1988 NCAA Division I-A football season
Encyclopedia
The 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Notre Dame
winning the national championship. The Fighting Irish won the title via a 34-21 defeat of previously unbeaten West Virginia
in the Fiesta Bowl
in Tempe, Arizona.
Notre Dame had several notable victories this season, including a 19–17 victory over #9 Michigan
, won on a last drive field goal, which started off the championship season. The season's marquee game was a 31–30 victory over #1 Miami
. Entering the game, Miami had a 36 game regular season winning streak, 20 straight road victories and a 16 game winning streak overall. This year was also the first time Notre Dame and USC
had ever met when ranked #1 and #2. Most notable about this game is Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz
's decision to leave behind two of his stars, Tony Brooks and Ricky Watters
because they were late, cementing discipline as the main theme of this championship team.
This year's edition of the UCLA-USC rivalry
game featured a second ranked USC and a fourth ranked UCLA
. For the second year in a row the Rose Bowl berth was on the line but for USC it also had national title implications as the rivalry game with Notre Dame was the following week. USC beat UCLA but lost to Notre Dame, and then lost to Michigan in the Rose Bowl
.
Oklahoma State
running back
Barry Sanders
ran the Wing T offense all the way to the Heisman Trophy
and numerous rushing records.
1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
The 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1988 college football season. The Irish, coached by Lou Holtz, ended the season with 12 wins and no losses, winning the national championship...
winning the national championship. The Fighting Irish won the title via a 34-21 defeat of previously unbeaten West Virginia
1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the regular season with a 11–0 and traveled to the Fiesta Bowl to decide the National Championship, where they lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34–21.-1988 Schedule:-1988 season:...
in the Fiesta Bowl
1989 Fiesta Bowl
The 1989 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, played on January 2, 1989, was the 18th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game featured the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the West Virginia Mountaineers....
in Tempe, Arizona.
Notre Dame had several notable victories this season, including a 19–17 victory over #9 Michigan
1988 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1988 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1988 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium...
, won on a last drive field goal, which started off the championship season. The season's marquee game was a 31–30 victory over #1 Miami
1988 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 1988 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1988 NCAA College Football season. It would be Jimmy Johnson’s final season as the Hurricanes head coach.-Schedule & Results:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:-External links:*...
. Entering the game, Miami had a 36 game regular season winning streak, 20 straight road victories and a 16 game winning streak overall. This year was also the first time Notre Dame and USC
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football rivalries
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football rivalries refers to rivalries of the University of Notre Dame in the sport of college football. Notre Dame rivalries encompass many teams. Because the Fighting Irish are independent of a football conference, they play a more national schedule, and have thus...
had ever met when ranked #1 and #2. Most notable about this game is Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
's decision to leave behind two of his stars, Tony Brooks and Ricky Watters
Ricky Watters
Richard "Ricky" James Watters is a former American football running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. Watters played college football at the University of Notre Dame where he played wide receiver on the...
because they were late, cementing discipline as the main theme of this championship team.
This year's edition of the UCLA-USC rivalry
UCLA-USC rivalry
The UCLA–USC rivalry is the American college rivalry between the UCLA Bruins sports teams of the University of California, Los Angeles and the USC Trojans sports teams of the University of Southern California ....
game featured a second ranked USC and a fourth ranked UCLA
1988 UCLA Bruins football team
The 1988 UCLA Bruins football team represented UCLA in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-1988 Team Players in the NFL:The following players were claimed in the 1989 NFL Draft.-External links:...
. For the second year in a row the Rose Bowl berth was on the line but for USC it also had national title implications as the rivalry game with Notre Dame was the following week. USC beat UCLA but lost to Notre Dame, and then lost to Michigan in the Rose Bowl
1989 Rose Bowl
The 1989 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on Monday January 2, 1989 because New Year's Day was on a Sunday. It was the 75th Rose Bowl Game, and also the 100th anniversary of the Tournament of Roses parade. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the USC Trojans 22-14. Michigan FB Leroy...
.
Oklahoma State
1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team
The 1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented the Oklahoma State University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Barry Sanders was in his junior year for the Cowboys.-Schedule:...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Sanders left the game just short of the all-time rushing record...
ran the Wing T offense all the way to the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
and numerous rushing records.
