COLLEGE FOOTBALL - 1987 SEASON
20/08/87 - Kick-Off Classic - Iowa (22) v (23) Tennessee - In the season opener for both teams at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, Tennessee completed a 4th quarter comeback with a FG with 8 seconds left for the win. The Vols trailed 22-17 when QB Jeff Francis (11-23-151-0) and RB Reggie Cobb (25-138-) led their team to FG range where kicker Phil Reich, in only his 2nd college start, kicked the game-winning 20 yard FG with 8 seconds left. Tennessee also featured WR Anthony Miller, LB Darrin Miller (96 yard interception return for a TD) and DB Terry McDaniel. Iowa were led by QB's Dan McGwire (7-14-86-0) and Chuck Hartlieb + RB Kevin Harmon (2 TD's) (8, 50 mins Hi-Lites, 1 Disc, ABC - Jackson/Griese, PAL)
05/09/87 - Texas Tech (16) @ (40) Florida State - #8 ranked Florida State opened their season with a big home win in the rain against an under-manned Texas Tech team. Both teams were tied at 13-13 at the start of the 2nd quarter before the Seminoles, led by QB Danny McManus (19-34-275-2) and RB Dexter Carter (14-60-0 + 4-24-0), pulled away to take the win. Tech was led by back-up QB Scott Toman (16-27-162-0) after starter Billy Joe Tolliver pulled out with an injury. Toman was supported by RB James Gray (2 TD runs) but the Seminoles superior talent finally took control, keeping the Red Raiders scoreless in the 2nd half. Tech also featured WR's Tyrone Thurman and Wayne Walker, RB Ervin Ferris, LB's Boyd Cowans and James Mosley + DB Eric Everett. Florida State also featured QB Chip Ferguson, RB Marion Butts, LB's David Palmer and Paul McGowan + DB's Deion Sanders (5 tackles), Dedrick Dodge and LeRoy Butler. Coverage starts with the score at 7-7 and is missing the 1st Florida State and Texas Tech drives and starts just before the Seminoles score their 2nd TD (6, Sparkles in the picture + colour bars + slight jitter, 1 Disc, SCN - Reed/Jones/Milligan, NTSC)
12/09/87 - UCLA (33) @ (42) Nebraska - A much anticipated match-up between #2 Nebraska and #3 UCLA ended in a blowout as the Huskers Offense had a big game. Nebraska QB Steve Taylor (10-15-217-5) had a huge game and was helped by a rushing attack that racked up 117 yards. UCLA were led by QB Troy Aikman (14-22-211-0) and RB Gaston Green (19-46-3) but trailed 42-17 in the 4th quarter before adding a couple of late scores (8, 50 mins hi-lites, 1 Disc, ESPN - Kelly/Kiley, PAL)
12/09/87 - Oklahoma State (35) @ (0) Houston - The Cowboys gained a measure of revenge for their loss to the Cougars in 1986 with a beat-down in the Astrodome. Led by QB Mike Cundy (1 TD run) and RB's Thurman Thomas (49 yard TD run) and Barry Sanders (2 yard TD run + 67 yard punt return TD), the Cowboys led 14-0 at the half then soldified their lead with 2 more TD's in the 3rd quarter to stifle any chance of a Cougar comeback. Houston were led by QB David Dacus and his replacement Andre Ware, WR Jason Phillips, RB Sloan Hood, LB Robert Harper and DB Johnny Jackson (8, 50 mins Hi-Lites, 1 Disc, Raycom - Franklin/Rowe, PAL)
19/09/87 - Tulsa (15) @ (30) Arkansas - Arkansas's Freshman quarterback Quinn Grovey (81 yards rushing) made an impressive start to his college career, leading the #10 ranked Razorbacks to an easy win in Little Rock. Grovey was starting in place of injured starter Greg Thomas and he took his chance well, leading the Razorbacks to scores on 6 of their fist 8 possessions. Arkansas led 20-0 at the half and coasted home the rest of the way, amassing over 300 yards rushing. Arkansas also featured RB's Barry Foster (1 TD run) and James Rouse (1 TD run), DL Tony Cherico and DB Steve Atwater. Tulsa were led by Freshman QB TJ Rubley (20-41-281-2) and also featured WR Dan Bitson (7-129-1), RB Derrick Ellison and DL Dennis Byrd (7, Slight Jumpy picture with occassional tracking line and audio issues, 1 Disc, Raycom - Franklin/Rowe, NTSC)
