What Is 1987 Clemson Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 10–2 record and a No. 9 final ranking after winning the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl.

Key Facts

The 1987 Clemson Tigers finished with a 10–2 overall record and a 6–1 conference record in the ACC.
Head coach Danny Ford led the team before resigning abruptly in January 1989 amid NCAA violations.
Clemson defeated Penn State 35–10 in the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl on January 1, 1988.
The team was ranked as high as No. 9 in the final AP Poll.
Quarterback Mike Hold threw for 1,759 yards and 13 touchdowns during the season.

Overview

The 1987 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the team was led by head coach Danny Ford and finished the season with a strong 10–2 overall record and a 6–1 mark in conference play.

Despite not winning the ACC championship, Clemson earned a berth in the Hall of Fame Bowl, where they delivered a dominant performance to cap their season. The team finished ranked No. 9 in the final AP Poll, marking one of the most successful seasons of the late 1980s for the program.

10–2 record: The Tigers won 10 games in the regular season and postseason, their highest win total since the 1981 national championship season.
ACC performance: Clemson finished second in the ACC with a 6–1 conference record, trailing only the undefeated and national champion Miami Hurricanes in head-to-head comparisons.
Hall of Fame Bowl: On January 1, 1988, Clemson defeated Penn State 35–10 in Birmingham, Alabama, showcasing their defensive strength and offensive balance.
Quarterback Mike Hold: Threw for 1,759 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season, leading the Tigers' offense with consistent play.
Danny Ford’s final full season: This was the last full season under head coach Danny Ford, who resigned in January 1989 following NCAA sanctions related to recruiting violations.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1987 season featured several pivotal matchups that defined Clemson’s campaign. The team demonstrated resilience after a mid-season loss and rebounded with strong finishes against ranked opponents.

Season opener: Clemson defeated Georgia Tech 24–10 in Atlanta, setting a tone of defensive dominance early in the year.
Loss to Miami: A 27–24 defeat to the eventual national champion Hurricanes on October 17 proved to be their first and most consequential loss.
Win over Virginia: A 27–10 victory over Virginia in November helped secure their bowl eligibility and ACC standing.
Defensive strength: The Tigers allowed just 15.2 points per game, ranking among the top defenses nationally in scoring defense.
Running game: Running back Greg Hill contributed 786 rushing yards and six touchdowns, providing balance to the offense.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1987 Clemson Tigers to other top teams in the final AP Poll highlights their national relevance:

Team	Record	Final AP Rank	Bowl Result	Head Coach
Miami (FL)	12–0	1	Won Fiesta Bowl	Jimmy Johnson
Florida State	11–1	2	Won Sugar Bowl	Bobby Bowden
Notre Dame	8–4	8	Lost Fiesta Bowl	Tyrone Willingham
Clemson	10–2	9	Won Hall of Fame Bowl	Danny Ford
California	8–3–1	10	Won Citrus Bowl	Joe Kapp

The 1987 Clemson Tigers ranked among the nation’s elite, finishing ahead of teams like California and behind powerhouses like Miami and Florida State. Their victory over Penn State in the Hall of Fame Bowl solidified their status as a top-10 team and provided a bright note before the program faced NCAA turmoil in the coming years.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season remains a significant chapter in Clemson football history due to its blend of on-field success and looming off-field challenges. It represented both the peak of an era and the beginning of a transitional period for the program.

Final successful season under Ford: The 1987 campaign was the last full successful season before Danny Ford resigned amid NCAA investigations.
NCAA probation: Clemson was placed on probation in 1989, leading to scholarship reductions and a recruiting freeze that impacted future seasons.
Bowl victory significance: The 35–10 win over Penn State was one of the most decisive bowl wins in school history at the time.
Player development: The season helped launch the careers of several players who went on to play in the NFL, including defensive standouts.
Program legacy: Despite later sanctions, the 1987 team is remembered for its resilience and competitive fire on the field.
Historical context: The season occurred during a transitional era in college football, just before the rise of expanded bowl systems and the BCS era.

The 1987 Clemson Tigers stand as a testament to a program that achieved national prominence even as internal challenges began to mount. Their success on the field continues to be celebrated by fans and historians alike.