Nov 15. Penn State Miami (FL) 1987 Miami Hurricanes football team Cotton Bowl Roster 1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish f 80 Jr Steve Alaniz WR 72 Joe Allen T 2 Sr Terry Andrysiak QB y 39 Braxston Banks RB 8 Jr Steve Belles QB y 81 Sr Tim Brown Tim Brown (American football) WR y 17 Fr Kent Graham QB y 11 Jr Pete Graham QB 24 Jr Mark Green RB 66 Jr Andy Heck OT y 51 Chuck Lanza C y 9 So Tony Rice Tony Rice (American football) QB y 12 Fr Ricky Watters RB y 90 So Jeff Alm DT y 47 So Ned Bolcar LB y 67 Fr Bob Dahl DT y 26 Greg Davis SS 13 Jr Pat Eilers SS y 48 Sr Cedric Figaro LB y 92 Bryan Flannery DE y 32 Jr D’Juan Francisco CB 36 Donn Grimm LB 38 Jr Darrell Gordon DE 7 Fr Andre Jones Andre Jones (linebacker) LB y 37 Fr Scott Kowalkowski LB y 1 Fr Todd Lyght CB y 34 Jr Wes Pritchett LB 40 Fr Tim Ryan LB 15 So Pat Terrell FS y 5 Sr Brandy Wells CB *Lou Holtz *Foge Fazio (DC) George Stewart (LB) Team players drafted into the NFL The following players were drafted into professional football following the season. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Player Position Round Pick Franchise Tim Brown Wide Receiver 1 6 Los Angeles Raiders Tom Redehr Tackle 3 69 New England Patriots Chuck Lanza Center 3 70 Pittsburgh Steelers Cedric Figaro Linebacker 6 152 San Diego ChargersBrandy Wells Defensive Back 9 226 Cincinnati Bengals https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1988.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221160900/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1988.htm 2007-12-21 1988 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com References Notre Dame Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football seasons Notre Dame Fighting Irish football