The 1987 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as an independent during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was led by first-year head coach Frank Beamer, who replaced Bill Dooley following the 1986 campaign.[1] The Hokies played their home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, finishing the season with a record of 2–9.[2]
The Virginia Tech Hokies (0–1) began their 1987 season with a 22–10 loss to the No. 10 ranked Clemson Tigers (1–0) on September 12 at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. The contest marked the official head coaching debut for Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech. The Tigers established control through their dominant ground game, accumulating 308 rushing yards as a team, led by Wesley McFadden's 226-yard performance. The Hokies' offense was heavily contained throughout the afternoon, finishing the game with a low 60 total offensive yards and committing three turnovers. The Tigers maintained a solid advantage across all four quarters to secure the two-score victory.
Virginia Tech’s first points of the game came at the 01:14 mark of the first quarter by kicker Chris Kinzer, who converted a 48-yard field goal to tie the game at 3–3. The only touchdown scored by the Hokies came late in the fourth quarter when Jon Jeffries provided an explosive play, returning a kickoff 92 yards for a special teams touchdown, which brought the score to 22–10 after the extra point.[15]
The individual offensive leaders for the Hokies were quarterback Erik Chapman, who was stifled by the Clemson defense, completing only 6 of 17 pass attempts for 37 yards while throwing two interceptions. Rich Fox led the team's rushing efforts with 9 carries for 38 net yards, and Karl Borden led all receivers with two receptions for a total of 26 yards.
Statistically, the Virginia Tech offense struggled to sustain drives and finished with a mere six total first downs. The offensive line surrendered a high number of sacks, as the Clemson pass rush recorded seven sacks for a loss of 56 yards. Defensively, the leading tackler was linebacker Victor Jones, who posted a team-high 16 total tackles and was responsible for forcing two fumbles. Other key defensive contributors included linebacker Greg Drew and defensive back Randy Cockrell, both of whom registered 14 total tackles. Cockrell was also credited with two pass breakups in the secondary.[15]
The Virginia Tech Hokies (0–2) dropped a hard-fought 14–13 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers (1–2) at Scott Stadium. The outcome hinged on a critical late-game decision, as the Hokies were denied the victory when a two-point conversion attempt in the final minutes came up just short of the goal line.
The Hokies fell behind early, trailing 14–0 in the first half after Virginia touchdowns. The Cavaliers first scored on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Scott Secules to Keith Mattioli, followed by a 1-yard Secules run. Virginia Tech responded before the break, completing a sustained 16-play drive that was capped by a 3-yard touchdown run from Earnie Jones with 2:35 left in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 14–7.
Following a scoreless third quarter dominated by defense, Virginia Tech mounted a dramatic final scoring drive. Quarterback Erik Chapman connected with Steve Johnson for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 1:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. Head coach Frank Beamer chose to bypass the extra point and go for the lead, but the two-point conversion attempt failed when Malcolm Blacken was stopped near the goal line, preserving the 14–13 final score for Virginia.
Chapman completed 13 of 26 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown, while the ground game was led by Jones's 60 yards rushing on 13 carries. Despite the loss, the team showed tenacity in third-down situations, converting 8 of 18 attempts, and the defense forced two turnovers (an interception and a fumble recovery) and recorded one sack for a loss of five yards.[16][17]
The Virginia Tech Hokies (0–3) dropped a heartbreaker, falling 35–21 to the undefeated and No. 4 Syracuse Orangemen (4–0) at Lane Stadium. The Hokies charged out to a surprising 21–7 halftime lead before the Orangemen stormed back with 28 unanswered points in the second half to secure the victory.
Virginia Tech struck first in the opening quarter with two passing touchdowns from quarterback Erik Chapman: an 8-yard score to tight end Steve Johnson, followed by a 9-yard scoring toss to wide receiver Myron Richardson. After Syracuse responded with a passing touchdown, the Hokies immediately extended their lead to 21–7 when Don Stokes recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown.
The Orangemen, led by quarterback Don McPherson, began their swift comeback in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns to tie the game. Syracuse took command in the final quarter with a decisive 51-yard touchdown run by Robert Drummond, and secured the win with a final scoring pass from McPherson.
