What Is 1987 Virginia Tech Hokies football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Virginia Tech Hokies football team finished with a 2-9 record under head coach Frank Damon, playing as an independent in Division I-A. Their home games were held at Lane Stadium, and the season marked one of the program's more difficult campaigns before future rebuilding.

Key Facts

The 1987 Virginia Tech Hokies finished with a 2-9 overall record
Head coach Frank Damon was in his second season leading the team
The team played as an independent, not belonging to a conference
Home games were held at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia
The Hokies were outscored 330 to 178 over the course of the season

Overview

The 1987 Virginia Tech Hokies football season was a challenging year for the program, marked by a struggling offense and defensive lapses. Competing as an independent in NCAA Division I-A, the team failed to secure a winning record, finishing with only two victories against nine losses.

Under the leadership of second-year head coach Frank Damon, the Hokies faced a tough non-conference schedule that included matchups against ranked opponents. Despite limited success on the field, the season laid groundwork for future improvements that would eventually lead to the program's rise in the 1990s.

Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, served as the home field for the 1987 Hokies, hosting six of their 11 games that season.
The team was outscored 330 to 178 over the course of the season, averaging just 16.1 points per game while allowing 30.0.
Virginia Tech opened the season with a 31-10 loss to No. 11 Tennessee, setting a difficult tone for the campaign.
Their first win came in Week 4, a 24-17 victory over VMI, ending a four-game losing streak to start the year.
The final win of the season was a 27-24 upset of Temple in November, marking their only conference-level win despite being an independent.

Season Structure and Performance

The 1987 campaign followed the standard NCAA Division I-A schedule format, featuring a mix of in-state rivals, regional opponents, and national programs. Virginia Tech did not belong to a conference, which influenced scheduling and postseason ineligibility.

Division I-A Status: Virginia Tech competed at the highest level of college football, though without conference affiliation, they were ineligible for a conference title or bowl bid.
Non-Conference Schedule: The Hokies faced opponents from the SEC, Big East, and independent programs, including games against Tennessee, West Virginia, and Boston College.
Home Record: The team went 2-3 at Lane Stadium, winning against VMI and Temple but losing close games to William & Mary and East Carolina.
Road Struggles: On the road, Virginia Tech went 0-6, with losses to ranked teams like West Virginia (35-21) and Boston College (41-27).
Offensive Output: The Hokies averaged only 16.1 points per game, ranking near the bottom nationally in scoring offense.
Defensive Challenges: They allowed 30.0 points per game, with five opponents scoring 30 or more points, including a 52-17 loss to Miami (FL).

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1987 season to other years highlights its place as a low point before future progress.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Conference	Bowl Game
1987	2-9	Frank Damon	Independent	None
1993	9-3	Frank Beamer	Independent	Yes (Independence Bowl)
1999	11-1	Frank Beamer	Big East	Yes (Sugar Bowl, national title game)
1973	2-9	Don Strock	SoCon	None
1984	7-4	Bill Dooley	Independent	Yes (Peach Bowl)

The table illustrates how the 1987 season mirrored earlier struggles but preceded a major turnaround. While 1987 shared a 2-9 record with 1973, the program evolved significantly by the mid-1990s under Frank Beamer, who took over in 1987 but did not coach the full season. The lack of bowl eligibility and conference affiliation in 1987 contrasted sharply with later success.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season is a footnote in Virginia Tech’s broader football history but offers insight into the program’s resilience and long-term development. It marked the beginning of Frank Beamer’s tenure, who was hired late in the season and would later transform the Hokies into a national power.

Transition Year: 1987 was the final season before Frank Beamer officially took over as head coach in 1988, beginning a 29-year legacy.
Program Rebuilding: The poor record underscored the need for structural changes in recruiting, training, and game strategy.
Independent Status: Without conference ties, Virginia Tech had scheduling disadvantages and limited postseason opportunities.
Recruiting Impact: The losing record made it harder to attract top talent, a challenge Beamer gradually overcame.
Stadium Development: Lane Stadium underwent expansions in the 1990s, partly in response to growing interest post-1987.
Cultural Shift: The struggles of 1987 emphasized the importance of consistency, leading to a culture of discipline and special teams excellence.

Though not a successful season on the field, 1987 was pivotal in prompting change. The hiring of Frank Beamer signaled a new era, ultimately leading to sustained success, conference realignment, and national prominence by the late 1990s.