1981 San Jose State Spartans football team

The 1981 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.[note 1] Led by third-year head coach Jack Elway, they played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California.

1981 San Jose State Spartans football
PCAA champion
California Bowl, L 25–27 vs. Toledo
ConferencePacific Coast Athletic Association
1981 record9–3 (5–0 PCAA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDennis Erickson
(3rd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Home stadiumSpartan Stadium
(Capacity: 18,155)
1981 Pacific Coast Athletic Association football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
San Jose State $ 5 –0 –0  9 –3 –0
Utah State 4 –1 –1  5 –5 –1
Fresno State 2 –3 –0  5 –6 –0
Pacific (CA) 2 –3 –0  5 –6 –0
Cal State Fullerton 1 –4 –0  3 –8 –0
Long Beach State 1 –4 –0  2 –8 –0
  • $ – Conference champion

The Spartans were champions of the PCAA, with a record of nine wins and three losses (9–3, 5–0 PCAA), and qualified for the initial California Bowl against the Mid-American Conference (MAC) champion Toledo Rockets.[1] This was the second bowl appearance for the Spartans since moving up to Division I-A; they were in the Pasadena Bowl a decade earlier. The California Bowl was played at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, and Toledo won 27–25 with a late field goal.[2][3][4]

In early December, offensive coordinator Dennis Erickson was hired as the head coach at Idaho in the Big Sky Conference, but coached the Spartans in the bowl game.[5]

The Spartan offense was led by quarterback Steve Clarkson, running back Gerald Willhite, and wide receiver Tim Kearse.[1]

Schedule
DateOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 5UNLV*
L 6–1617,112[6]
September 12Santa Clara*
  • Spartan Stadium
  • San Jose, California
W 41–7
September 19at Stanford*
W 28–667,888
September 26at California*
ABCW 27–24
October 3at Fresno State[note 2]
ABCW 65–3325,617[7][8]
October 17Cal State Fullerton
  • Spartan Stadium
  • San Jose, California
ESPNW 45–2321,238[9]
October 24at Utah State
W 27–2416,071[10]
November 7at No. 10 Arizona State*
L 24–31
November 14Pacific (CA)
  • Spartan Stadium
  • San Jose, California
W 40–25
November 21at Long Beach State[note 3]
W 25–226,723[11]
November 28North Texas[note 4]*
  • Spartan Stadium
  • San Jose, California
W 28–16
December 19Toledo*
MizlouL 25–2715,565
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from no poll released prior to the game
Source:[12][13]

Team players in the NFL

The following were selected in the 1982 NFL Draft.[14]

PlayerPositionRoundOverallNFL team
Gerald WillhiteRunning back121Denver Broncos
Stacey BaileyWide receiver363Atlanta Falcons

The following finished their college career in 1981, were not drafted, but played in the NFL.[15]

PlayerPositionFirst NFL team
Kenny DanielDefensive back1984 New York Giants
Tracy FranzGuard1987 San Francisco 49ers

Notes
  1. The Big West Conference was known as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association from its founding in 1969 through 1987.
  2. The official name of Fresno State has been California State University, Fresno since 1972. However, it is still commonly known as Fresno State.
  3. The official name of Long Beach State has been California State University, Long Beach since 1972. However, it is still commonly known as Long Beach State.
  4. University of North Texas was known as North Texas State University from 1961 to 1987.

References
  1. Woolford, Dave (December 19, 1981). "Rockets in fighting mood". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). p. 18.
  2. Woolford, Dave (December 20, 1981). "UT shocks San Jose State on FG". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). p. C1.
  3. "Toledo field goal nips Sparts". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). UPI. December 20, 1981. p. 6D.
  4. "Toledo rocks San Jose". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 20, 1981. p. C3.
  5. Missildine, Harry (December 12, 1981). "Erickson's 'bowling' date comes before Vandals". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. p. 12.
  6. "2016 UNLV Rebel Football Light the Fuse". Retrieved February 14, 2007.
  7. "Fresno State 2016 Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  8. "Southland". The Los Angeles Times. October 4, 1981. p. III-18. Retrieved April 1, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Pete Donovan (October 18, 1981). "Spartans Run It Up, Titans Run Out of Gas". The Los Angeles Times (Orange County ed.). p. III-3. Retrieved February 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Utah State Football Guide 2016" (PDF). Retrieved February 14, 2007.
  11. "San Jose St., 24-22". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. November 22, 1981. p. 65. Retrieved February 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "San Jose State 1981 Schedule". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  13. "San Jose State 2016 Football Media Guide". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  14. "1982 NFL Draft". Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  15. "San Jose St. Players/Alumni". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
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