The Orangemen demonstrated their strength by outgaining Virginia Tech 442 yards to 213 total yards. The Hokies' offense struggled severely on the ground, being held to a net loss of -1 rushing yard for the entire game. Chapman completed 15 of 32 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Richardson led the receiving effort with five catches for 99 yards and a score, while Johnson added five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Earnie Jones was the team's leading rusher with just 26 yards on seven carries. The team committed three turnovers, gave up six sacks, and was dominated in time of possession, 34:20 to 25:40.[16][18]
The Virginia Tech Hokies (1–3) secured their first victory of the season, and the first of Frank Beamer's legendary career, with a commanding 31–11 win over the Navy Midshipmen (0–4) at Lane Stadium. The Hokies' offense was efficient, and their defense was opportunistic, capitalizing on a key turnover for a score.
Virginia Tech opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run by fullback Sean Donnelly to take an early 7–0 lead. Navy responded in the second quarter with a 20-yard field goal from Frank Schenk. However, the Hokies answered with a lengthy 18-play drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Erik Chapman to wide receiver Myron Richardson, pushing the halftime lead to 14–3.
The Hokies extended their lead decisively in the third quarter when running back Jon Jeffries broke loose for a spectacular 56-yard touchdown run, making the score 21–3. Virginia Tech continued to build on the lead early in the final quarter with a Chris Kinzer field goal from 39 yards out. Moments later, the defense delivered the knockout blow: cornerback Randy Cockrell intercepted a pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown, giving the Hokies a commanding 31–3 lead.
Virginia Tech posted 267 yards of total offense, led by a highly productive rushing attack. The Hokies ran for 208 net yards on 43 attempts, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Jon Jeffries was the leading rusher with 128 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, highlighted by his 56-yard score. In the passing game, Chapman was efficient, completing 6 of 10 passes for 59 yards and one touchdown. Richardson was his primary target, hauling in four receptions for 38 yards and the touchdown. Navy dominated the total yardage statistics, racking up 390 total yards including 345 on the ground. However, the Hokie defense, which forced three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble recovery) on the day.[16][19]
The Virginia Tech Hokies (1–4) faced a difficult road test against South Carolina (3–2) and ultimately fell, 40–10, in front of a large crowd of 73,150 fans at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks' offense exploded for over 500 total yards, overwhelming the Hokies' defense.
Virginia Tech struggled to keep pace early, surrendering two first-quarter touchdowns to trail 14–0. The Hokies' offense found life in the second quarter, completing a sustained drive that was capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Earnie Jones, cutting the deficit to 14–7. After South Carolina responded with another touchdown run by Sterling Sharpe, the Hokies managed to add points as time expired in the half when Chris Kinzer drilled a 19-yard field goal, keeping the score at 21–10 heading into the break.
The second half was dominated by the Gamecocks' relentless scoring. Despite the Hokie defense forcing two key red-zone stops, South Carolina capitalized with two field goals in the third quarter. The final quarter saw the Gamecocks pull away completely with a 17-yard rushing touchdown by Sharpe, his third of the day, followed by a final field goal, sealing the 40–10 victory.
Virginia Tech was outmatched statistically, mustering only 187 yards of total offense compared to South Carolina's 502 yards. The Hokies' passing game struggled against the pressure, as quarterback Erik Chapman was sacked three times and completed 16 of 31 passes for 101 yards with two interceptions. The ground game was led by Earnie Jones, who finished with 21 net yards and the team's only touchdown on 8 carries, while Jon Jeffries chipped in 23 net yards on 8 attempts. Wide receiver Steve Johnson led the receiving corps with seven catches for 30 yards, and Karl Borden caught four passes for a team-high 45 yards. Despite the lopsided score, the Hokie defense forced three South Carolina fumbles and recovered all three, providing some bright spots in a tough road loss.[16][20]
Virginia Tech (1–5) built a pair of early leads but could not hold off East Carolina (4–3), falling 32–23 at Lane Stadium on October 17, 1987. The Hokies led 10–0 in the first quarter and 23–19 entering the fourth, but surrendered two late touchdowns as the Pirates completed a comeback win.
