San Jose State Surges Past Hawaii 45-38 in Thrilling Comeback

UPDATE: In a gripping showdown, the San Jose State Spartans triumphed over the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors with a score of 45-38 in the Dick Tomey Legacy Game on November 4, 2023. Wide receiver Danny Scudero delivered an electrifying performance, racking up a career-high 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns, leading the Spartans to their fifth consecutive victory in this annual matchup.

Despite trailing 31-14 at halftime, Hawaii (6-3) mounted a fierce comeback, closing the gap to just one score with 1:16 left in the game. However, their hopes were dashed when a last-ditch onside kick rolled out of bounds, sealing the victory for San Jose State (3-5).

The game showcased the remarkable passing abilities of both teams. Hawaii began the second half with an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Micah Alejado to running back Landon Sims, narrowing the score to 31-21. Just moments later, Spartans quarterback Walker Eget responded with a stunning 62-yard touchdown pass to Scudero, reinstating a comfortable lead.

In a dramatic first half, Alejado connected with wide receiver Jackson Harris for a 68-yard touchdown, reducing San Jose State’s lead to 21-14 with just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter. Eget then struck back, launching a 50-yard touchdown pass to Scudero, extending the Spartans’ advantage to 28-14.

The San Jose State defense, led by linebacker Jordan Pollard, stifled Hawaii’s efforts with a crucial sack, resulting in a 24-yard field goal by Matthias Brown, pushing the score to 31-14.

Eget had an impressive outing, completing 20 of 40 passes for 458 yards and two touchdowns to Scudero. Notably, wide receivers Scudero, Leland Smith (113 yards), and Kyri Shoels (109 yards) all surpassed the 100-yard mark, marking their second time achieving this feat this season.

On the other side, Alejado also had a strong performance, going 31-for-46 for 367 yards and three touchdowns, while managing to avoid interceptions.

As the fourth quarter progressed, Hawaii’s resilience shone through, with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Pofele Ashlock Harris, narrowing the score to 38-35 with 9:32 left in the game. Yet, the Spartans quickly countered, with running back Steve Chavez-Soto scoring a pivotal 1-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 45-35 with just over five minutes remaining.

Chavez-Soto had a standout game, contributing three rushing touchdowns as the Spartans’ running back duo combined for 150 rushing yards and four touchdowns. San Jose State will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next home game against Air Force on November 8, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m..

This thrilling victory not only boosts the Spartans’ morale but also keeps their bowl hopes alive. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching how both teams respond in their upcoming matchups.