The 1949 Santa Clara Broncos football team was an American football team that represented Santa Clara University as an independent during the 1949 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Len Casanova, the Broncos compiled an 8âÂÂ2âÂÂ1 record, achieved a No. 15 ranking in the final AP Poll, and outscored all opponents by a total of 222 to 114.
The Broncos' victories included a 14âÂÂ0 besting of UCLA, a 19âÂÂ6 victory over Saint Mary's, and a 21âÂÂ13 victory over Bear Bryant's Kentucky Wildcats in the 1950 Orange Bowl. The team's two losses came against Pacific Coast Conference champion California (ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll) and undefeated Oklahoma (ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll).
Guard Vern Sterling was selected by both the Associated Press and International News Service as a first-team player on the 1949 All-Pacific Coast football team.
After the 1949 season, coach Casanova left Santa Clara to become head coach at Pittsburgh. He also served as head coach at Oregon from 1951 to 1966.
The following Broncos were selected in the 1950 NFL draft after the season.