1986 San Jose State Spartans football team

American college football team August 2023 December 2025 football 1986 San Jose State Spartans SJSU Main Logo from 1983 to 1999.png 100 Pacific Coast Athletic Association PCAA 10–2 7–0 Claude Gilbert 3rd Sam Gruneisen 1st Spartan Stadium California Bowl championPCAA champion California Bowl W 37–7 vs. Miami (OH) The 1986 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University as a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by third-year head coach Claude Gilbert, the Spartans compiled an overall record of 10–2 with a mark of 7–0 in conference play, winning the PCAA title. As a result of the PCAA championship, the San Jose State qualified for a postseason bowl game against the Mid-American Conference (MAC) champion Miami Redskins. The 1986 California Bowl was played in Fresno, California on December 13, with the Spartans victorious, 37–7. The team played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. Schedule 1986 AP September 6 l y Oregon Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 14–21 23,150 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bulletin-fumble-recovery-helps-ducks/170751073/ The Bulletin Fumble recovery helps Ducks win September 7, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com September 13 w y y Washington State Martin Stadium Pullman, WA 20–13 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-san-jose-state-stops/170751176/ The Idaho Statesman San Jose State stops Washington St. 20–13 September 14, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com September 20 l y y Stanford Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA rivalry 10–28 64,950 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-stanford-slop/170751298/ The San Francisco Examiner Stanford sloppy in 28–10 win September 21, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com September 27 w y y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 35–14 45,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-san-jose-state-domina/170751423/ The Sacramento Bee San Jose State dominates Cal September 28, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com October 4 w Fresno State 19 Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA rivalry 45–41 28,158 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-peninsula-times-tribune-improbable-c/170751543/ The Peninsula Times Tribune Improbable comeback by SJS October 5, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com October 11 w Utah State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 38–28 11,028 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-spartans-bury-aggi/170751690/ The Salt Lake Tribune Spartans bury Aggies with second-half avalanche October 12, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com October 18 w y UNLV Sam Boyd Silver Bowl Whitney, NV 23–20 17,522 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-peninsula-times-tribune-olivarez-kic/170751797/ The Peninsula Times Tribune Olivarez kicks late field goal to give SJS another win October 19, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com October 25 w y y Pacific (CA) Pacific Memorial Stadium Stockton, CA Victory Bell 44–15 22,355 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-perez-passes-for-508-yar/170751939/ Oakland Tribune Perez passes for 508 yards, leads Spartans' win October 26, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com November 1 w y New Mexico State Aggie Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM 45–7 7,348 https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times-san-jose-rolls-over-aggies/170752120/ The El Paso Times San Jose rolls over Aggies November 2, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com November 8 w y Cal State Fullerton Santa Ana Stadium Santa Ana, CA 48–24 3,754 Titans bring problems home and lose, 48–24 The Los Angeles Times Orange County Jim McCurdie November 9, 1986 III-13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8905112/titans_bring_problems_home_and_lose/ Newspapers.com February 12, 2017 November 15 w Long Beach State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 38–14 27,786 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-peninsula-times-tribune-sjs-rides-de/170752311/ The Peninsula Times Tribune SJS rides defense to title November 16, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com December 13 w y y Miami (OH) Bulldog Stadium Fresno, CA California Bowl ESPN 37–7 26,000 Spartans offense romps past Miami The Fresno Bee Terry Betterton December 14, 1986 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92538793/spartans-offense-romps-past-miami/ Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/san-jose-state/1986-schedule.html San Jose State 1986 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 No San Jose State Spartans were selected in the 1987 NFL draft.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm 1987 NFL Draft December 7, 2016 December 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221193418/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm dead The following finished their college career in 1986, 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 David Diaz-Infante Guard - Center 1987 San Diego Chargers Kenny Nash Wide receiver 1987 Kansas City Chiefs Kevin Clark Defensive back 1987 Denver Broncos Sam Kennedy Linebacker 1988 San Francisco 49ers References San Jose State Category:San Jose State Spartans football seasons Category:Big West Conference football champion seasons San Jose State Spartans football