SAN JOSE – San Jose State defeated Hawaii 45-38 Saturday night behind a career-high 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns from wide receiver Danny Scudero, marking the fifth consecutive Spartans victory in the Dick Tomey Legacy Game.
Despite trailing 31-14 at halftime, the Rainbow Warriors (6-3) rallied to move within one score with 1:16 left in the game. But their last-ditch onside kick rolled out of bounds and sealed a victory for the Spartans (3-5).
Both of Scudero’s touchdowns came in very opportune moments.
The two best passing offenses in the Mountain West were on display as Hawaii started the second half with a 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Micah Alejado to running back Landon Sims, making it 31-21 SJSU in the third quarter.
The following drive, Spartans quarterback Walker Eget hit Scudero for a 62-yard touchdown pass.
Alejado, though, hit wide receiver Jackson Harris for a 68-yard touchdown to cut SJSU’s lead to 21-14 with 4:07 left in the second quarter.
Then the following drive, Eget hit Scudero for a 50-yard touchdown to pad the Spartans’ lead to 28-14.
Then a sack by SJSU linebacker Jordan Pollard sack stifled a Hawaii drive, which led to a Spartans 24-yard field goal by Matthias Brown, securing a three-possession lead at 31-14.
Eget finished the game 20-for-40 for 458 yards and the two TD passes to Scudero. SJSU wide receivers, Scudero, Leland Smith (113) and Kyri Shoels (109) all went over 100 yards for the second time this season.
Defensively, Pollard finished with eight tackles, with two tackles for loss, including the sack.
Hawaii’s Alejado finished the game 31-for-46 for 367 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Despite trailing 31-14 at halftime, Hawaii made things uneasy in the fourth quarter, closing within 38-35 after a 20-yard touchdown pass from Alejado to Pofele Ashlock Harris with 9:32 left in the fourth quarter.
But the Spartans cashed in again on their following possession with Steve Chavez-Soto scoring on a 1-yard run to make it 45-35 with 5:37 left in regulation.
Chavez-Soto had three rushing touchdowns in the game as San Jose State’s running back duo of Chavez-Soto (10 carries, 53 yards) and Lamar Radcliffe (10 carries, 97 yards) combined for 150 yards and four touchdowns.
SJSU will be back at home Saturday Nov. 8 against Air Force (2-6,1-4) with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m.