The first game of the season proved to be most notable victory for the team, as the Lobos upset BYU, 25-21. The Jim McMahon-led Cougars went undefeated the rest of the season, finishing with a 12-1 record and #12 national ranking in the final Associated Press poll.
The team's statistical leaders included Robin Gabriel with 1,083 passing yards, Jimmy Sayers with 691 rushing yards, Ricky Martin with 850 receiving yards, and kicker Pete Parks with 58 points scored.[3]
^Mike Granberry (November 23, 1980). "San Diego State Wins On Emotion". The Los Angeles Times (San Diego County ed.). Los Angeles, California. p. III-1. Retrieved January 17, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.