19/09/87 - Florida (23) @ (14) Alabama - The Gators beat Alabama for the 1st time since 1963 on the legs of Freshman RB Emmitt Smith (39-224-2) making his 1st career start. Florida also featured QB Kerwin Bell (130 yds passing). Alabama featured RB Bobby Humphrey and QB David Smith (8, 2 Discs, TBS - Neal/Foley, NTSC)
19/09/87 - Michigan State (8) @ (31) Notre Dame - #9 ranked Notre Dame dominated #17 ranked Michigan State in South Bend, starting the season 2-0 for the 1st time since 1982. The Irish started fast, building a 19-0 lead after the 1st quarter and a 24-0 lead at the break. The star of the show was WR Tim Brown (275 all-purpose yards + 2 TD's) who announced himself to the Heisman voters by returning 2 punts for TD's in the 1st quarter (71 and 66 yards). Notre Dame also featured QB Terry Andrysiak, RB Mark Green and a Defense, led by LB Ned Bolcar, that had 2 safeties, 4 turnovers and 8 sacks. Michigan State led by QB Bobby McAllister (1 TD pass), RB Lorenzo White (19-51-0), WR Andre Rison (57 yard TD catch) and LB Percy Snow (8, Player-to-Recorder copy, Occasional tracking line at the top of the screen, 2 Discs, ESPN - Kelly/Kiley, NTSC)
26/09/87 - Miami (51) @ (7) Arkansas - #5 ranked Miami shocked #10 Arkansas in Little Rock, handing them their worst ever home loss. It was a measure of revenge for Miami coach Jimmy Johnson, an Arkansas alum, who had been passed over twice for the Head Coach position at the University. Miami racked up 525 yards of total Offense while the Defense held the Razorbacks to only 187 yards of total Offense. The 'Canes failed to score on their first possession of the game but scored on every one after that, running out to a 38-0 lead at the half and cruised home in the 2nd half. Miami featured QB's Steve Walsh (20-28-215-1), in his first road start, and Craig Erickson (6-8-54-1), RB's Warren Williams (11-108-2) and Melvin Bratton (1 TD run), WR's Michael Irvin (1 TD catch) and Brian Blades, DL Daniel Stubbs, LB's George Mira Jr. and Randy Shannon and DB Bennie Blades. Arkansas featured QB's Greg Thomas and Quinn Grovey (5-7-55-0 + 24 yards rushing) who replaced an injured Thomas in the 3rd quarter, RB James Rouse (1 TD run), DL Tony Cherico and DB Steve Atwater (8, Player-to-Recorder copy, 2 Discs, ESPN - Patrick/Corso, NTSC)
26/09/87 - Texas Tech (22) @ (36) Baylor - Baylor once again put Tech to the sword, using a balanced all-around game on Offense and Defense to take the win. Led by QB Brad Goebel (13-23-250-1) and RB Charles Perry, the Bears ran up a quick 17-0 lead that they kept until the end. Tech pulled within a score twice, led by QB Billy Joe Tolliver and RB's James Gray and Clifton Winston, but 6 turnovers doomed any chance of a successful comeback. Baylor also featured LB James Francis and DB's Robert Blackmon, Ray Crockett and Mike Welch. Texas Tech also featured WR's Tyrone Thurman and Wayne Walker, LB Michael Johnson (19 tackles) and DB Donald Harris (8, 50 mins Hi-Lites, 1 Disc, Raycom - Franklin/Rowe, PAL)
26/09/87 - Sam Houston State (34) @ (38) Houston - The Cougars finally ended their 10 game losing streak by beating Div-1AA Sam Houston and gave new Houston coach Jack Pardee his 1st win. The hero was Freshman QB Andre Ware (20-40-323-2), making his 1st career start, but he was also helped by WR James Dixon who had 217 yards on kick returns (a team record) including a 94 yard TD return. Sam Houston were led by QB Reggie Lewis (29-46-413-3) who had a huge game (8, Silent colour game film, 1 Disc, Houston Uni, NTSC)
03/10/87 - Miami (26) @ (25) Florida State - The # 3 Hurricanes visited the # 4 Seminoles, with both teams unbeaten. Miami QB Steve Walsh brought the 'Canes back from a 19-3 deficit to take the lead on a 73 yard TD pass to Michael Irvin. But FSU replied and tied the game with 42 seconds left. FSU coach Bobby Bowden gave up the chance of a tie and went for the win with a 2 point pass play. Unfortunately, the pass was knocked down and the 'Canes ran out the clock to win the game. Miami featured RB Melvin Bratton, WR Brian Blades, LB George Mira JR. and DB's Bubba McDowell and Bennie Blades. Florida State featured QB Danny McManus, RB's Sammie Smith and Marion Butts and DB Deion Sanders (9, 1 Disc, CBS - Musberger/Haden/Dockery, PAL)
