1987 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1987 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 8 8 9–2–1 7–0–1 George Perles 5th Morris Watts 2nd Nick Saban 5th Stunt 4–3 Lorenzo White Mark Nichols Pat Shurmur Rob Stradley Lorenzo White Spartan Stadium Big Ten championRose Bowl champion Rose Bowl W 20–17 vs. USC The 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth year under head coach George Perles, the Spartans compiled a 9–2–1 record (7–0–1 in conference games), outscored opponents by a total of 241 to 136, and won the Big Ten championship. They defeated USC in the 1988 Rose Bowl and were ranked No. 8 in the final AP and UPI polls. It was the program's first top 10 finish since 1966. On offense, the Spartans gained an average of 218.3 rushing yards and 88.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to an average of 56.3 rushing yards and 150.5 passing yards per game.1987 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football March 7, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1987.html Running back Lorenzo White tallied 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 322 attempts, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. He was a consensus All-American,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 finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, and won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's most valuable player.Lorenzo White Is Conference MVP The Indianapolis Star January 20, 1988 D4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-lorenzo-white-is-c/129864544/ Newspapers.com He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.Lorenzo White National Football Foundation March 7, 2025 https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2443 Other statistical leaders included quarterback Bobby McAllister (67 of 132 passing, 50.8%, for 1,042 yards), wide receiver Andre Rison (32 receptions, 694 yards, 21.7 yards per reception), and linebacker Todd Krumm (nine interceptions). Seven Michigan State players received first-team honors on the 1987 All-Big Ten Conference football team: White; Krumm; offensive tackle Tony Mandarich; center Pat Shurmur; linebacker Percy Snow; defensive back John Miller; and punter Greg Montgomery. Rison was named to the second team.Briefs Chicago Tribune November 27, 1987 4-2 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1987/11/27/page/68/article/briefsAll Big-Ten Football Team The Daily Iowan November 24, 1987 8 http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1987/di1987-11-24.pdf Mandarich was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and head coach George Perles was selected by the conference coaches as the Big Ten Coach of the Year.College Football Awards: All National and Conference Winners Through 2010 Dave Blevins McFarland 2012 104 978-0786448678 The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans played the first night game ever at the stadium on September 7, 1987. Schedule 1987 AP Eastern September 7 8:00 p.m. w y USC 19 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ABC 27–13 77,922 Celebrate: MSU whips Southern Cal, 27-13 Lansing State Journal Jack Ebling September 8, 1987 1C, 4C https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-celebrate-msu-whi/167421246/ Newspapers.com September 19 7:45 p.m. l y y 17 Notre Dame 9 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry ESPN 8–31 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 1:00 p.m. l y Florida State 6 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 3–31 76,887 Florida State picks apart MSU: Spartans sputter, 31-3 Lansing State Journal Jack Ebling September 27, 1987 1E, 5E https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-florida-state-pick/167421557/ Newspapers.com October 3 12:30 p.m. w y Iowa 17 Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 19–14 67,700 Perles' ire fires Spartans; Iowa feels heat; No. 17 Hawks spin wheels in 19-14 loss The Des Moines Register Ron Maly October 4, 1987 1D, 7D