HONOLULU - San José State (7-5, 6-2 MW) has accepted an invitation to compete in the 2023 EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl against Coastal Carolina (7-5, 5-3 Sun Belt) on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. (PT) from the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus, announced by ESPN on Thursday.
The game will be nationally-televised on ESPN, heard nationally on ESPN Radio, locally on KTRB 860 AM, simulcasted on ESPN+ and shown on ESPN Deportes for the first ever meeting between the schools. This will also be the first-ever trip to the EasyPost Hawai‘I Bowl for the Spartans, and 13th overall bowl game appearance, tallying a record of 7-5.
"It is great to see our football team get rewarded for finishing the Mountain West regular-season tied for first by getting an invitation to the EasyPost Hawai'l Bowl," said Director of Athletics Jeff Konya. "Our program has a lot of connections to the islands, and I know our team, coaching staff, alumni and fans are excited about going to Hawai‘i. We have a compelling story with a six-game winning streak and are thrilled to be competing against Coastal Carolina on ESPN on December 23."
It's SJSU head coach Brent Brennan's third bowl game as head coach, and he is the first head coach to lead the Spartans to three bowl games overall. It’s also the third bowl game for the Spartans in the last four years for the first time in program history. It’s also the first time since 1992 that the Spartans have had back-to-back over .500 seasons and the first time since 1987 with back-to-back seven wins or better seasons.
“I’m so excited for our team to play at the EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl,” Brennan said. “I’m so excited for Chevan. This is a real special opportunity for us and we’re going to play a big-time opponent in Coastal Carolina. The coolest thing about this is that we get to bring Chevan Cordeiro home for his final college football game. I can’t think of a better ending for a tremendous player and a great human being.”
SJSU quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, a First-Team All-Mountain West quarterback, is a Honolulu native and played at Hawai‘i for three seasons before transferring to San José State for the last two years. Four other Spartans prepped at Hawai‘I high schools including kicker Kyler Halvorsen who also transferred from Hawai’I, plus Brennan was an assistant coach at Hawai‘i and worked under legendary coach Dick Tomey at SJSU. Brennan’s cousin is Hawai‘i legend the late Colt Brennan and defensive line coach Joe Seumalo also grew up in the 50th state.
“Congratulations to both San José State University and Coastal Carolina University on successful seasons and welcome to the EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl,” Executive Director Daryl Garvin said. “As first-time participants in the EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl, we can’t wait to showcase our state and everything bowl week has to offer. We look forward to welcoming the players, coaches, and fans of both universities to experience the beauty of Hawai‘i.”
This will be the second trip to Hawai‘i for the Spartans this season after defeating the Rainbow Warriors 35-0 in late October in the same stadium.
The EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl is known for its high scoring, thrilling offenses, and close games with two overtime contests and seven games decided by one touchdown or less. In addition to promoting the island way of life by sponsoring events intrinsic to Hawai‘i, the bowl supports many non-profit organizations through the Hawai‘i Bowl Foundation. More than $1.7 million has been awarded to local charities since the inception of the Hawai‘i Bowl Foundation. Additionally, through the Extra Yard for Teachers program, the EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl has partnered with Teach for America Hawai’i to support teachers, schools and students.
SJSU Bowl History (7-5)
- 2022: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Boise, Idaho, Eastern Michigan 41, San José State 27
- 2020: Arizona Bowl, Tucson, Ariz., Ball State 34, San José State 13 (Played without 30+ players due to Covid protocols)
- 2015: Cure Bowl, Orlando, Fla., San José State 27, Georgia State 16
- 2012: Military Bowl, Washington, D.C., San José State 29, Bowling Green 20
- 2006: New Mexico Bowl, Albuquerque, N.M., San José State 20, New Mexico 12
- 1990: California Raisin Bowl, Fresno, Calif., San José State 48, Central Michigan 24
- 1987: California Bowl, Fresno, Calif., Eastern Michigan 30, San José State 27
- 1986: California Bowl, Fresno, Calif., San José State 37, Miami (Ohio) 7
- 1981: California Bowl, Fresno, Calif., Toledo 27, San José State 25
- 1971: Pasadena Bowl, Pasadena, Calif., Memphis State 28, San José State 9
- 1949: Raisin Bowl, Fresno, Calif., San José State 20, Texas Tech 13
- 1947: Raisin Bowl, Fresno, Calif., San José State 20, Utah State 0
TICKETS: Head here to support the Spartans at the 2023 EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl.
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