1986 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team

1986 Sam Houston State Bearkats football
Gulf Star champion
ConferenceGulf Star Conference
Record9–3 (3–1 GSC)
Head coach
Home stadiumBowers Stadium
1986 Gulf Star Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 11 Sam Houston State $^ 3 1 08 3 0
No. 12 Nicholls State ^ 2 2 010 3 0
Northwestern State 2 2 05 5 1
Southwest Texas State 2 2 04 7 0
Stephen F. Austin 1 3 05 6 0
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee poll

The 1986 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team represented Sam Houston State University as a member of the Gulf Star Conference (GSC) during the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Ron Randleman, the Bearkats compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 3–1 in conference play, and finished as champion in the GSC. Sam Houston State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, where they were defeated by Arkansas State in the first round.