1979 San Jose State Spartans football team

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 1979 San Jose State Spartans football Pacific Coast Athletic Association PCAA 3–8 2–3 3 1 2 Jack Elway 1st Dennis Erickson 1st Spartan Stadium The 1979 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.The Big West Conference was known as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association from its founding in 1969 through 1987. The team was led by first year head coach Jack Elway. They played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. The Spartans finished the 1979 season as co-champions of the PCAA, with a record of six wins, four losses and one tie (6–4–1, 4–0–1 PCAA). However, in December 1979 the PCAA ruled that the Spartans had used an ineligible player in seven of their games. As a result, the team's co-championship of the conference was vacated, and the record was adjusted to 3–8 (2–3 PCAA).https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19791215&id=5_kgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DXUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1844,3467188 San Jose State must forfeit seven games December 21, 2016 Schedule September 8 l Utah State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 48–48 (forfeit) 10,782 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-utah-state-ties-san-jos/157822215/ The Daily Herald Utah State ties San Jose at 48-all September 9, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.comhttp://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ust/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/2016FBMG.pdf#page=196 Utah State Football Guide 2016 February 14, 2007 February 15, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170215122452/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ust/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/2016FBMG.pdf#page=196 dead September 15 l y y Stanford Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA rivalry 29–45 46,789 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-stanford-outl/157813312/ The San Francisco Examiner Stanford outlasts San Jose September 16, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com September 22 l y y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA ABC 10–13 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-golden-bears-reliev/157814258/ The Sunday Oregonian Golden Bears relieved to escape with victory September 23, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com September 29 l y y Arizona Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ 18–38 48,061 https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-ua-defense-grounds-sp/157816290/ The Arizona Daily Star UA defense grounds Spartan aerial show September 30, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com October 6 l y Cal State Fullerton Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 23–0 (forfeit) 10,900 Titans Lose The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California John Weyler October 7, 1979 III-10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8870187/titans_lose/ Newspapers.com February 10, 2017Fullerton Bounced Out of First The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California John Weyler October 7, 1979 III-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8870222/fullerton_bounced_out_of_first/ Newspapers.com February 10, 2017 October 13 l y Fresno State Ratcliffe Stadium Fresno, CA rivalry 35–22 (forfeit) 11,789 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-san-jose-outlasts-fr/157823796/ Santa Cruz Sentinel San Jose outlasts Fresno in thriller October 14, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 l y y Oregon State Parker Stadium Corvallis, OR 24–14 (forfeit) 11,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-four-year-drought-en/157803588/ Santa Cruz Sentinel Four-year drought ends, SJS tops a Pac-10 foe October 21, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com October 27 w y Long Beach State Anaheim Stadium Anaheim, CA 53–42 6,428 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-san-jose-state-survi/157823141/ Santa Cruz Sentinel San Jose State survives in 'wide-open' grid game October 28, 1979 October 25, 2024 Newspapers.com November 10 w Pacific (CA) Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA Victory Bell 32–31 11,700 Luther Rallies San Jose State The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California November 11, 1979 III-16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8939608/luther_rallies_san_jose_state/ Newspapers.com February 14, 2017 November 16 w y 1979 Santa Clara Broncos Santa Clara Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 23–14 10,936 https://www.newspapers.com/image/460531465/?match=1&terms=%22santa%20clara%22%20AND%20%22san%20jose%20state%22 San Francisco Examiner SJS overcomes mud and stubborn Broncos November 17, 1979 Newspapers.com November 24 l y Central Michigan Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 32–34 10,424 CMU puts finishing touch on undefeated season, 34–32 Detroit Free Press November 25, 1979 7F https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17466585/cmu_puts_finishing_touch_on_undefeated/ Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/san-jose-state/1979-schedule.html San Jose State 1979 Schedule December 16, 2016http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/950acbb8#/950acbb8/1 San Jose State 2016 Football Media Guide December 16, 2016 Team players in the NFL The following were selected in the 1980 NFL draft.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1980.htm 1980 NFL Draft December 7, 2016 December 22, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071222092355/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1980.htm dead Player Position Round Overall NFL team Jewerl Thomas Running back 3 58 Los Angeles Rams Ed Luther Quarterback 4 101 San Diego Chargers The following finished their San Jose State career in 1979, were not drafted, but played in the NFL.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/sanjosest/ San Jose St. Players/Alumni December 16, 2016 Player Position First NFL team Derrick Martin Defensive back 1987 San Francisco 49ers Eric Hurt Defensive back 1980 Dallas Cowboys Jim Walsh Running back 1980 Seattle Seahawks Notes 2 note References San Jose State Category:San Jose State Spartans football seasons San Jose State Spartans football