17/10/87 - Texas (16) @ (14) Arkansas - The battle between the 2 big rivals once again went down to the wire. Texas threw an 18 yard TD pass on the last play of the game to complete the come-from-behind win. Texas were led by RB Eric Metcalf on offense and LB Britt Hager on defense. Arkansas featured Freshman QB Quinn Grovey on offense and Safety Steve Atwater on defense (9, 2 Discs, ESPN - Patrick/Corso, PAL)
07/11/87 - Texas (40) @ (60) Houston - In a shootout in the Astrodome, Houston broke open a close game in the 4th quarter with 31 unanswered points. The Cougars set an NCAA record by returning 4 interceptions for TD's, including 3 in the final quarter. The star on the Defense was DB Johnny Jackson who had 3 of the interceptions. Houston featured QB David Dacus, RB Kimble Anders and WR Brian Williams. Texas featured QB's Brett Stafford and Kelley Shannon, RB Eric Metcalf (1 TD pass), WR Tony Jones (2 TD catches of 62 and 71 yards), LB Britt Hager and DB John Hagy (8, Intermittent tracking line at the bottom of the screen in the 1st quarter, 2 Discs, HSE, NTSC)
07/11/87 - TCU (35) @ (36) Texas Tech - A shootout in Lubbock ended with the Red Raiders winning on an 11 yd TD pass with 54 secs left. The game was billed as a rushing duel between Tech's RB James Gray (24-168-2 inc. 72 yard TD run) and TCU's Tony Jeffery (15-85-0) but ended in a shootout between Tech QB Billy Joe Tolliver (16-30-251-2) and TCU QB Daniel Rascoe (14-19-261-4). Rascoe put TCU in the lead with 2:33 left on a 55 yard TD pass before Tolliver replied with the winning TD pass (8, 50 mins hi-lites, 1 Disc, Raycom - Stone/Rowe, PAL)
14/11/87 - TCU (21) @ (24) Texas - In a game for football purists, Texas used a strong running game to beat TCU and keep it's Cotton Bowl hopes alive. The longhorns rushed for 219 total yards and threw the ball only 7 times with RB Eric Metcalf (36-206-2) the main weapon. TCU countered with RB Tony Jeffery (28-166-0) but couldn't overcome a 24-7 deficit in the 3rd quarter (8, 50 mins hi-lites, 1 Disc, Raycom - Stone/Rowe, PAL)
21/11/87 - UCLA (13) @ (17) USC - Underdog USC sensationally fought back from a 13-0 deficit in the 2nd half to upset UCLA and book a place in the Rose Bowl. Led by QB Troy Aikman (11-26-171-0) and RB Gaston Green (38-138-1), the Bruins took a 10-0 lead in at the half then a 13-0 lead in the 3rd quarter before USC QB Rodney Peete (23-35-304-2) rallied the Trojans. Peete threw 2 TD passes, including the game-winning 33 yarder to WR Erik Affholter that he juggled before just getting 1 foot down in the end-zone. The Trojan defense sealed the win when DB Mark Carrier intercepted Aikman for the 2nd time to end the game. USC also featured LB Marcus Cotton. UCLA also featured DL Mike Lodish, LB's Carnell Lake and Ken Norton and DB Eric Turner. Note : A last play of the 1st half interception and return is missed due to the original taper re-starting the recording late, but the play is seen on replay (8, Network JIP - Missing 1st 4 plays but no scoring, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Griese/Adamle, NTSC)
21/11/87 - Clemson (7) @ (20) South Carolina - For the first time since 1979, #12 ranked South Carolina beat #10 ranked Clemson at Willams-Brice Stadium, upsetting the Tigers. Both team's Defense's were on top in the 1st half and Clemson held a slim 7-6 lead at the break. Led by the passing game of QB Todd Ellis and the dominating Defense led by DB Brad Edwards (2 INT's including a 40 yard INT return TD), South Carolina controlled the game in the 2nd half, scoring 14 unanswered points to take the win. South Carolina also featured RB Harold Green (1 TD run), WR Sterling Sharpe and DL Roy Hart. Clemson featured QB Rodney Williams, RB Wesley McFadden, DL Michael Dean Perry and DB Donnell Woolford (7, 49 minutes hi-lites, 1 Disc, ESPN - Kelly/Kiley, PAL)