Conference standings
#1 and #2 progress
| WEEKS | #1 | #2 | Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE | Nebraska 1988 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team The 1988 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:... |
Miami 1988 Miami Hurricanes football team The 1988 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1988 NCAA College Football season. It would be Jimmy Johnson’s final season as the Hurricanes head coach.-Schedule & Results:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:-External links:*... 31, Florida St. 0 |
Sep 3 | |
| 1 | Miami | Nebraska | UCLA 1988 UCLA Bruins football team The 1988 UCLA Bruins football team represented UCLA in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-1988 Team Players in the NFL:The following players were claimed in the 1989 NFL Draft.-External links:... 41, Nebraska 28 |
Sep 10 |
| 2-6 | Miami | UCLA | Notre Dame 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team The 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1988 college football season. The Irish, coached by Lou Holtz, ended the season with 12 wins and no losses, winning the national championship... 31, Miami 30 |
Oct 15 |
| 7-8 | UCLA | Notre Dame | 34, UCLA 30 | Oct 29 |
| 9-12 | Notre Dame | USC | Notre Dame 27, USC 10 | Nov 26 |
| 13-14 | Notre Dame | Miami | Notre Dame 34, West Virginia 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team The 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the regular season with a 11–0 and traveled to the Fiesta Bowl to decide the National Championship, where they lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34–21.-1988 Schedule:-1988 season:... 21 |
Jan 1 |
Bowl games
- Rose Bowl1989 Rose BowlThe 1989 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on Monday January 2, 1989 because New Year's Day was on a Sunday. It was the 75th Rose Bowl Game, and also the 100th anniversary of the Tournament of Roses parade. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the USC Trojans 22-14. Michigan FB Leroy...
: #11 Michigan1988 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1988 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1988 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium...
22, #5 USC 14 - Sugar Bowl1989 Sugar BowlThe 1989 Sugar Bowl was the 57th edition of the annual game. It featured the fourth ranked and the seventh ranked Auburn Tigers. The game was a defensive slugfest, with the final score Florida State 13, Auburn 7....
: #4 13, #7 Auburn1988 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1988 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 10–2 record and won their second of three straight SEC titles, sharing it with LSU. LSU handed Auburn their only conference...
7 - Cotton Bowl Classic: #9 UCLA1988 UCLA Bruins football teamThe 1988 UCLA Bruins football team represented UCLA in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-1988 Team Players in the NFL:The following players were claimed in the 1989 NFL Draft.-External links:...
17, #8 Arkansas 3 - Fiesta Bowl1989 Fiesta BowlThe 1989 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, played on January 2, 1989, was the 18th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game featured the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the West Virginia Mountaineers....
: #1 Notre Dame1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football teamThe 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1988 college football season. The Irish, coached by Lou Holtz, ended the season with 12 wins and no losses, winning the national championship...
34, #3 West Virginia1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football teamThe 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the regular season with a 11–0 and traveled to the Fiesta Bowl to decide the National Championship, where they lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34–21.-1988 Schedule:-1988 season:...
21: #13 Clemson 13, #10 Oklahoma1988 Oklahoma Sooners football teamThe 1988 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented Oklahoma University during the 1988 college football season. It was Barry Switzer's final year as head coach.-Schedule:-Coaching staff:*Head Coach: Barry Switzer...
6: #2 Miami (FL)1988 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1988 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1988 NCAA College Football season. It would be Jimmy Johnson’s final season as the Hurricanes head coach.-Schedule & Results:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:-External links:*...
23, #6 Nebraska1988 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1988 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
3 - Hall of Fame Bowl1989 Hall of Fame BowlThe 1989 edition to the Hall of Fame Bowl featured the 17th ranked , and the 16th ranked LSU Tigers. It was the third edition to the Hall of Fame Bowl....
: #17 23, #16 LSU1988 LSU Tigers football teamThe 1988 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The LSU offense scored 249 points while the defense allowed 204 points.-Season:...
10: #19 Georgia 34, Michigan State1988 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1988 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by George Perles. The team finished second in the Big Ten...
27 - Sun Bowl1988 Sun BowlThe 1988 John Hancock Sun Bowl, part of the 1988 bowl game season, took place on December 24, 1988, at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference , and the , competing as a football independent...
: #20 Alabama 29, 28 - Holiday Bowl1988 Holiday BowlThe 1988 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 30, 1988 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the 12th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys, and the 15th ranked Wyoming Cowboys....
: #12 Oklahoma State1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football teamThe 1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented the Oklahoma State University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Barry Sanders was in his junior year for the Cowboys.-Schedule:...
62, #15 Wyoming1988 Wyoming Cowboys football teamThe Wyoming Cowboys represented the University of Wyoming in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Cowboys offense scored 511 points, while the defense allowed 280 points...
14 - Freedom Bowl1988 Freedom BowlThe 1988 Freedom Bowl pitted former Mountain States Conference rivals and against one another for the first time in a bowl game. It was only the second time the two teams met one another in football since the Buffaloes joined the Big 8. BYU came into the game in a bit of a tailspin after losing...
: 20, 17: 28, Iowa1988 Iowa Hawkeyes football teamThe 1988 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1988 college football season.-Schedule:...
23: Florida 14, 10: Indiana1988 Indiana Hoosiers football teamThe 1988 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Season:*In the Old Brass Spittoon, the Hoosiers lost to Michigan State by a score of 38-12....
34, South Carolina1988 South Carolina Gamecocks football teamThe 1988 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina as an independent team in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season finishing with an 8-4 record after losing to the Indiana Hoosiers in the 1988 Liberty Bowl...
