SAN JOSE, Calif. — Former Hawaii quarterback Chevan Cordeiro made his presence felt immediately at his new home.

San Jose State's signal-caller accounted for all three Spartan touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:11 left, as SJSU came back to defeat Portland State of the FCS, 21-17, at CEFCU Stadium on Thursday night.

What You Need To Know

  • Saint Louis School alumnus and ex-Hawaii quarterback Chevan Cordeiro got his San Jose State football career started Thursday by leading the Spartans to a 21-17 comeback win over Portland State of the FCS

  • Cordeiro, who in his four years as a Rainbow Warrior totaled 58 touchdowns, left Manoa in December as the first notable player to defect to the NCAA transfer portal at the end of Todd Graham's second season

  • Multiple other starting-caliber players followed Cordeiro out the door in the ensuing days and weeks, eventually resulting in a state senate hearing and Graham's resignation

  • UH and SJSU will play in the Mountain West Conference regular-season finale on Nov. 26 in San Jose

Portland State led 17-14 for most of the fourth quarter before Cordeiro finally punched in the deciding 2-yard keeper score. It was one of two rushing TDs for the ex-Rainbow Warrior, who entered the transfer portal in December to kick off a series of notable player defections from UH under then-head coach Todd Graham.

“We needed a score. We needed that win. I was ready to give it my all and do whatever I can to get that touchdown,” Cordeiro, a Saint Louis School graduate, said afterward.

He also had a first-quarter scramble in which he weaved through the Vikings secondary for a 32-yard score. 

Spartans coach Brent Brennan marveled afterward about Cordeiro’s fast-twitch abilities.

“It hasn’t surprised us because we had to defend it for the last three years,” Brennan said. “We knew Chevan was a nightmare. Our defensive staff is so glad he’s here. It was awesome to see him do some of that stuff.”

Cordeiro was 15-for-30 passing for 239 yards and an aerial touchdown, and no interceptions. He netted 0 yards on the ground because he lost 57 yards on seven sacks, negating his 57 gained on seven keepers.

“At the end of the day, one of the great things about him, is he is a true quarterback, and he is a real pocket passer,” Brennan said. “So, he’s not going to jump ship and get out of there too early, because he’s waiting for something to develop or someone to get open. That led to a couple of those sacks. But I don’t think Chevan cares about his stats so much. I think he cares about winning. I thought that showed up on the last play of the game (for us).”

On SJSU’s two drives prior to its go-ahead score, the Spartans came up empty on a 30-yard field goal and went incomplete on fourth down from the Portland State 1.

Cordeiro said his team didn’t overlook the FCS opponent.

“College football isn’t easy. There’s a lot of upsets happening. We (weren’t) taking them lightly,” he said. “We knew that was going to be a tough game. We knew we had to work, we knew we had to bring it. … There were a lot of things we made mistakes on. It shouldn’t have been this close, but we got the win, and that’s all that matters.”

He was asked about his comfort level with his new team and being on the mainland.

“I’m comfortable up here. I felt good,” Cordeiro replied, noting his parents were in attendance. “I love this team and I feel like we gotta fix things up and we’ll have a bright season ahead of us.”

SJSU heads to Auburn next week and will be a significant underdog to the traditional SEC powerhouse.

In his four-year UH career, Cordeiro threw for 6,167 yards and 45 passing touchdowns, plus another 1,083 yards and 13 rushing TDs. Because of a redshirt season, plus the extra COVID year, he has another year of eligibility in 2023.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii.