Marquez Cooper leads San Diego State to victory over Hawaii in MWC opener

In a thrilling Mountain West Conference opener held in San Diego, Marquez Cooper showcased his skills by rushing for 109 yards and scoring two touchdowns, leading San Diego State to a narrow 27-24 victory over Hawaii. The game was tightly contested, with Cooper's final touchdown coming from a 2-yard run that capped an impressive 87-yard drive, leaving just over seven minutes on the clock. Hawaii attempted to respond but faced a critical fourth-and-2 situation, which ended in a loss of yards, sealing their fate. San Diego State's quarterback, Danny O'Neil, contributed significantly by completing 24 of 34 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown, while Nate Bennett emerged as a key receiver with four catches for 74 yards. On the other side, Hawaii's Brayden Schager threw for 272 yards, connecting on three touchdown passes but also throwing an interception. Despite their efforts, the Rainbow Warriors could not secure a win, marking a disappointing start to their conference play. This match highlighted the competitive nature of the Mountain West Conference and set the stage for both teams' upcoming challenges as they aim to improve their standings in the league.