If you were scrolling through scores on a random Saturday night in November 2025, you might have missed it. A 45-38 shootout in San Jose doesn't always grab the national headlines like an SEC slugfest or a Big Ten rivalry. But for anyone who actually follows Mountain West football, San Jose State vs Hawaii isn't just another game on the schedule. It's a weird, high-scoring, emotionally charged battle for a trophy that honors a man who basically built both programs.
Honestly, the "Dick Tomey Legacy Game" is one of those matchups that consistently delivers more drama than it has any right to.
The 2025 edition was no different. You had San Jose State entering the game as a massive underdog with a 2-5 record, facing a Hawaii team that was rolling on a three-game win streak. On paper? It looked like a blowout waiting to happen. Instead, we got a 458-yard passing masterclass from Walker Eget and a five-game win streak for the Spartans that has left Hawaii fans scratching their heads.
What Really Happened With San Jose State vs Hawaii in 2025?
Most people expected Hawaii to walk away with the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy this year. The Rainbow Warriors were sitting at 6-2, looking like a legitimate contender in the conference. Micah Alejado had been slinging it all season, and his connection with Jackson Harris was becoming legendary in the islands.
But San Jose State apparently didn't get the memo.
The Spartans' offense, led by Eget and the nation's leading receiver Danny Scudero, turned CEFCU Stadium into a highlight reel. Scudero ended the night with 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It’s kinda wild when you think about it—a sophomore transfer from Sacramento State is currently outproducing almost every blue-chip recruit in the country.
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Breaking Down the Momentum Shifts
Hawaii actually started strong. Cam Barfield punched in a 1-yard run early, and for a second, it felt like the Warriors' night. Then the Spartans woke up. They ripped off 21 straight points. Steve Chavez-Soto, who has become the go-to goal-line hammer for SJSU, finished with three rushing touchdowns.
Even when Hawaii tried to claw back—trimming the lead to 38-35 in the fourth quarter—San Jose State answered with a soul-crushing 75-yard drive. It's that specific resilience that has defined this rivalry lately.
The Dick Tomey Factor: Why This Isn't Just "Another Game"
You can't talk about San Jose State vs Hawaii without talking about Dick Tomey. He is the common thread that binds these two very different schools. Tomey is the winningest coach in Hawaii history and a legend at San Jose State, where he led the Spartans to some of their best seasons in the 2000s.
After he passed away in 2019, the schools unveiled the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy. It’s not some gold-plated cup; it’s a symbol of a coach who cared about the "island way" and the "Spartan way" equally.
Since the trophy was introduced:
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- San Jose State has dominated, winning five straight meetings since 2020.
- The games have averaged over 60 total points.
- The home-field advantage has been surprisingly spotty (SJSU often wins in Honolulu).
Hawaii leads the all-time series 24-22-1, but that gap is closing fast. For a program like Hawaii, losing the Tomey trophy five years in a row is a sore spot. It’s personal for the fans.
Modern Era Stars: Scudero vs Harris
If you want to know why San Jose State vs Hawaii is a must-watch for scouts, look at the wide receivers.
Danny Scudero is a name you’ll likely see in the NFL draft conversation soon. His ability to find gaps in the zone is basically a cheat code for Walker Eget. In the 2025 matchup, he caught a 62-yard bomb that essentially put the game out of reach just as Hawaii was gaining steam.
On the other side, Jackson Harris is the vertical threat Hawaii hasn't had since the Colt Brennan era. His 68-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter showed exactly why Micah Alejado looks for him the moment things break down. Harris finished the 2025 regular season with nearly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The "Hawaii Rule" and Schedule Nuance
Something most casual fans get wrong about this matchup is the scheduling. Because Hawaii is... well, in the middle of the Pacific, the NCAA allows teams that play at Hawaii to schedule a 13th regular-season game.
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This gives San Jose State an extra week of revenue and a chance for their players to pad stats. In years where the Spartans travel to the islands (odd-numbered years like 2025), you see those passing numbers inflate because these teams are playing more football than almost anyone else in the FBS. It’s a small detail, but it’s why SJSU quarterbacks like David Fales and Walker Eget often end up at the top of national leaderboards.
What to Watch for in 2026
The Mountain West is changing. With NIU and UTEP joining the conference in 2026, the scheduling might get even weirder. But the rivalry stays.
The 2026 matchup is set for Honolulu at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. Hawaii hasn't beaten San Jose State at home since 2019. If they want to break the "Spartan Curse," they’ll need to figure out how to stop the air raid.
Key storylines for the next meeting:
- Can Hawaii's secondary finally contain Scudero (if he doesn't declare for the draft)?
- Will Micah Alejado's experience as a multi-year starter finally tip the scales?
- Does SJSU’s defense, which has been shaky at best, finally give up enough points to let the Warriors fly?
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at this matchup for next season, keep these trends in mind. First, the over has been a gold mine. These two teams love to trade touchdowns, and neither defense has shown a consistent ability to stop the deep ball.
Second, don't overvalue "home-field advantage" in this specific series. San Jose State has proven they can handle the travel to the islands better than most.
To stay ahead, keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. Both programs rely heavily on Group of Five transfers to fill holes in their secondary. If Hawaii lands a lockdown corner, the 2026 game changes entirely. Check the official Mountain West schedule release in early 2026 to see if this remains a late-season "spoiler" game, which is where the most chaos usually happens.