What Is 1982 San Jose State Spartans football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1982 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Jack Elway, father of NFL star John Elway.

Key Facts

The 1982 San Jose State Spartans finished the season with a 7–5 overall record.
Head coach Jack Elway led the team during his final season before moving to Stanford.
The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California.
They competed as an independent team, not part of a conference.
Quarterback Steve Clarkson threw for 1,982 yards and 13 touchdowns that season.

Overview

The 1982 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University in the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Jack Elway, who completed his final season with the Spartans before accepting a position at Stanford University.

Under Elway’s leadership, the Spartans achieved a winning record, finishing 7–5 overall. The season marked a transitional period for the program, both in coaching and player development, as several key contributors gained national attention. The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium, a venue with a capacity of approximately 30,456.

Record: The Spartans finished the 1982 season with a 7–5 overall record, marking one of the stronger performances of the early 1980s for the program.
Head Coach:Jack Elway served as head coach for his fifth and final season, compiling a 33–36–1 record during his tenure at San Jose State.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Spartan Stadium, located on campus in San Jose, California, which opened in 1933.
Quarterback: Senior Steve Clarkson led the offense, throwing for 1,982 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning All-Pacific Coast honors.
Notable Game: A 35–34 victory over Utah State in November 1982 was one of the season’s most dramatic finishes, decided by a last-minute touchdown.

Season Highlights & Key Players

The 1982 campaign featured several standout performances and pivotal moments that defined the Spartans' competitive edge. Despite lacking a conference affiliation, the team scheduled a challenging slate of opponents, including several from Power Conference backgrounds.

Steve Clarkson: The senior quarterback completed 58.3% of his passes and ranked among the top passers in the West Coast region.
James Jones: Running back James Jones rushed for 721 yards and six touchdowns, serving as the team’s primary ground threat.
Defensive Standout: Linebacker Mike Johnson recorded 112 tackles, leading the team in defensive stops.
Season Opener: The Spartans opened the season with a 24–21 win over UC Davis, setting a positive tone for the year.
Final Game: The season concluded with a loss to New Mexico (24–20), ending any hopes of postseason play.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1982 season to surrounding years reveals trends in performance, coaching stability, and offensive output.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Key Stat	Postseason
1980	7–4	Jack Elway	2,104 passing yards	No
1981	5–6	Jack Elway	1,755 passing yards	No
1982	7–5	Jack Elway	1,982 passing yards	No
1983	8–3	Pat Hill (interim)	2,301 passing yards	No
1984	5–6	Pat Hill	1,877 passing yards	No

The 1982 season sits between two slightly more successful years in terms of win totals. While it didn’t result in a bowl bid, the team’s 7–5 record demonstrated consistency under Elway’s leadership. The offense showed improvement over 1981, particularly in passing efficiency, and set the stage for future development under new coaching leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1982 season holds historical significance for San Jose State football due to its role in the transition between coaching eras and the development of future NFL talent. Though the team did not qualify for a bowl game, the season contributed to the program’s growing reputation for developing skilled quarterbacks and defensive players.

Coaching Legacy: Jack Elway’s departure after 1982 marked the end of an era; he later gained fame as the father of John Elway, the Hall of Fame quarterback.
Player Development: Several Spartans from this era went on to play professionally, including practice squad roles in the USFL and NFL.
Program Momentum: The 7–5 record helped maintain recruiting momentum, leading to a stronger 1983 season under new leadership.
Independent Status: As an independent, the Spartans had scheduling flexibility, allowing matchups with teams from multiple regions.
Historical Context: The 1982 team is remembered as a bridge between rebuilding years and the more competitive mid-1980s squads.
Fandom & Culture: Games at Spartan Stadium drew consistent crowds, contributing to the growth of local college football culture.

The 1982 San Jose State Spartans may not have achieved national acclaim, but their season remains a notable chapter in the university’s athletic history, reflecting resilience, transition, and the foundations of future success.