Tech opened the scoring with a 49-yard field goal by Chris Kinzer at the 10:46 mark of the first quarter. On the next possession, quarterback Erik Chapman connected with Myron Richardson for a 20-yard touchdown pass, capping a 6-play, 63-yard drive. Chapman added a 1-yard rushing touchdown midway through the second quarter to extend the lead to 17–7. After East Carolina narrowed the margin to 17–13 at halftime, Virginia Tech responded with a 7-play, 80-yard drive in the third quarter, ending in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Chapman to Karl Borden. That score gave the Hokies a 23–19 lead, but they were held scoreless in the final period.
Virginia Tech finished with 392 total yards of offense, including 228 rushing and 164 passing, and recorded 19 first downs. Jon Jeffries led the ground game with 129 yards on 27 carries, while Chapman contributed 60 rushing yards and completed 11 of 21 passes for 164 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Richardson caught 4 passes for 79 yards and a score, and Borden added a touchdown reception.
Defensively, Carter Wiley led the Hokies with 21 total tackles, followed by Scott Hill and Randy Cockrell with 15 each. Victor Jones forced a fumble, and the defense held East Carolina to 5-of-13 on third down conversions.[21]
Virginia Tech (1–6) fell in a high-scoring road contest to Tulane (4–3) by a final score of 57–38 on October 24, 1987, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The Hokies trailed 30–7 at halftime and 43–17 late in the third quarter before mounting a fourth-quarter rally that produced three touchdowns, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.
After falling behind 14–0 in the first quarter, Virginia Tech got on the board midway through the second when Erik Chapman threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Steve Johnson, capping a 9-play, 80-yard drive. In the third quarter, the Hokies added a 36-yard field goal by Chris Kinzer and a 1-yard touchdown run by Ralph Brown to cut the margin to 43–17. Virginia Tech’s fourth-quarter surge included a 1-yard touchdown run by Brown, a 15-yard touchdown pass from Chris Baucia to Myron Richardson, and a 1-yard touchdown run by Earnie Jones with 0:07 remaining.
The Hokies totaled 456 yards of offense, including 248 rushing and 208 passing yards, and recorded 26 first downs. Chapman completed 11 of 20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, while Baucia added 19 passing yards and a score in relief. Brown led the rushing attack with 110 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries. Johnson caught 4 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, and Richardson added 78 receiving yards and a score.
Despite the offensive output, Virginia Tech’s defense struggled to contain Tulane’s passing game and special teams. The Hokies allowed 480 total yards and gave up a kickoff return touchdown to open the second half. Defensively, Scott Hill led the team with 15 tackles and a sack, while Joe Ledbetter and Greg Drew each recorded a fumble recovery or sack. Virginia Tech was penalized 10 times for 85 yards and committed three turnovers in the loss.[21]
Virginia Tech (1–7) dropped its third straight game with a 14–7 loss to Kentucky (5–3) on October 31, 1987, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington. The Hokies trailed 14–0 after the first quarter and were unable to recover despite a fourth-quarter touchdown and a strong defensive effort that held the Wildcats scoreless over the final three quarters.
Kentucky struck early with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Dooley to Jimmie O’Neal on the opening drive, followed by a 52-yard touchdown run by Mark Higgs less than two minutes later. Virginia Tech’s defense tightened from that point forward, forcing punts and turnovers on six consecutive Kentucky possessions and holding the Wildcats to just 225 total yards.
Virginia Tech’s lone scoring play came late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Erik Chapman led an 8-play, 36-yard drive that culminated in a 2-yard touchdown pass to Earnie Jones with 1:45 remaining. Chris Kinzer added the extra point to cut the deficit to 14–7, but the Hokies were unable to regain possession before time expired.
The Hokies finished with 177 total yards of offense, including 47 rushing and 130 passing. Chapman completed 15 of 33 passes for 130 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, while being sacked seven times for a loss of 60 yards. Earnie Jones led the rushing attack with 63 yards on 15 carries and added the team’s only touchdown reception. Steve Johnson and Karl Borden combined for 58 receiving yards on five catches.
