In their fourth season under head coach Len Casanova, the Broncos compiled an 8–2–1 record, were ranked No.
15 in the final AP Poll, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 222 to 114.
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.
[1][2] 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.