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

UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, San Jose State triumphed over Hawaii with a score of 45-38 Saturday night, fueled by a stunning performance from wide receiver Danny Scudero, who racked up a career-high 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns. This victory marks the fifth consecutive win for the Spartans in the Dick Tomey Legacy Game.

Despite trailing 31-14 at halftime, the Rainbow Warriors (6-3) mounted a fierce comeback, narrowing the gap to just one score with 1:16 left on the clock. However, their final attempt at an onside kick failed, rolling out of bounds and sealing the win for the Spartans (3-5).

The game showcased the offensive prowess of both teams, with both the Spartans and the Rainbow Warriors ranking among the top passing offenses in the Mountain West Conference. Hawaii started the second half strong, with quarterback Micah Alejado throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to running back Landon Sims, bringing the score to 31-21.

Key moments unfolded rapidly. On the very next drive, Spartans quarterback Walker Eget connected with Scudero for a jaw-dropping 62-yard touchdown. Earlier in the second quarter, Alejado struck back, hitting wide receiver Jackson Harris for a 68-yard touchdown to close the Spartans’ lead to 21-14. Eget quickly responded with another touchdown pass to Scudero, increasing the Spartans’ lead to 28-14.

San Jose State’s defense played a crucial role, with linebacker Jordan Pollard recording eight tackles, including a critical sack that thwarted a Hawaii drive, leading to a 24-yard field goal by Matthias Brown and extending the lead to 31-14.

Eget concluded the night with impressive stats, completing 20 of 40 passes for a total of 458 yards and two touchdowns to Scudero. Notably, Scudero, alongside teammates Leland Smith (113 yards) and Kyri Shoels (109 yards), each surpassed the 100-yard mark for the second time this season.

As the fourth quarter unfolded, Hawaii continued to pressure the Spartans, closing the score to 38-35 after a 20-yard touchdown pass from Alejado to Pofele Ashlock Harris with 9:32 remaining. But San Jose State responded decisively, as Steve Chavez-Soto rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, extending the score to 45-35 with 5:37 left.

Chavez-Soto showcased his skills with three rushing touchdowns, contributing to a combined total of 150 rushing yards alongside teammate Lamar Radcliffe (10 carries, 97 yards).

Looking ahead, the Spartans will return home to face Air Force on November 8, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. This victory not only boosts San Jose State’s momentum but also continues to invigorate their bowl game aspirations. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Spartans aim to build on this thrilling success.