26/11/87 - Texas (13) @ (20) Texas A&M - Texas A&M continued their win streak against their big rivals, winning their 4th in a row against the Longhorns, and booked their place in the Cotton Bowl. Both team's Defense's controlled the 1st half with each team's TD's coming off of long runs : The Aggies RB Keith Woodside ran 90 yards for a TD and the Longhorns RB Eric Metcalf ran for a 50 yard TD run. The score was tied at 10-10 at the break and 13-13 with 4 minutes left when, with back-up QB Bucky Richardson at the controls, the Aggies scored the game-winning TD. Texas A&M also featured QB Craig Stump and LB Aaron Wallace. Texas also featured QB Brett Stafoord and LB Britt Hager (7, 51 minutes hi-lites, 1 Disc, ESPN - Kelly/Kiley, PAL)
05/12/87 - South Carolina (16) @ (20) Miami - #2 ranked Miami ended their regular season unbeaten with a hard-fought win over #8 ranked South Carolina. The Gamecocks came out fired up and ran out to a 6-0 lead early. But the Hurricanes re-grouped and went in at the half 14-13 up. Miami took a commanding lead in the 3rd quarter with another TD and held on in the 4th quarter to take the win. The win was Miami's 32nd straight at home. The game also featured a bench-clearing fight in the 4th quarter. Miami were led by QB Steve Walsh (2 TD passes), RB Melvin Bratton (1 TD run) and WR's Michael Irvin (46 yard TD catch) and Brian Blades (56 yard TD catch) + DL Daniel Stubbs and LB George Mira Jr. South Carolina featured QB Todd Ellis, RB Harold Green, WR Sterling Sharpe (46 yard TD catch), DL Roy Hart and DB Brad Edwards (7, 48 minutes hi-lites, 1 Disc, ESPN - Kelly/Kiley, PAL)
12/12/87 - California Bowl - Eastern Michigan (30) v (27) San Jose State - Underdog Eastern Michigan shocked the favoured Spartans to win their 1st ever Bowl game. The Hurons used a strong rushing game, led by RB Gary Patton (21-130-1), to keep the high-powered Spartans offense, led by QB Mike Perez (26-39-290-1), off the field. Still, the Spartans led 27-24 with 3:59 left when Hurons QB Ron Adams (7-12-100-1) threw the winning TD pass to take the win. San Jose State also featured RB James Saxon (5-33-1), LB's Barry Kidney and Yepi Pauu. The Hurons also featured LB Keith Bertram (8, 2 Discs, ESPN - Papa/White, NTSC)
25/12/87 - Sun Bowl - West Virginia (33) v (35) Oklahoma State - In a game that seemed to have a little of everything, Oklahoma State survived a driving snow-storm to score late in the game and hold on as the Mountaineers failed on an game-tieing 2 point conversion. The Cowboys featured MVP RB Thurman Thomas (157 yards + 4 TD runs), back-up RB Barry Sanders, QB Mike Gundy and WR Hart Lee Dykes. West Virginia were led by QB Major Harris (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Musberger/Haden/Dockery, PAL)
01/01/88 - Orange Bowl - Miami (20) v (14) Oklahoma - In a battle for the National Championship, it was the home-town Hurricanes that won on the play of QB Steve Walsh (18-30-209-2), WR Michael Irvin (1 TD catch) and MVP LB Bernard Clark (12 solo tackles, 14 total tackles). Miami was ranked #2 and Oklahoma was ranked #1. Oklahoma were led by coach Barry Switzer, QB Charles Thompson and TE Keith Jackson (8, 50 minute hi-lites, 1 Disc, NBC - Criqui/Trumpy, PAL)
02/01/88 - Hall of Fame Bowl - Michigan (28) v (27) Alabama - In a battle of 2 top running backs, Michigan's Jamie Morris and Alabama's Bobby Humphrey, the game was ultimately decided by Michigan QB Demetrius Brown. Brown lofted a 20 yard TD pass on 4th down in the final seconds to win the game. Michigan RB Morris had a bowl record 234 yards rushing including a 77 yard TD run. Alabama RB Humphrey had 149 yards rushing. The Tide also featured LB Derrick Thomas (8, 1 Disc, NBC - Costas/McGuire/Rashad, NTSC)