Defensively, Virginia Tech recorded three sacks and held Kentucky to just 88 passing yards and 1-of-13 on third down conversions. Linebacker Scott Hill led the team with 12 tackles, while Greg Drew added 11 and forced a fumble. Roger Brown recorded an interception, and Nate Bradley contributed a 9-yard sack in the fourth quarter.[21]
Virginia Tech (2–8) was shut out by No. 18 West Virginia (6–3–1) in a 35–0 road loss on November 14, 1987, at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown. The Hokies were unable to generate sustained offense and committed five turnovers, while the Mountaineers scored in every quarter and controlled the game from start to finish.
West Virginia opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run by A.B. Brown and a 2-yard touchdown pass from Major Harris to Keith Winn, taking a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. The Hokies’ defense held WVU scoreless for most of the second quarter until Harris added a 1-yard touchdown run with 0:09 remaining before halftime. Virginia Tech trailed 21–0 at the break and failed to mount a scoring threat in the second half, as West Virginia added two more touchdowns — a 1-yard run by Undra Johnson in the third quarter and a 2-yard run by Brown in the fourth.
Virginia Tech managed just 164 total yards of offense, including 80 rushing and 84 passing, and recorded only 8 first downs. Quarterback Erik Chapman completed 7 of 18 passes for 84 yards and 3 interceptions, while rushing for 24 yards. Jon Jeffries led the team with 45 rushing yards on 10 carries, and Steve Johnson caught 3 passes for 41 yards.
Defensively, the Hokies were led by Scott Hill with 14 total tackles, followed by Victor Jones with 13 and Greg Drew with 12. Randy Cockrell added 2 pass breakups, and the unit forced one fumble and recorded one sack. Despite the effort, Virginia Tech allowed 351 total yards and 22 first downs, while West Virginia converted 9 of 15 third downs and held possession for over 35 minutes.[21]
Virginia Tech (2–9) closed its 1987 season with a 21–20 victory over Cincinnati (4–7) on November 21 at Lane Stadium. The Hokies built a 14–0 lead through three quarters and held off a furious fourth-quarter comeback by the Bearcats, who scored three touchdowns in the final period but failed on a two-point conversion attempt that would have given them the lead.
The Hokies opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 37-yard touchdown run by Sean Donnelly, capping a 6-play, 61-yard drive. In the second quarter, Jon Jeffries added a 3-yard touchdown run to finish a 12-play, 80-yard possession. Virginia Tech missed a field goal later in the half but maintained a 14–0 lead at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, Cincinnati cut the lead to 14–7 with a 1-yard touchdown run by Al McKinney early in the fourth. Virginia Tech responded quickly, as Jeffries broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run to restore the two-score margin. The Bearcats answered with a 18-yard touchdown pass from Danny McCoin to Roosevelt Mukes and a 2-yard touchdown run by McKinney with 3:27 remaining, but their two-point conversion attempt failed, preserving the Hokies’ 21–20 lead.
Virginia Tech finished with 329 total yards of offense, including 263 rushing yards on 55 attempts. Jeffries led the way with 160 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries. Chapman completed 5 of 7 passes for 66 yards, with Steve Johnson catching 3 passes for 53 yards. The Hokies recorded 22 first downs and held possession for 31:30.
Defensively, Scott Hill led Virginia Tech with 18 total tackles and a sack, while Randy Cockrell added 12 tackles and 2 quarterback hurries. Eddie Neel forced a fumble, and Chuck Watson recorded a sack. The Hokies held Cincinnati to 3-of-7 on third downs and blocked a field goal attempt in the third quarter.[21]
↑ "Virginia nips Tech". Greensboro News & Record. September 20, 1987. Retrieved February 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
↑ "Orange rallies on road". Press and Sun-Bulletin. September 27, 1987. Retrieved February 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
↑ "Hokies capture first win, 31–11". The Danville Register. October 4, 1987. Retrieved November 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
↑ "Ellis passes Gamecocks over Virginia Tech 40–10". The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. October 11, 1987. Retrieved February 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
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