1980 San Jose State Spartans football team

The 1980 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.[note 1] The team was led by head coach Jack Elway, in his second year at San Jose State. They played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. The Spartans finished the 1980 season with a record of seven wins and four losses (7–4, 3–2 PCAA).

1980 San Jose State Spartans football
Conference	Pacific Coast Athletic Association
1980 record	7–4 (3–2 PCAA)
Head coach	Jack Elway (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Dennis Erickson (2nd season)
Home stadium	Spartan Stadium (Capacity: 18,155)

1980 Pacific Coast Athletic Association football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Long Beach State $	5	–	0	–	0			8	–	3	–	0
Utah State	4	–	1	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
San Jose State	3	–	2	–	0			7	–	4	–	0
Fresno State	1	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Cal State Fullerton	1	–	4	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Pacific (CA)	1	–	4	–	0			4	–	8	–	0
$ – Conference champion

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 6	Santa Clara*	Spartan Stadium San Jose, California		W 28–14
September 13	at Washington State*	Martin Stadium Pullman, Washington	ABC	W 31–26	18,153
September 20	at Iowa State*	Cyclone Stadium Ames, Iowa		L 6–27	47,806[1]
October 4	at No. 15 Stanford*	Stanford Stadium Stanford, California (rivalry)		L 21–35
October 11	Fresno State[note 2]	Spartan Stadium San Jose, California (rivalry)		W 26–14	14,120[2]
October 18	Long Beach State[note 3]	Spartan Stadium San Jose, California		L 21–23	11,725[3]
October 25	Idaho*	Spartan Stadium San Jose, California		W 32–10	7,263
November 1	at No. 10 Baylor*	Floyd Casey Stadium Waco, Texas		W 30–22
November 8	at Pacific (CA)	Pacific Memorial Stadium[note 4] Stockton, California		W 28–23	17,569[4]
November 15	Cal State Fullerton	Spartan Stadium San Jose, California		W 33–21	10,021[5]
November 22	Utah State	Spartan Stadium San Jose, California		L 38–44	16,318[6]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from no poll released prior to the game

[7][8]

Team players in the NFL

The following were selected in the 1981 NFL Draft.[9]

Player	Position	Round	Overall	NFL team
Mark Nichols	Wide receiver	1	16	Detroit Lions

The following finished their college career in 1980, were not drafted, but played in the NFL.[10]

Player	Position	First NFL team
Bill Benjamin	Linebacker	1987 Indianapolis Colts
Mike Katolin	Center	1987 Cleveland Browns

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. Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium was known as Pacific Memorial Stadium from its opening in 1950 through 1987.

References

1. "2016 Iowa State Football" (PDF). Retrieved February 14, 2007.
2. "Fresno State 2016 Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved December 8, 2016.
3. 49er Football (pamphlet). Long Beach, California: CSULB Athletic Department. 1981.
4. "San Jose St. Wins, Barely". The Los Angeles Times. November 9, 1980. p. III-4. Retrieved February 14, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "San Jose St., 33-21". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. November 16, 1980. p. III-8. Retrieved February 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Utah State Football Guide 2016" (PDF). Retrieved February 14, 2007.
7. "San Jose State 1980 Schedule". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
8. "San Jose State 2016 Football Media Guide". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
9. "1981 NFL Draft". Retrieved December 7, 2016.
10. "San Jose St. Players/Alumni". Retrieved December 16, 2016.