1987 Eastern Michigan Hurons football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1987 Eastern Michigan Hurons football Mid-American Conference MAC 10–2 7–1 Jim Harkema 5th Rynearson Stadium MAC championCalifornia Bowl champion California Bowl W 30–27 vs. San Jose State The 1987 Eastern Michigan Hurons football team represented Eastern Michigan University during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Eastern Michigan competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), was coached by Jim Harkema, and played their homes game at Rynearson Stadium. They finished the season 10–2 overall and 7–1 in MAC play while winning the MAC championship. It was their first conference team since joining the MAC and first overall since winning the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1957. The Hurons went to the 1987 California Bowl (their first bowl appearance since joining Division I and first since the 1971 Pioneer Bowl) and upset 171 2 point favorite San Jose State for their first bowl win in EMU history. It is the first and so far only time Eastern Michigan has had a ten win season along with their last bowl appearance until 2016. Schedule Eastern September 5 w y Youngstown State Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI 35–20 17,252 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-the-times-are-a-chang/143974756/ Detroit Free Press The times are a-changin': EMU wins opener, 35–20 September 6, 1987 March 23, 2024 Newspapers.com September 12 w y Miami (OH) Yager Stadium Oxford, OH 33–17 17,788 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-finally-eastern-beat/172459473/ Detroit Free Press Finally, Eastern beats Miami September 13, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com September 19 l y y Akron Rubber Bowl Akron, OH 16–17 10,032 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muskegon-chronicle-zips-hang-on-for/172082806/ The Muskegon Chronicle Zips hang on for slim 17–16 victory over Hurons September 20, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com September 26 w y Kent State Dix Stadium Kent, OH 23–21 17,400 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-goal-post-huro/172459609/ The Akron Beacon Journal Goal post, Hurons get best of Kent September 27, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 3 w y Northern Illinois Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI 32–31 13,306 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-chronicle-late-touchdown-lifts/172084786/ The Daily Chronicle Late touchdown lifts Eastern Michigan over Northern October 4, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 10 l y Central Michigan Kelly/Shorts Stadium Mount Pleasant, MI rivalry 6–16 25,906 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bay-city-times-chippewas-score-decis/172459748/ The Bay City Times Chippewas score decisive victory October 11, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 17 w y Ball State Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI 35–28 17,201 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ann-arbor-news-hurons-hurdles-ball-s/172459900/ The Ann Arbor News Hurons hurdles Ball St. October 18, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 24 w y Western Michigan Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI 23–17 9,472 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-hurons-trip-bronco/172460026/ Lansing State Journal Hurons trip Broncos, 23–17 October 25, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com October 31 w Ohio Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI 34–16 11,763 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-eastern-michigan-keeps/172460169/ The Flint Journal Eastern Michigan keeps hold on MAC lead November 1, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 w y Toledo Glass Bowl Toledo, OH ESPN 38–9 17,041 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ann-arbor-news-hurons-clinch-share-o/172460421/ The Ann Arbor News Hurons clinch share of Mid-American crown November 6, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com November 14 w Bowling Green Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI 38–18 20,205 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muskegon-chronicle-hurons-celebrate/172460496/ The Muskegon Chronicle Hurons celebrate first trip to California Bowl November 15, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com December 12 w y y San Jose State Bulldog Stadium Fresno, CA California Bowl ESPN 30–27 24,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-hurons-upset-spartans-in/172192998/ The Fresno Bee Hurons upset Spartans in Cal Bowl December 13, 1987 May 15, 2025 Newspapers.com http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/mac/eastern_michigan/1985-1989_yearly_results.php Eastern Michigan Yearly Results College Football Data Warehouse September 2, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20130813222607/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/mac/eastern_michigan/1985-1989_yearly_results.php August 13, 2013 dead Coaching staff Name Position Year at school Jim Harkema Head coach 5th After the season The following Huron was selected in the 1988 NFL draft after the season.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/draft.htm 1988 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com January 7, 2024 Eastern Michigan Eagles 2 Round Pick Player Position NFL club 7172Gary PattonRunning backNew York Jets References Eastern Michigan Category:Eastern Michigan Eagles football seasons Category:Mid-American Conference football champion seasons Eastern Michigan Hurons football