The 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth year under head coach George Perles, the Spartans compiled a 9âÂÂ2âÂÂ1 record (7âÂÂ0âÂÂ1 in conference games), outscored opponents by a total of 241 to 136, and won the Big Ten championship. They defeated USC in the 1988 Rose Bowl and were ranked No. 8 in the final AP and UPI polls. The Spartans gained an average of 218.3 rushing yards and 88.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they held opponents to an average of 56.3 rushing yards and 150.5 passing yards per game.
Running back Lorenzo White tallied 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 322 attempts, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. He was a consensus All-American, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, and won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's most valuable player. He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Other statistical leaders included quarterback Bobby McAllister (67 of 132 passing, 50.8%, for 1,042 yards), wide receiver Andre Rison (32 receptions, 694 yards, 21.7 yards per reception), and linebacker Todd Krumm (nine interceptions). Seven Michigan State players received first-team honors on the 1987 All-Big Ten Conference football team: White; Krumm; offensive tackle Tony Mandarich; center Pat Shurmur; linebacker Percy Snow; defensive back John Miller; and punter Greg Montgomery. Rison was named to the second team. Mandarich was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and head coach George Perles was selected by the conference coaches as the Big Ten Coach of the Year.
The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans played the first night game ever at the stadium on September 7, 1987.
The following players were selected in the 1988 NFL draft. Team members Tony Mandarich, Andre Rison and Percy Snow were drafted in later years.