Battle for the Valley

Fresno State–San Jose State football rivalry
Fresno State Bulldogs
San Jose State Spartans
First meetingNovember 19, 1921
San Jose State, 14–2
Latest meetingNovember 29, 2025
Fresno State, 33–10
Next meetingSeptember 19, 2026
TrophyValley Trophy (2013–present)
Statistics
Meetings total88
All-time seriesFresno State leads, 46–39–3[1]
Trophy seriesFresno State, 7–5
Largest victoryFresno State, 63–12 (1999)
Longest win streakFresno State, 12 (1991–2005)
Current win streakFresno State, 2 (2024–present)
60km
37miles
San Jose State
Fresno State
Locations of Fresno State and San Jose State

The Fresno State–San Jose State football rivalry, also known as the Battle for the Valley[2] is a college football rivalry between the Fresno State Bulldogs football team of California State University, Fresno and the San Jose State Spartans football team of San José State University. From 2013 to 2025, the two teams played annual, contests as Mountain West Conference opponents. Starting in 2026, the rivalry will be played as a non-conference match-up.

The rivalry is rooted in the two schools' relatively close proximity to one another in the state of California. The city of Fresno is located approximately 150 miles southeast of San Jose. San Jose State is the founding campus of the California State University system, of which Fresno State is also a member.

Additionally, Fresno State and San Jose State are both located in geographical valleys. Fresno is located in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley while San Jose is located in the Santa Clara Valley, which is now more widely known as Silicon Valley. The locations of the two schools account for the names Valley Cup, Valley Bowl and the Battle for the Valley.

As of 2025, Fresno State leads the series 46–39–3.

Historical overview

The Bulldogs and Spartans first played each other in 1921, which San Jose State won 14–2. San Jose State led the series from 1949 to 2001, but Fresno State tied it at 32–32–3 with a victory in 2002 and recaptured the lead in 2003. Beginning in 2013, the winner of the game is awarded the Valley Trophy.[3][4] The trophy features a silver letter V, with an electrical transistor pattern down one side, and a grape vine pattern down the other, representing each school's representative geographic region.

Conference match-up status

The rivalry has frequently alternated between period of it being a conference match-up and a non-conference match-up. Since 1921, Fresno State and San Jose State have shared conference affiliation in numerous athletics conferences including the California Coast Conference, Far Western Conference, California Collegiate Athletic Association, Big West Conference, and the Western Athletic Conference.

The rivalry took a one-year break in 2012 after conference realignment temporarily separated the two schools, with Fresno State moving to the Mountain West Conference while San Jose State stayed in the Western Athletic Conference. It resumed as a conference rivalry in 2013 when San Jose State joined the Mountain West, and again ended as a conference match-up when Fresno State joined the Pac-12 Conference. The schools reached a contract to extend their series past 2025, now as a non-conference match-up.[5]

Notable games

1986

See also: 1986 San Jose State Spartans football team and 1986 Fresno State Bulldogs football team

On October 4, 1986, the No. 19 Fresno State Bulldogs, riding a nation‑leading 11‑game winning streak, traveled to San Jose State for the Spartans’ homecoming. A crowd of 28,158 packed Spartan Stadium, the largest in the venue’s history to that point.

The contest marked the Pacific Coast Athletic Association opener for both teams.[6] San Jose State jumped out to a commanding 24–0 first-half lead, but Fresno State rallied to tie the game and take the lead twice in the second half.[6] Bulldogs quarterback Kevin Sweeney connected with wide receiver Stephen Baker three times for long gains of 30, 45, and 84 yards.[7] A 49-yard Barry Belli field goal extended Fresno State's lead to 41–31 with 1:15 remaining, prompting much of the crowd to leave.[6]

Spartan quarterback Mike Perez then drove San Jose State 63 yards on five plays, aided by a Fresno State penalty for too many men on the field, finishing with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Guy Liggins. Sergio Olivarez converted the point after to cut the Spartans' deficit to 41–38 with 42 seconds remaining.[6]

