What Is 1987 Ole Miss Rebels football team

Overview

The 1987 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by second-year head coach Billy Brewer, the team competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and played its home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

The Rebels finished the season with a 6–6 overall record, marking a slight improvement from their 4–7 record the previous year. Despite a balanced performance, they failed to qualify for a bowl game, a streak that would continue until 1992.

• Record: The team finished with a 6–6 overall record, including a 4–4 mark in SEC conference play.
• Head coach:Billy Brewer was in his second season, having taken over the program in 1983 after serving as head coach at Southeast Missouri State.
• Stadium: All home games were played at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 50,500 at the time.
• Conference: Ole Miss competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), facing rivals such as LSU, Alabama, and Tennessee.
• Bowl eligibility: With a 6–6 record, the Rebels were not invited to a bowl game, as bowl selections prioritized teams with winning records during that era.

Season Performance

The 1987 campaign featured a mix of competitive losses and hard-fought wins, reflecting the team's transitional phase under Brewer. The offense relied on a balanced attack, while the defense struggled at times against high-powered SEC opponents.

• Season opener: Ole Miss opened the season with a 22–15 win over Memphis State, showing early promise.
• SEC play: The Rebels defeated Vanderbilt (20–14) and Kentucky (27–10), but lost close games to Alabama (20–17) and LSU (24–21).
• Key player: Quarterback Brett Lee led the passing attack, throwing for 1,432 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season.
• Rushing leader: Running back Ray Buchanan rushed for 562 yards and 4 touchdowns, serving as a key offensive weapon.
• Defensive effort: The defense recorded 28 sacks and forced 20 turnovers, but allowed an average of 20.8 points per game.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1987 season compares to surrounding years in terms of record, coaching, and bowl participation:

The 1987 season marked a turning point in consistency, as Ole Miss achieved a .500 record for the first time since 1983. While still lacking postseason play, the improved record signaled progress under Brewer’s leadership. The team’s ability to compete in the tough SEC environment laid groundwork for future success, culminating in a bowl appearance in 1989.

Why It Matters

The 1987 Ole Miss Rebels season is notable for its role in the program’s rebuilding phase during the late 1980s. Though not a championship contender, the team demonstrated resilience and incremental improvement under a new coaching regime.

• Program stability: The 6–6 record helped stabilize the program after several losing seasons, boosting morale and recruiting.
• Coaching development: Billy Brewer’s second season showed growth, eventually leading to a 10-year tenure with multiple bowl appearances.
• SEC competitiveness: Going 4–4 in conference play proved Ole Miss could compete with traditional powerhouses.
• Recruiting impact: Improved performance helped attract talent, including future NFL players like Ray Buchanan.
• Stadium legacy: Vaught–Hemingway Stadium remained a key asset, drawing strong home support despite national obscurity.
• Historical context: This season preceded the NCAA sanctions and turmoil of the early 1990s, making it a quiet but important chapter in Ole Miss football history.

The 1987 campaign may not be remembered for trophies or records, but it represented a steady step forward during a rebuilding era. For fans and historians, it underscores the value of consistency in college football’s long-term success cycles.