https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-perles-ire-fire/167426860/ Newspapers.com October 10 3:30 p.m. w Michigan 12 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry ABC 17–11 77,424 Spartans head 'em off at pass: 7 MSU interceptions stun Michigan, 17-11 Lansing State Journal Dave Matthews October 11, 1987 1F, 6F https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-head-em/167422902/ Newspapers.com October 17 2:05 p.m. w y 19 Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL 38–0 29,113 A rosy stampede for MSU: White runs for 187 yards as Spartan bowl over NU Chicago Tribune Bill Jauss October 18, 1987 6 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-a-rosy-stampede-for-msu/167447693/ Newspapers.com October 24 1:00 p.m. t y 14 Illinois Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 14–14 76,513 MSU kicks itself after 14-14 tie Lansing State Journal Jack Ebling October 25, 1987 1E, 4E https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-msu-kicks-itself-a/167422389/ Newspapers.com October 31 3:30 p.m. w y 20 Ohio State 15 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC 13–7 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 1:00 p.m. w 15 Purdue Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 45–3 76,933 MSU ready to take on the Hoosiers: Everything rosy against Purdue in 45-3 victory Lansing State Journal Jack Ebling November 9, 1987 1E, 4E https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-msu-ready-to-take/167448298/ Newspapers.com November 14 3:30 p.m. w 13 Indiana 16 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry ABC 27–3 76,411 Smelling like a Rose: Spartans defeat Indiana, 27-3, to win Big Ten title Lansing State Journal Jack Ebling November 15, 1987 1E, 4E https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-smelling-like-a-ro/167421950/ Newspapers.com November 21 2:05 p.m. w y 11 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 30–9 45,385 UW falls to cellar in loss to Spartans Wisconsin State Journal Bill Brophy November 22, 1987 1, 6 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-uw-falls-to-cell/167429240/ Newspapers.com January 1, 1988 5:00 p.m. w y y 8 USC 16 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl NBC 20–17 103,847 A Simple Snap and a Wave End Big Ten Jinx: Michigan State Beats USC and Pac-10, 20-17 Los Angeles Times Mal Florence January 2, 1988 1, 7 (part III) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-1988-rose-bowl/167435748/ Newspapers.com Game summaries USC 1987 USC Trojans football team At Notre Dame Michigan State at Notre Dame Spartans 0 0 0 8 Fighting Irish 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 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry Florida State Florida State at Michigan State #6 Seminoles 0 7 10 14 Spartans 0 3 0 0 September 26 Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI 76,887 1987 Florida State Seminoles football team At Iowa Michigan State at Iowa Spartans 7 0 6 6 #17 Hawkeyes 7 7 0 0 October 3 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA 67,699 yes 1 IOWA Early 19-yard pass from Dan McGwire (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 7-0 1 Mich St White 5-yard run (Langeloh kick) Tied 7-7 2 Iowa Watkins 14-yard pass from McGwire (Houghtlin kick) IOWA 14-7 3 KSU Langeloh 21-yard field goal IOWA 14-10 3 KSU Langeloh 46-yard field goal IOWA 14-13 4 Iowa Sargent 8-yard pass from McAllister (pass failed) Mich St 19-14 yes 1987 Iowa Hawkeyes football team October 2, 1987 Who'll Be Counted Out In Big 10? https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/10/02/wholl-be-counted-out-in-big-10/ Chicago Tribune August 11, 2019 October 4, 1987 White, MSU defense too much for Iowa http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1987/10/04/page/53/article/white-msu-defense-too-much-for-iowa Chicago Tribune August 11, 2019 Michigan 1987 Michigan Wolverines football team Michigan 3 0 0 8 Michigan St 7 7 0 3 MICH - Gillette 31 FG MSU - White 6 Run (Langeloh