The 1987 Texas Longhorns football team was coached by David McWilliams in his first year at the helm for the Horns….as he led them to a regular season record of 6 – 5….and defeated Pittsburgh in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.
The 1987 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team was coached by Spike Dykes….who also was in his 1st year leading the Red Raiders….as they compiled a 6 – 4 – 1 record (4–3–1 in the SWC)….while finishing 4th place in the conference….after outscoring opponents by a combined total of 315 to 266.
This game was played on Halloween Night, October 31, 1987 at Texas memorial Stadium in front of 74,984 fans….and the best player on the field was UT’s RB/WR/Kick Returner Eric Metcalf….who was in his first of 3 All SWC selection years….and wasthe 1987 Southwest Conference player of the year and a second team All-American….as he is the only player in Texas history to lead the team in all-purpose yards all four years….and still holds every school receiving record for a running back.
Metcalf also had a distinguished career in track and field….where he set the University of Texas at Austin’s long jump record (still current) at 8.44 m (27.7 ft)…..as he won the NCAA National Long Jump Championship in 1987 and 1988….and earned the distinction of being a five-time All-American in track…. and in 1988 competed in the USA Olympic Trials, finishing 8th overall.
