| Year: | 1981 |
| Team: | San Jose State Spartans |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Pacific Coast Athletic Association |
| Short Conf: | PCAA |
| Record: | 9–3 |
| Conf Record: | 5–0 |
| Head Coach: | Jack Elway |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Off Coach: | Dennis Erickson |
| Oc Year: | 3rd |
| Off Scheme: | Spread |
| Stadium: | Spartan Stadium |
| Champion: | PCAA champion |
| Bowl: | California Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] [4] [5]
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.[6]
The Spartan offense was led by quarterback Steve Clarkson, running back Gerald Willhite, and wide receiver Tim Kearse.[2]
The following were selected in the 1982 NFL draft.[9]
| Player | Position | Round | Overall | NFL team | |
| Running back | 1 | 21 | Denver Broncos | ||
| Wide receiver | 3 | 63 | Atlanta Falcons |
| Player | Position | First NFL team | |
| Kenny Daniel | Defensive back | 1984 New York Giants | |
| Tracy Franz | Guard | 1987 San Francisco 49ers |