1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
The 1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by second-year head coach Lou Holtz, the Fighting Irish compiled a record of 8–4. Notre Dame was invited to the Cotton Bowl Classic, where the Fighting Irish lost to Texas A&M. The team played home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Tony Rice became the starting quarterback for Notre Dame following an injury to Terry Andrysiak.
Game summaries
At Michigan
Terry Andrysiak completed 11 of 15 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown while Notre Dame converted four of Michigan's seven turnovers into scores.Boston College
- ND: Mark Green 152 Rush Yds
- ND: Tim Brown 294 all-purpose Yds
Team players drafted into the NFL
The following players were drafted into professional football following the season.| Tim Brown | Wide Receiver | 1 | 6 | Los Angeles Raiders |
| Tom Redehr | Tackle | 3 | 69 | New England Patriots |
| Chuck Lanza | Center | 3 | 70 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Cedric Figaro | Linebacker | 6 | 152 | San Diego Chargers |
| Brandy Wells | Defensive Back | 9 | 226 | Cincinnati Bengals |