The 1987 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level, began in August 1987, and concluded with the NCAA Division II Football Championship on December 12, 1987, at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, hosted by the University of North Alabama. The Troy State Trojans defeated the Portland State Vikings, 31–17, to win their second Division II national title.
The Harlon Hill Trophy was awarded to Johnny Bailey, running back from Texas A&I.
Conference changes and new programs One program departed Division II for Division I-AA prior to the season.
School 1986 Conference 1987 Conference Central State (OH) Independent NAIA Independent Franklin (IN) Heartland NAIA Independent Howard Payne Lone Star NAIA Independent Northern Michigan D-II Independent GLIAC Northwood GLIAC NAIA Independent Towson State Independent I-AA Independent
Conference standings
Conference summaries
Conference ChampionsCentral Intercollegiate Athletic Association – Winston-Salem State Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Northern Michigan Gulf South Conference – Troy State Heartland Collegiate Conference – Butler Lone Star Conference – Angelo State and Texas A&I Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association – Central Missouri State and Southeast Missouri State North Central Conference – Minnesota State–Mankato Northern California Athletic Conference – UC Davis Northern Intercollegiate Conference – Minnesota–Morris Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference – Indiana (PA) Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference – Colorado Mesa South Atlantic Conference – Gardner–Webb Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Alabama A&M and Tuskegee Western Football League – Portland State
Postseason
The 1987 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs were the 15th single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college football. The championship game was held at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, for the second time.
Playoff bracket
See also 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season 1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season 1987 NCAA Division III football season 1987 NAIA Division I football season 1987 NAIA Division II football season
References