Santa Barbara State competed as an Independent in 1929 and 1930. They joined the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) in 1931. The Roadrunners were led by third-year head coach Harold Davis and played home games at Peabody Stadium in Santa Barbara, California. They finished the season with a record of six wins, one loss and one tie (6–1–1). Overall, the team outscored its opponents 97–51 for the season.