What Is 1987 NC State Wolfpack football

Overview

The 1987 NC State Wolfpack football season marked the program's 87th year of competition and the second under head coach Dick Sheridan. Competing in the NCAA Division I-A and part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the team aimed to build on a modest 4–7 record from the previous season.

Playing their home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Wolfpack showed improvement in 1987, finishing with a winning record of 6–5. While they did not qualify for a bowl game, the season included notable victories over regional rivals and laid groundwork for future success under Sheridan’s leadership.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 6–5 overall record, a significant improvement from the 4–7 mark in 1986.
• Head Coach:Dick Sheridan was in his second year, having taken over the program in 1986 after a challenging start.
• Conference: As a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), NC State competed against teams like Clemson, Florida State, and Maryland.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at Carter–Finley Stadium, which has a capacity of over 57,000 and remains the team’s home to this day.
• Key Wins: The Wolfpack defeated East Carolina (28–14) and Duke (24–17), showcasing resilience in close matchups.

Season Performance

The 1987 campaign featured a balanced mix of offensive production and defensive effort, with the team showing consistency in key stretches. While not dominant in any single statistical category, NC State demonstrated improvement in turnover margin and red-zone efficiency compared to the prior year.

• Offense: The Wolfpack averaged 20.1 points per game, led by quarterback Erik Kramer, who threw for 1,512 yards and 9 touchdowns.
• Defense: NC State allowed 20.9 points per game, with standout performances from linebacker Reggie Barlow and defensive end Eric Fisk.
• Rushing Game: Running back Dexter Jackson led the ground attack with 687 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on 147 carries.
• Passing Game: Erik Kramer completed 56.7% of his passes and threw only 6 interceptions, showing improved decision-making.
• Turnovers: The team committed 18 turnovers (10 fumbles lost, 8 interceptions), a slight improvement from 1986’s 22.
• Special Teams: Kicker John Davis made 9 of 13 field goals, including a long of 45 yards, providing reliable scoring support.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1987 season compared to the previous and following years in key performance metrics:

The 1987 season represented a transitional year—better than 1986 but not quite reaching the heights of 1988. Despite the identical 3–4 ACC record, the overall improvement in point differential and player development signaled progress under Sheridan’s system.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season was a building block for NC State’s football resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Though unremarkable in the national spotlight, it helped establish coaching credibility and player continuity that would lead to greater success.

• Coaching Stability: Dick Sheridan’s second season proved he could improve the program, leading to a 10-win season in 1988.
• Player Development: Quarterback Erik Kramer matured into a reliable starter, later playing in the NFL.
• Rivalry Success: Wins over East Carolina and Duke preserved regional pride and boosted fan morale.
• Recruiting Boost: Improved performance helped attract better recruits in subsequent classes.
• Foundation for 1988: The 6–5 record set the stage for a 7–4 season in 1988, NC State’s best in nearly a decade.
• Stadium Growth: Continued strong attendance at Carter–Finley supported future stadium expansions.

While the 1987 NC State Wolfpack didn’t achieve national acclaim, their season was a crucial step in restoring competitiveness to a program with a rich history.