What Is 1987 Missouri Tigers football team

Overview

The 1987 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Big 8 Conference, the team was led by head coach Woody Widenhofer, who was in his third year at the helm. The Tigers played their home games at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri, a venue with a capacity of over 62,000 at the time.

The season was marked by moderate offensive production and defensive inconsistencies, resulting in a losing record. Despite a promising start, Missouri failed to reach a bowl game for the second consecutive year. The team’s performance reflected ongoing challenges in building a consistent program during Widenhofer’s tenure.

• Record: The 1987 Missouri Tigers finished with an overall record of 5 wins and 6 losses, missing postseason play.
• Conference play: In the Big 8, Missouri went 3–4, tying for fifth place in the conference standings.
• Head coach:Woody Widenhofer entered his third season with a developing roster and limited depth on defense.
• Home stadium: The Tigers played at Faurot Field, which had undergone minor renovations in the mid-1980s.
• Key player: Quarterback Steve Wease led the offense, throwing for 1,853 yards and 11 touchdowns during the season.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1987 campaign featured a mix of close contests and decisive losses, highlighting the team’s struggle for consistency. Missouri opened the season with a win over Central Michigan but faced a tough schedule that included ranked opponents and traditional conference rivals.

• Season opener: Missouri defeated Central Michigan 27–24 in a narrow victory to start 1–0.
• Loss to Nebraska: The Tigers lost 42–10 to the #7 ranked Cornhuskers, exposing defensive weaknesses.
• Upset win: Missouri beat Kansas 28–24 in a rivalry game, showcasing resilience late in the fourth quarter.
• Defensive struggles: The team allowed an average of 24.6 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the Big 8 in defense.
• Offensive stats: Missouri averaged 18.4 points per game, relying heavily on quarterback Steve Wease’s passing.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1987 Missouri Tigers with the previous and following seasons reveals trends in performance and coaching effectiveness.

The data shows that Missouri remained stagnant during the late 1980s, failing to post a winning season or qualify for a bowl. The 1987 team mirrored the 1986 results, but the subsequent decline in 1988 led to Widenhofer’s dismissal. Missouri’s inability to improve offensively or defensively highlighted systemic issues in recruiting and player development.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season is significant as part of a transitional period for Missouri football, reflecting broader challenges in competitiveness within the Big 8. Though not a standout year, it provides context for understanding the program’s evolution and eventual turnaround in the 1990s.

• Coaching evaluation: The 1987 season was a make-or-break year for Woody Widenhofer, who was ultimately fired after 1988.
• Recruiting impact: Poor results affected Missouri’s ability to attract top-tier talent in the Midwest and nationally.
• Program morale: Back-to-back non-winning seasons lowered fan enthusiasm and attendance at Faurot Field.
• Conference parity: The Big 8 was highly competitive, with teams like Oklahoma and Nebraska dominating nationally.
• Historical context: Missouri did not reach a bowl game again until 1997, a decade later under coach Larry Smith.
• Legacy: The 1987 team is remembered as part of a rebuilding phase that preceded future improvements.

While the 1987 Missouri Tigers did not achieve on-field success, their season remains a case study in the challenges of mid-major programs striving for relevance in a competitive college football landscape.