What Is 1987 Santa Clara Broncos football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Santa Clara Broncos football team represented Santa Clara University during the 1987 NCAA Division II football season. They competed in the Western Football Conference and finished with a 5–5 record under head coach Pat Malley.

Key Facts

The 1987 Santa Clara Broncos football team had a 5–5 overall record
They were led by head coach Pat Malley, in his 13th season
Santa Clara competed in the Western Football Conference (WFC)
The team played home games at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara University discontinued its football program after the 1992 season

Overview

The 1987 Santa Clara Broncos football team represented Santa Clara University in the NCAA Division II football season. Competing as a member of the Western Football Conference (WFC), the team was led by head coach Pat Malley, who had been at the helm since 1975. The Broncos played their home games at Buck Shaw Stadium, a venue shared with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers at the time.

That season, the Broncos finished with a 5–5 overall record, marking a slight improvement from their 4–6 record in 1986. While they did not qualify for the NCAA playoffs, the team remained competitive within their conference and maintained a strong regional presence. Santa Clara’s football program had a long history, dating back to 1896, though it operated at a lower division level by the late 1980s.

Season record: The Broncos finished the 1987 season with a 5–5 overall record, showing balanced performance across matchups.
Conference affiliation: Santa Clara competed in the Western Football Conference, a Division II league active from 1982 to 1992.
Head coach: Pat Malley served as head coach for the 1987 season, his 13th year leading the program.
Home stadium: Games were played at Buck Shaw Stadium, located in Santa Clara, California, with a capacity of approximately 14,000.
Program history: Santa Clara fielded a football team from 1896 to 1992, with the 1987 season falling in the program’s final decade.

How It Works

College football in 1987 operated under NCAA Division II rules, with structured conferences, regional scheduling, and eligibility standards. Teams like Santa Clara followed a defined season format, including non-conference and conference games, with rankings and playoff eligibility determined by win-loss records and strength of schedule.

Division II structure: NCAA Division II featured smaller schools than Division I, with limited scholarships and regionalized competition.
Season length: Teams typically played 10 to 11 regular-season games, with no automatic postseason for most.
Western Football Conference: The WFC included schools like UC Davis, Cal Poly, and Northern Arizona, competing from 1982 to 1992.
Player eligibility: Student-athletes had to meet NCAA academic and amateurism standards to participate in games.
Game operations: Home games were hosted on campus or neutral sites, often on weekends with modest attendance.
Coaching staff: Pat Malley oversaw strategy, recruiting, and team management, supported by assistant coaches and trainers.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1987 Santa Clara Broncos compared to other Western Football Conference teams:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Postseason
UC Davis	8–2	6–1	Jim Sochor	No
Cal Poly	7–3	5–2	Terry Shea	No
Santa Clara	5–5	3–4	Pat Malley	No
Northern Arizona	4–6	2–5	Don Johnson	No
Cal State Northridge	2–8	1–6	Tom Keele	No

The Broncos’ 5–5 record placed them in the middle of the WFC standings. While UC Davis dominated the conference with an 8–2 record, Santa Clara struggled to secure a winning conference mark. The team showed resilience but lacked the consistency to challenge for a title. Despite the challenges, the program continued to develop student-athletes and maintain a competitive spirit.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season reflects a transitional era in college football, where smaller programs like Santa Clara balanced athletic competition with academic priorities. Though the Broncos did not achieve national prominence, their season contributed to the broader landscape of NCAA Division II football.

Historical significance: The 1987 season was part of Santa Clara’s final decade of football before discontinuation in 1992.
Player development: The program provided opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high collegiate level.
Community engagement: Local fans attended games, supporting the university’s athletic tradition.
Conference dynamics: The WFC fostered regional rivalries and competitive balance among Division II schools.
Coaching legacy: Pat Malley’s leadership spanned over a decade, influencing many players and staff.
Program closure: Santa Clara discontinued football after 1992 due to budget constraints and shifting priorities.

The 1987 Santa Clara Broncos season stands as a testament to the dedication of student-athletes and coaches in non-scholarship or lower-division programs. While overshadowed by larger schools, their efforts preserved a proud tradition of collegiate football in Northern California.