10: #18 24, #14 22: 38, 18: 35, 30
Final AP Poll
- Notre Dame1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football teamThe 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1988 college football season. The Irish, coached by Lou Holtz, ended the season with 12 wins and no losses, winning the national championship...
- Miami (FL)1988 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1988 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1988 NCAA College Football season. It would be Jimmy Johnson’s final season as the Hurricanes head coach.-Schedule & Results:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:-External links:*...
- Michigan1988 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1988 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1988 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium...
- West Virginia1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football teamThe 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the regular season with a 11–0 and traveled to the Fiesta Bowl to decide the National Championship, where they lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34–21.-1988 Schedule:-1988 season:...
- UCLA1988 UCLA Bruins football teamThe 1988 UCLA Bruins football team represented UCLA in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-1988 Team Players in the NFL:The following players were claimed in the 1989 NFL Draft.-External links:...
- Southern California
- Auburn1988 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1988 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 10–2 record and won their second of three straight SEC titles, sharing it with LSU. LSU handed Auburn their only conference...
- Clemson
- Nebraska1988 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1988 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
- Oklahoma State1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football teamThe 1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented the Oklahoma State University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Barry Sanders was in his junior year for the Cowboys.-Schedule:...
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma1988 Oklahoma Sooners football teamThe 1988 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented Oklahoma University during the 1988 college football season. It was Barry Switzer's final year as head coach.-Schedule:-Coaching staff:*Head Coach: Barry Switzer...
- Georgia
- Alabama
- LSU1988 LSU Tigers football teamThe 1988 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The LSU offense scored 249 points while the defense allowed 204 points.-Season:...
- Indiana1988 Indiana Hoosiers football teamThe 1988 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Season:*In the Old Brass Spittoon, the Hoosiers lost to Michigan State by a score of 38-12....
Final Coaches Poll
- Notre Dame1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football teamThe 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1988 college football season. The Irish, coached by Lou Holtz, ended the season with 12 wins and no losses, winning the national championship...
- Miami (FL)1988 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1988 Miami Hurricanes represented the University of Miami in the 1988 NCAA College Football season. It would be Jimmy Johnson’s final season as the Hurricanes head coach.-Schedule & Results:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:-External links:*...
- Michigan1988 Michigan Wolverines football teamThe 1988 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1988 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium...
- West Virginia1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football teamThe 1988 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the regular season with a 11–0 and traveled to the Fiesta Bowl to decide the National Championship, where they lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34–21.-1988 Schedule:-1988 season:...
- UCLA1988 UCLA Bruins football teamThe 1988 UCLA Bruins football team represented UCLA in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:-1988 Team Players in the NFL:The following players were claimed in the 1989 NFL Draft.-External links:...
- Auburn1988 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1988 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 10–2 record and won their second of three straight SEC titles, sharing it with LSU. LSU handed Auburn their only conference...
- Clemson
- Southern California
- Nebraska1988 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1988 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
- Oklahoma State1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football teamThe 1988 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented the Oklahoma State University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Barry Sanders was in his junior year for the Cowboys.-Schedule:...
- Arkansas
- Oklahoma1988 Oklahoma Sooners football teamThe 1988 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented Oklahoma University during the 1988 college football season. It was Barry Switzer's final year as head coach.-Schedule:-Coaching staff:*Head Coach: Barry Switzer...
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Indiana1988 Indiana Hoosiers football teamThe 1988 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Season:*In the Old Brass Spittoon, the Hoosiers lost to Michigan State by a score of 38-12....
- Wyoming1988 Wyoming Cowboys football teamThe Wyoming Cowboys represented the University of Wyoming in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Cowboys offense scored 511 points, while the defense allowed 280 points...
Heisman Trophy
- Winner: Barry SandersBarry SandersBarry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Sanders left the game just short of the all-time rushing record...
, Oklahoma State, Jr. RB - Rodney PeeteRodney PeeteRodney Peete is a former American football quarterback from the University of Southern California who played in the National Football League for 16 years. He retired in 2004 and is now in broadcasting.-Early life:...
, Southern California, Sr. QB - Troy AikmanTroy AikmanTroy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys...
, UCLA, Sr. QB - Steve WalshSteve Walsh (NFL)Stephen John "Steve" Walsh is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League.-Personal life:...
, Miami (FL), Jr. QB - Major HarrisMajor HarrisMajor Harris is a former college football quarterback for West Virginia University during the 1980s. Harris was a 1989 All American and finished third and fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1988 and 1989, respectively. He was also the ECAC Player of the Year in 1988 and 1989...
, West Virginia, So. QB
Other major awards
- Maxwell (Player): Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State
- Camp (Back): Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State
- Davey O'Brien Award (QB): Troy Aikman, UCLA
- Rockne (Lineman): N/A
- Lombardi (Linebacker): Tracy Rocker, Auburn
- Outland (Interior): Tracy Rocker, Auburn
- Coach of the Year: Don Nehlen, West Virginia