What Is 1987 Boston College Eagles football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Boston College Eagles football team, led by head coach Tom Coughlin, finished with a 5–6 record and played in the 1987 Liberty Bowl, losing to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 35–34 in a close contest.

Key Facts

The 1987 Boston College Eagles finished the season with a 5–6 overall record
Head coach Tom Coughlin was in his second season at the helm
The team played in the 1987 Liberty Bowl on December 27 in Memphis, Tennessee
Boston College lost the Liberty Bowl to Louisiana Tech 35–34 in a high-scoring game
Quarterback Doug Flutie had departed, leaving a leadership gap in the offense

Overview

The 1987 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coming off the heels of the legendary 1984 season led by Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie, expectations remained high despite his departure. The Eagles were coached by Tom Coughlin, who was in his second year as head coach, aiming to maintain the program’s momentum.

The team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a losing record and narrowly missing a winning season. Despite flashes of offensive potential, defensive lapses and close losses defined their campaign. The season culminated in a bowl appearance, marking a modest but notable continuation of Boston College’s growing national presence in college football.

Season record: The Eagles finished with a 5–6 overall record, failing to reach a winning season for the first time since 1983.
Head coach:Tom Coughlin entered his second season, striving to build on the legacy left by previous coaching staff and Flutie’s era.
Bowl game: The team played in the 1987 Liberty Bowl on December 27, 1987, held at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.
Opponent and result: Boston College lost a high-scoring game to Louisiana Tech 35–34, marking one of the closest bowl defeats in school history.
Post-Flutie transition: With Doug Flutie gone, the Eagles struggled to replace his leadership and playmaking, relying on a less-experienced quarterback rotation.

How It Works

The 1987 Boston College football season operated under the structure of NCAA Division I-A, with a schedule combining conference and independent matchups. As an independent program at the time, Boston College scheduled a mix of regional and national opponents to maintain visibility and competitiveness.

Season length: The team played 11 games, including a postseason bowl, following the standard 10–12 game schedule format of the era.
Offensive system: Boston College utilized a pro-style offense, emphasizing passing and mobility, a carryover from the Flutie years.
Defensive scheme: The defense ran a 4–3 alignment, focusing on aggressive line play and coverage in the secondary.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Schultz Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, with a capacity of around 44,500.
Recruiting pipeline: The team relied heavily on northeastern recruits, particularly from Massachusetts and New York, to fill roster gaps.
Bowl eligibility: Despite a losing record, Boston College was invited to the Liberty Bowl due to television agreements and team availability in 1987.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1987 season to surrounding years highlights performance trends and program transitions.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Bowl Result	Key Player
1984	10–2	Tom Coughlin	Won Aloha Bowl	Doug Flutie
1985	7–5	Tom Coughlin	No bowl	No clear standout
1986	7–4–1	Tom Coughlin	No bowl	Gerard Phelan
1987	5–6	Tom Coughlin	Lost Liberty Bowl 35–34	Multiple QBs
1988	7–4	Tom Coughlin	No bowl	Steve Drabowski

The decline from 1986 to 1987 reflected the difficulty of replacing elite talent like Flutie. While Coughlin maintained stability, the lack of a star quarterback and inconsistent defense hampered progress. The 1987 Liberty Bowl appearance was a rare bright spot, showcasing the team’s resilience despite a losing record.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season is a case study in sustaining program success after losing a generational player. It underscored the challenges of transitioning from a star-driven era to a more balanced team approach.

Post-Flutie era: The season marked the first full year without Doug Flutie, testing the depth and development of the quarterback position.
Bowl inclusion with losing record: Boston College’s invitation highlighted looser bowl eligibility standards in the late 1980s compared to today’s stricter rules.
Coaching continuity: Tom Coughlin’s continued leadership provided stability during a transitional phase for the program.
Recruiting impact: The team’s performance influenced recruiting momentum, with fewer top-tier prospects joining immediately post-Flutie.
Historical context: The close Liberty Bowl loss remains a notable footnote in bowl history due to its narrow margin and offensive output.
Program trajectory: The season contributed to a rebuilding phase that eventually led to improved records in the early 1990s.

Though not a standout year in wins, the 1987 Boston College Eagles season remains significant for its role in the program’s evolution and resilience after losing one of college football’s most iconic players.