What Is 1987 Ohio Bobcats football team

Overview

The 1987 Ohio Bobcats football team represented Ohio University during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the team struggled to find consistency under head coach Cleve Bryant, who was in his third year at the helm.

The Bobcats finished the season with a disappointing 2–9 overall record, including a 1–7 mark in conference play. Despite the tough season, the team showed flashes of potential, particularly in a narrow victory over Ball State.

• Head coach Cleve Bryant led the team in his third season, aiming to rebuild the program after previous losing campaigns, but failed to improve the team’s win-loss record significantly.
• The Bobcats played their home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio, a venue that has hosted Ohio football since 1929 and seats over 24,000 fans.
• Ohio finished the season 2–9 overall and 1–7 in MAC play, placing near the bottom of the conference standings.
• Their only conference win came against Ball State, 24–21, a hard-fought victory that provided a rare highlight in an otherwise difficult season.
• The team struggled offensively, averaging just 17.5 points per game, while the defense allowed an average of 31.8 points per contest.

Season Performance

The 1987 campaign was marked by inconsistency and challenges on both sides of the ball. The Bobcats faced a tough schedule, including matchups against stronger MAC programs and non-conference opponents.

• Offensive struggles: The team’s offense averaged only 312 total yards per game, hampered by inexperience and turnover issues throughout the season.
• Defensive weaknesses: The Bobcats allowed 31.8 points per game, the second-worst in the MAC, indicating significant issues in stopping opposing attacks.
• Home record: Ohio won just one of five home games, defeating Ball State but losing close contests to Toledo and Central Michigan.
• Road performance: The team went 1–4 away from home in MAC play, with their only win coming at Kent State, a 24–21 decision.
• Non-conference results: Ohio lost all three non-conference games, including defeats to Pittsburgh and Bowling Green, highlighting the gap between them and more competitive programs.
• Turnover margin: The Bobcats committed 24 turnovers compared to forcing only 12, a critical factor in their close losses and lack of momentum.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1987 season can be better understood by comparing it to previous and subsequent years in terms of performance, coaching, and conference standing.

The table illustrates a downward trend in 1987, as the team regressed in both overall and conference performance compared to previous years. However, the modest improvement in 1988 and a strong 1989 season under new leadership signaled a turnaround was possible despite the struggles of the late 1980s.

Why It Matters

While the 1987 season was largely forgettable in terms of wins and losses, it played a role in shaping the future of the Ohio football program. The continued struggles under Cleve Bryant ultimately led to changes in leadership and philosophy.

• The poor record in 1987 contributed to Bryant’s dismissal after the 1989 season, despite a brief rebound in performance.
• The season highlighted the need for improved recruiting and player development at Ohio University to compete in the MAC.
• It underscored the importance of offensive consistency, as the Bobcats failed to score more than 20 points in six games.
• The team’s struggles brought attention to financial and facility limitations that impacted competitiveness during that era.
• Young players who saw action in 1987 gained experience that helped fuel a surprising 7–4 season in 1989.
• The 1987 season serves as a reminder of the ups and downs inherent in college football rebuilding cycles, especially at mid-major programs.

Though not a banner year, the 1987 Ohio Bobcats season remains a footnote in the broader narrative of the program’s evolution, illustrating the challenges of sustained success at the Division I level.