The 1921 San Diego State football team represented San Diego State Teachers College[note 1] during the 1921 college football season. The team did not have a formal nickname in 1921. The "Professors" name was sometimes used, but local newspapers simply referred to the team either as "State" or the "Junior College".
1921 not only saw the first season of intercollegiate football for San Diego State, but it was also the first year San Diego State was a four-year institution.[1] San Diego State competed in the Southern California Junior College Conference (SCJCC) from 1921 to 1924. The team was led by head coach Charles E. Peterson, and played home games at Balboa Stadium and at the College Field on campus.[note 2] They finished the season with four wins and six losses (4–6, 1–3 SCJCC). The team scored 60 points in their ten games while giving up 100.
^San Diego State University was known as San Diego State Teachers College from 1924 to 1934. It had been called San Diego Normal School from its founding in 1897 through 1920.
^San Diego State's Peterson Gym, which opened in 1961, was named after Peterson. At various times during his 37-year career with the Aztecs, Peterson was the athletic director, football coach, basketball coach, track coach, and Dean of Men.
^The Navy "Sports" Field was the original name of what became Lane Field in downtown San Diego. It was converted to a baseball-only configuration in 1936.
^"Junior College to Enter Field With Strong Squad". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. October 2, 1921. p. 5.
^"Junior Collegians To Play Football". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. October 6, 1921. p. 13.
^"Charleston, Melville Will Clash in Football Today". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. October 14, 1921. p. 16.
^"Naval Airmen, Birmingham Win Games; Big Crowd". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. October 16, 1921. p. 6.
^"Junior College and Teachers' College Notes". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. October 20, 1921. p. 11.
^"Junior College Defeats Academy". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. October 22, 1921. p. 15.
^"Santa Ana Wins From Collegians". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. October 29, 1921. p. 12.
^"San Diego Elevens Fail to Score; Fullerton, Alumni Win". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. November 6, 1921. p. 10.
^"Gobs Chase Mule From Field In Near Riot; Local College Eleven Winner Over Chaffee". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. November 12, 1921. p. 8.
^"Riverside Winner Over Locals; 19-7". The San Diego Union. San Diego, California. November 20, 1921. p. 11.