1981 San Jose State Spartans football team

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 1981 San Jose State Spartans football SJSU Main Logo from 1971 to 1982.png 100 Pacific Coast Athletic Association PCAA 9–3 5–0 Jack Elway 3rd Dennis Erickson 3rd Spread Spartan Stadium PCAA champion California Bowl L 25–27 vs. Toledo 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.The Big West Conference was known as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association from its founding in 1969 through 1987. Led by third-year head coach Jack Elway, they played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. 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.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U60zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9AIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5079%2C4567293 Toledo Blade Ohio Woolford Dave Rockets in fighting mood December 19, 1981 18 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.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VK0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9AIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6010%2C4921041 Toledo Blade Ohio Woolford Dave UT shocks San Jose State on FG December 20, 1981 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EPVVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WuIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6040%2C5321660 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon UPI Toledo field goal nips Sparts December 20, 1981 6Dhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XagwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2378%2C2326664 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Toledo rocks San Jose December 20, 1981 C3 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.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oEFYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=U_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1514%2C4235433 Spokane Daily Chronicle Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Erickson's 'bowling' date comes before Vandals December 12, 1981 12 The Spartan offense was led by quarterback Steve Clarkson, running back Gerald Willhite, and wide receiver Tim Kearse. Schedule 1981 AP September 5 l y UNLV Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 6–16 17,112 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-rebels-shut-down-san-jos/158214233/ Oakland Tribune Rebels shut down San Jose State's passing, win 16–6 September 6, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 12 w y 1981 Santa Clara Broncos Santa Clara Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 41–7 17,238 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-willhites-short-shi/158355201/ The Sacramento Bee Willhite's 'short-shift' leads San Jose to laughter over Santa Clara September 13, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19 w y y Stanford Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA rivalry USA 28–6 67,888 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-willhite-leads-san-jos/158338295/ The Tampa Tribune-Times Willhite leads San Jose State upset of Stanford, 28–6 September 20, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 w y y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA ABC 27–24 34,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-spartans-shoc/158337105/ The San Francisco Examiner Spartans shock Bears, 27–24 September 27, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 w y Fresno State Bulldog Stadium Fresno, CA rivalry ABC 65–33 25,617 http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/gobulldogs.com/documents/2016/7/31/2016_Fresno_State_Football_Media_Guide_FINAL.pdf?id=5374 Fresno State 2016 Media Guide December 8, 2016 December 20, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161220192819/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/gobulldogs.com/documents/2016/7/31/2016_Fresno_State_Football_Media_Guide_FINAL.pdf?id=5374 deadSouthland The Los Angeles Times October 4, 1981 III-18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9963288/southland_19811004/ Newspapers.com April 1, 2017 October 17 w y Cal State Fullerton Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA ESPN 45–23 21,238 Spartans Run It Up, Titans Run Out of Gas The Los Angeles Times Orange County Pete Donovan October 18, 1981 III-3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8876058/spartans_run_it_up_titans_run_out_of_gas/ Newspapers.com February 10, 2017 October 24 w y Utah State Romney Stadium Logan, UT 27–24 16,071 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-spartans-use-big-p/158355316/ The Salt Lake Tribune Spartans use big plays to trip Ags October 25, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 l y y Arizona State 10 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, CA 24–31 65,728 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-arizona-st-san-jose/126879938/ The Arizona Republic ASU TD breaks 24–24 tie, beats San Jose State November 8, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 w Pacific (CA) Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA Victory Bell 40–25 15,060 https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-sjs-40-uop-25/158355422/ Honolulu Star-Advertiser SJS 40, UOP 25 November 15, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 w y Long Beach State Anaheim Stadium Anaheim, CA 25–22 6,723 San Jose St., 24–22 Santa Cruz Sentinel Santa Cruz, California November 22, 1981 65 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8869141/san_jose_st_24_22/ Newspapers.com February 10, 2017 November 28 w y North Texas State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 28–16 13,091 Spartans' Willhite stars in win over N. Texas The San Francisco Examiner November 29, 1981 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87950033/spartans-willhite-stars-in-win-over-n/ October 28, 2021 Newspapers.com December 19 l y Toledo Bulldog Stadium Fresno, CA California Bowl Mizlou 25–27 15,565 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-toledo-topples-san/158355497/ The Billings Gazette Toledo topples San Jose in first California Bowl December 20, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com Source:https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/san-jose-state/1981-schedule.html San Jose State 1981 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 1982 NFL draft.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1982.htm 1982 NFL Draft December 7, 2016 December 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221202828/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1982.htm dead Player Position Round Overall NFL team Gerald Willhite Running back 1 21 Denver Broncos Stacey Bailey Wide receiver 3 63 Atlanta Falcons The following finished their college career in 1981, 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 Kenny Daniel Defensive back 1984 New York Giants Tracy Franz Guard 1987 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:Long stubs with short prose