During the 1935 season, veteran halfback Ralph Nathan was injured for two weeks but returned to the backfield to join quarterback Keith Cox against San Francisco Junior College.

Farmer was later honored by Golden Gater rival Chico State, his alma mater, with a trophy bearing his name that was contested between the two schools.

[7] During the 1940 season, Boyle's Staters scrimmaged throughout the week in preparation for matches against military sides like the Moffett Field Air Corps Eleven, and over half of his playbook consisted of passing plays to make use of "capable tossers" including Reno Cardoni, John Verducci, Dick Chin, and Fred Hinze.

While Farmer remained with the State College through the decade in various capacities including head coach of the basketball program, he stepped down from football upon Boyle's return from service in the Navy for the 1946 season.

Boyle's second stint as head coach in the late 1940s is remembered by his successful protest of the "deadman" trick play, which was outlawed in a "gentlemen's agreement" between Far Western Conference schools after used by Southern Oregon to defeat State College 13–7 in the 1947 season.

Verducci's time with the Gaels was indeed short, having replaced "Irish Jimmy Phelan" (who became the mentor of the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America conference), in April 1948.

The 1985 season showed promise behind quarterback Rich Strasser, who was described by the coach of the opposing Santa Clara Broncos as "the Division II Doug Flutie".

[19] In an early season matchup in September against Cal Lutheran, the combination of Strasser and receiver Ron Teitel could not overcome the clock in the final seconds, but managed to impress the Los Angeles Times staff writer nonetheless.

[21] The Steelers hired Bob Valesente for the position and Creehan remained at San Francisco State, but argued that his opportunity to work in the National Football League (NFL) was stolen by the newspapers in Pittsburgh, claiming to have had his career ruined and his family humiliated by reporters at the Post-Gazette.

[27] Among those drafted into the NFL, Floyd Peters would go on to become a standout defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, earning a bid to the Pro Bowl three times.

Former Gator defensive end Nick Kukilica earned a place among the All-Stars of the short-lived Continental Football League in 1969, playing for the Sacramento Capitols.

[29] Likewise, several Gators found success with the Canadian Football League; Doug Parish had a career with the Edmonton Eskimos,[30] while Ken Hailey played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.