1990 San Jose State Spartans football team

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 1990 San Jose State Spartans football Big West Conference Big West 20 9–2–1 7–0 Terry Shea 1st Rick Rasnick 4th Spartan Stadium Big West championCalifornia Bowl champion California Bowl W 48–24 vs. Central Michigan The 1990 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Big West Conference. The team was led by head coach Terry Shea, in his first year as head coach at San Jose State. They played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. The Spartans finished the 1990 season as Champions of the Big West conference, with a record of nine wins, two losses and one tie (7–0 Big West). They were a mere 4 points away in their 2 losses to opponents from having an undefeated season. They have been dubbed “The Greatest Team in SJSU Football History” by the media in 2023.https://www.marinij.com/2023/11/12/absolute-loyalty-rings-as-true-to-members-of-the-1990-san-jose-state-football-team-now-as-it-did-then/ Absolute Loyalty Rings True to Members of the 1990 Now Add It Did Then 2023-11-12 As a result of the Big West championship, the Spartans qualified for a postseason bowl game against the Mid-American Conference (MAC) co-champion Central Michigan Chippewas. The 1990 California Bowl was played in Fresno, California on December 8, with San Jose State winning, 48–24.https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=8743299 San Jose State Bowl History ESPN.com 2020-02-28 Schedule 1990 AP September 1 t y Louisville Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 10–10 16,281 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-sjs-louisvil/190222881/ The San Francisco Examiner SJS, Louisville play to standoff September 2, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com September 8 l y y Washington 20 Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 17–20 66,337 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-huskies-survive-cl/190145333/ The Bellingham Herald Huskies survive close one September 9, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com September 15 w y Pacific (CA) Stagg Memorial Stadium Stockton, CA Victory Bell 28–14 8,645 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-canley-martini-pace/190222964/ Santa Cruz Sentinel Canley, Martini pace SJS win September 16, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com September 22 w y UNLV Sam Boyd Silver Bowl Whitney, NV 47–13 18,934 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-canley-rushes-for/190223091/ The Los Angeles Times Canley rushes for 253 yards as San Jose State routs UNLV September 23, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com September 29 w y y Stanford Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA rivalry 29–23 45,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-sjs-passes-stan/190185813/ San Francisco Chronicle SJS passes, Stanford fails September 30, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com October 6 l y y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 34–35 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee-cal-bears-hold-off-san-j/190182775/ The Modesto Bee Cal Bears hold off San Jose October 7, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com October 13 w y Long Beach State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 46–29 14,938 San Jose St. 46, CSLB 29 The Los Angeles Times October 4, 1990 C-21 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8861681/san_jose_st_46_cslb_29/ January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com October 20 w Utah State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 34–27 11,834 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-spartan-strat/190223269/ The San Francisco Examiner Spartan strategy too good October 21, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com November 3 w Cal State Fullerton Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 44–6 11,256 San Jose St. 44, CS Fullerton 6 The Los Angeles Times November 4, 1990 C22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8918125/san_jose_st_44_cs_fullerton_6/ Newspapers.com February 12, 2017 November 10 w y New Mexico State Aggie Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM 56–20 13,865 https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times-san-jose-says-nmsu-plays-t/190223394/ The El Paso Times San Jose says NMSU plays tough despite 56–20 drubbing November 11, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com November 17 w Fresno State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA rivalry 42–7 31,218 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-sjs-leaves-no-doubt/190223483/ Santa Cruz Sentinel SJS leaves no doubt after rout November 18, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com December 8 w y y Central Michigan Bulldog Stadium Fresno, CA California Bowl 48–24 25,431 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-spartans-rock-to-cal-bowl/190223579/ The Fresno Bee Spartans rock to Cal Bowl win December 9, 1990 January 30, 2026 Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/san-jose-state/1990-schedule.html San Jose State 1990 Schedule December 16, 2016http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/950acbb8#/950acbb8/1 San Jose State 2016 Football Media Guide December 16, 2016 Rankings 1990 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Coaches 0 16 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 23 25 25 20 Game summaries Louisville 1990 Louisville Cardinals football team At Washington 1990 Washington Huskies football team Vs. Central Michigan (California Bowl) 1990 California Bowl 1990 Central Michigan Chippewas football team Team players in the NFL The following were selected in the 1991 NFL draft.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1991.htm 1991 NFL Draft December 7, 2016 December 20, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071220211219/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1991.htm dead Player Position Round Overall NFL team Sheldon Canley Running back 7 193 San Francisco 49ers Notes 2 note References San Jose State Category:San Jose State Spartans football seasons Category:Big West Conference football champion seasons San Jose State Spartans football Category:1990s in San Jose, California Category:Long stubs with short prose