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The 1987 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Texas Longhorns and the Pittsburgh Panthers. This was the final Bluebonnet/Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.
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Background
The Longhorns finished tied for second in the Southwest Conference with Arkansas, who played in the Liberty Bowl that year. This was Texas' sixth Bluebonnet Bowl. Pittsburgh was an Independent in their first bowl game since 1984. This was Pittsburgh's only Bluebonnet Bowl.
Game summary
Brett Stafford connected with Jones for a 77-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to give the Longhorns a 7-0 lead. Pittsburgh started off their retaliation well, when Billy Owens returned the kickoff 45 yards. Billy Osborn then Reggie Williams for 45 yards, and lastly Craig Heyward tied the score with a four-yard run. But six plays later, the Longhorns took the lead again with a Stafford pass to Tony Jones on a short pass that evolved into a 60-yard touchdown to make it 14-7. The Longhorns added a field goal to make it 17-7 at halftime. Texas was outscored 20-15 in the second half after three touchdowns by Wenke, the Pittsburgh quarterback, with two late in the fourth quarter that cut the Longhorns’ lead to five, though they could not score after that as the Longhorns won the final Bluebonnet Bowl. Brett Stafford finished with 364 yards, including 202 in the first quarter, setting the record for most passing yards in a Bluebonnet Bowl. Jones set records for receiving yards and longest reception.
Aftermath
Due to a lack of funds and lack of a corporate sponsor, the board of directors decided to cancel the game for 1988 and wait for 1989. As it turned out, the Bluebonnet Bowl would never be played again.