kick) MSU - White 2 Run (Langeloh kick) MICH - Morris 18 D. Brown (pass good) MSU - Langeloh 42 FG Passing: MICH D. Brown 12/26, 158 Yds, TD, 7 INT, MSU McAllister 5/7, 68 Yds Rushing: MICH Morris 31/108, MSU White 34/185, 2 TD Receiving: MICH Kolesar 4/65, MSU Bouyer 2/38 Gainesville Sun. 1987 Oct 11. Retrieved 2019-Jan-07 At Northwestern 1987 Northwestern Wildcats football team Michigan State Spartans 2; text-align:center collapsed Michigan State Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats October 17 Michigan St 10 7 14 7 Northwestern 0 0 0 0 Dyche Stadium • Evanston, Illinois 29,113 Gainesville Sun. 1987 Oct 18. First quarter MSU – John Langeloh 31-yard field goal MSU – Lorenzo White 1-yard run (John Langeloh kick) Second quarter MSU – Lorenzo White 6-yard run (John Langeloh kick) Third quarter MSU – Lorenzo White 1-yard run (John Langeloh kick) MSU – Andre Rison 7-yard pass from Bobby McAllister (John Langeloh kick) Fourth quarter MSU – Blake Ezor 13-yard run (John Langeloh kick) Top passers MSU – Bobby McAllister – 5/16, 97 yards, TD, INT NW – Mike Greenfield – 4/9, 50 yards, INT Top rushers MSU – Lorenzo White – 33 rushes, 187 yards, 3 TD NW – Byron Sanders – 20 rushes, 26 yards Top receivers MSU – Andre Rison – 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD NW – Marcus Lang – 1 reception, 26 yards Illinois At Ohio State 1987 Ohio State Buckeyes football team Michigan State Spartans 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 Box Score 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 Purdue Indiana Michigan State Spartans 2; text-align:center collapsed Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan State Spartans November 14 Indiana 3 0 0 0 Michigan St 0 17 10 0 Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, Michigan 76,411 Gainesville Sun. 1987 Nov 15. Retrieved 2019-Jan-06. Indiana Kramme11/26, 147 Yds, 3 INT Thompson10 Rush, 23 Yds Jordan3 Rec, 39 Yds Michigan St McAllister5/5, 67 Yds, TD White56 Rush, 292 Yds, 2 TD Rison2 Rec, 41 Yds, TD IND MSU collapsed 1 Indiana FG 49 Stoyanovich 3 0 2 Michigan St RushTD White 5 good Langeloh run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 7 2 Michigan St RecTD Rison McAllister 22 good Langeloh run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 14 2 Michigan St FG 47 Langeloh 3 17 3 Michigan St FG 21 Langeloh 3 20 3 Michigan St RushTD White 1 good Langeloh run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 27 3 27 At Wisconsin Rose Bowl vs. USC 1988 Rose Bowl Personnel 1987 Michigan State Spartans f 17 Jr Willie Bouyer WR y 4 Fr Dan Enos QB y 26 So Blake Ezor RB y Rich Gicewicz TE David Houle OL 14 Sr Jeff Jacobs WR 63 Bob Kula OL 79 Jr Tony Mandarich OT y 8 Jr Bobby McAllister QB Steve Montgomery RB James Moore RB Joe Pugh RB 1 Jr Andre Rison WR y 71 Jr Kevin Robbins OT 49 Sr Mike Sargent TE 60 Sr Pat Shurmur C y 61 Jr Vince Tata OL 34 Sr Lorenzo White RB y Bernard Wilson WR 29 Fr Duane Young FB y 36 So Harlon Barnett CB y Joe Bergin DL John Budde DL 75 Travis Davis DL 57 Fr Dixon Edwards LB y 9 Fr Mike Iaquaniello DB y 51 Fr Carlos Jenkins LB y 35 Sr Todd Krumm S y 3 Jr Kurt Larson LB y 44 Jr John Miller John Miller (safety) S y Tim Moore LB 77 Fr Eric Moten DT y 83 Mark Nichols DL Lenier Payton DB Derrick Reed DB 48 So Percy Snow LB y Chris Soehnien DL 91 So Jim Szymanski DE y 66 So Matt Vanderbeck LB 10 Fr John Langeloh PK 23 Sr Greg Montgomery P y *George Perles *Nick Saban 1988 NFL draft The following players were selected in the 1988 NFL draft. 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 Team members Tony Mandarich, Andre Rison and Percy Snow were drafted in later years. Michigan State Spartans Player Round Pick Position NFL team Lorenzo White 1 22 Running back Houston Oilers Greg Montgomery 3 72 Punter Houston Oilers David Houle 6 145 Guard New York Giants Tim Moore 8 206 Linebacker Phoenix Cardinals Mark Nichols 8 209 Nose Tackle Pittsburgh Steelers References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons Michigan State Spartans football