Aloha! San Jose State QB’s successful and emotional finale in home state

Typically stoic, San Jose State senior quarterback Chevan Cordeiro stepped to the postgame podium with tears in his eyes. The Honolulu native, layers of colorful flower leis around his neck, had just played his final game in the Aloha State.

“When I come home for break, I really only get to see my parents, grandparents and my two brothers,” Cordeiro said after SJSU’s 35-0 victory over the University of Hawaii on Saturday night.

“I never really get to see my other family and it was good just playing in front of them like the old days. Growing up in Hawaii, family is everything, and knowing that this is my last time playing here, it was emotional for me.”

Cordeiro had been uncertain about the reception he would get as the leader of a rival team. He had played four seasons at Hawaii before transferring to San Jose State in 2022.

It wasn’t all rosy. After Cordeiro missed wide receiver Nick Nash on a third-down pass in the first quarter, Hawaii linebacker Jalen Smith walked up to Cordeiro and taunted him.

But once the game was over,  Hawaii players gathered at midfield to shake hands and take photos with their former teammate.

“I wasn’t surprised the way they received Chevan,”  SJSU coach Brent Brennan said. “They’re proud of their local boys making their way, even if it’s at a different school.”

Cordeiro completed 16 of 26 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night. After throwing just six touchdowns in the first six games of the season, he has thrown seven in the last three games, all wins.

Cordeiro finding his groove bodes well for SJSU (4-5), which must win two of its remaining three games to become eligible for a bowl game. After a bye next week, the Spartans will host Fresno State (6-1) and San Diego State (3-5) before finishing the season at Nevada-Las Vegas (6-2).