1987 NCAA Division II National Champions

HISTORY 1987 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Led by an offense that averaged 430.4 yards per game, the Troy football team won its last 12 games to claim the 1987 Division II national title.

The Trojans got off to 0-1-1 start, dropping an 18-17 decision on the road at Southeast Missouri in the opener. Ted Clem missed a 42-yard field goal in the final minute which would have given the Trojans the lead. Troy followed its tough opener with a 17-17 tie with Nicholls State. On a rain-soaked field, Clem missed another clutch kick, this time a 40-yarder with a 1:39 left. Troy's offense showed its strength in the home opener against West Texas with a 45-0 rout. Mike Turk led the offense with 50 yards on six carries as the offense racked up 356 yards.

The Trojans picked up some confidence in pulling out a 24-17 win over Livingston on the road. The Troy offense picked up 349 yards of total offense, highlighted by Titus Dixon's 63-yard touchdown reception from Turk in the second quarter. The offense continued to roll for Troy the next week, racking up a then school-record 621 yards in a 44-6 win over West Georgia. Backup quarterback Bob Godsey came on in relief of Turk and led the Troy offensive attack with 88 yards on six carries, including a 66-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans put up more than 40 points their next two games to extend their winning streak to five. Troy went on the road and demolished nationally ranked and previously undefeated Valdosta State, 44-7 and followed that with a 48-21 victory over Mississippi College, as Thomas Miller and Al Harris both ran back interceptions for touchdowns. The Trojans scored 30 or more in the next three games to capture eight in a row. Tony Jackson rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries as Troy defeated Delta State, 38-6. The next week Turk guided the offense, going 7-of-10 for 112 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 67 yards on seven carries and touchdown, as Troy blew out North Alabama, 38-3.

The Trojans continued their offensive ways in a 31-21 win over UT-Martin. Troy broke the school-record for the second time during the season, rolling up 633 yards in the win. Turk was 11-of-18 passing for 262 yards with two touchdowns and a 97-yard TD pass to Dixon. With the Gulf South Conference title on the line, Troy defeated arch-rival Jacksonville State, 14-9, to earn a berth in the Division II playoffs. Turk led the offense with 101 yards rushing, with Jackson adding 78.

Troy ran its win streak to 10 games with a 45-14 win over Winston-Salem State in the quarterfinals. The Troy offense picked up 383 yards rushing, led by Jackson's 93 yards on 12 carries.

The defense stepped up in the semifinals, causing eight turnovers, four interceptions and four fumbles, as Troy defeated Central Florida, 31-10, to advance to the title game. Turk led the offense again, rushing for two touchdowns and passing for another, leading the Troy rushing attack with 78 yards on 13 carries.

The Trojans would not be denied in the national title game, rallying from a 10-3 halftime deficit to pull out a 31-17 win over Portland State and their second national title in four years. Turk set a championship game record with 190 yards on 25 carries and Dixon ran the reverse four times for 111 yards, and one 49-yard TD.

Turk was named to the All-America team following his senior season and was runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Date Opponent Score Sept. 5 at SE Missouri L, 18-17 Sept. 12 at Nicholls State T, 17-17 Sept. 19 West Texas State W, 45-0 Sept. 26 at Livingston W, 24-17 Oct. 3 West Georgia W, 44-6 Oct. 10 Valdosta State W, 44-7 Oct. 17 Mississippi College W, 48-21 Oct. 24 at Delta State W, 38-6 Oct. 31 No. Alabama (HC) W, 38-3 Nov. 7 at UT-Martin W, 31-21 Nov. 14 Jacksonville State W, 14-9

Quarterfinals

Nov. 21 Winston-Salem W, 45-14

Semifinals

Nov. 28 at Central Florida W, 31-10

Championship

Dec. 5 $ Portland State W, 31-17

$ - played Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, Ala.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Rushing Player Att Yards Tony Jackson 176 938 Mike Turk 163 930

Passing Player A-C-I Yards TD Mike Turk 190-87-7 1460 10 Bob Godsey 47-24-2 392 1

Receiving Player

Catches Yards TD Al Harris 41 654 6 Titus Dixon 32 651 5 Bo Pittman 2 12 0 Robert Carter 7 89 0

Interceptions Player Al Harris Doug Parris Int. Yards 3 21 3 11