San Jose State then executed an onside kick, with Freddie Payton dislodging the ball, which Chris Alexander recovered at the Fresno State 48-yard line with 39 seconds left.[6] After an incomplete pass, Perez hit Lafo Malauulu for a first down at the 22. On the next play, Perez escaped the grasp of Bulldog defensive lineman Jethro Franklin and threw to Malauulu in the left corner of the end zone for the touchdown with 18 seconds remaining, which San Jose State rode to a 45–41 victory.[6][7]

Perez finished 33-of-53 passing for 433 yards and five touchdowns.[6] Liggins caught 15 passes for a school-record 203 yards and two touchdowns,[6] while tailback Kenny Jackson rushed 25 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. San Jose State totaled 555 yards of offense on the day.[6] The Spartans also set an NCAA record with 24 penalties for 199 yards.[7]

The victory snapped Fresno State's 11-game winning streak and moved San Jose State to 3–2 overall, making them the favorite in the PCAA. The Spartans ended the regular season ended the season 9–2, winning the PCAA championship, before winning the 1986 California Bowl against the Miami Redskins, 37–7.[8] Fresno State fell to 3–1,[6] and ended the season 9–2.

The game was later named the 1986 Sports Illustrated NCAA Game of the Year.[9]

2013

See also: 2013 San Jose State Spartans football team and 2013 Fresno State Bulldogs football team

On November 29, 2013, the San Jose State Spartans hosted the No. 16 Fresno State Bulldogs in a Mountain West Conference matchup that served as the regular-season finale for both teams. The Bulldogs entered the game with an unblemished 10–0 record and aspirations of securing a BCS bowl berth; the Spartans, at 5–6, needed a victory to become bowl eligible.[10] Additionally, the 2013 game was the first game played for the newly introduced Valley Trophy.[4]

After the first quarter, the Fresno State lead with 27–21.[11] In the second quarter, Spartan quarterback David Fales capped a late drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Jones with 50 seconds remaining in the half, giving San Jose State a 42–41 lead.[11] Both Fales and Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr had thrown six touchdown passes by halftime, combining for more than 800 passing yards in the first half of the game.[10][12]

To open the second half, San Jose State head coach Ron Caragher, drawing on a suggestion from assistant coach Terry Malley, a 14-year coach of the arena football team the San Jose SaberCats, called for an onside kick.[10] Kicker Harrison Waid recovered his own attempt, and tailback Thomas Tucker capped the ensuing drive with a 7-yard touchdown run.[10]

San Jose State held Fresno State to a field goal on the next possession, then extended its lead further when Fales scored on a 1-yard keeper.[10] The Spartans' defense then delivered a blow when linebacker Keith Smith intercepted an underthrown pass from Carr, breaking the Bulldogs quarterback's streak of 305 consecutive passes without an interception.[10] A subsequent Austin Lopez field goal pushed the San Jose State lead to 62–44.[10] Fresno State scored a late touchdown with two minutes remaining, but the Spartans recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to secure a 62–52 victory.[10][11]

Fales finished 37-of-45 for a single-game school-record 547 yards and six touchdowns,[12] while Carr completed 38-of-50 passes for 519 yards, six scores, and one interception.[12] Jones led San Jose State's receivers with eight catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns; freshman Tyler Winston added 10 receptions for 164 yards and a score.[13] For Fresno State, Davante Adams hauled in 13 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns.[11] The two teams combined for 1,382 yards of total offense and 63 first downs.[12] San Jose State held the time-of-possession advantage, controlling the ball for 39:23 to Fresno State's 20:37.[12]

The victory gave San Jose State bowl eligibility and marked the program's first win over a ranked opponent since defeating the No. 9 TCU Horned Frogs in 2000.[10] The Spartans ended the season 6–6, and placed 4th in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference. Despite their victory earning them bowl eligibility, they were not selected to play in a bowl game.

For Fresno State, the loss ended both its undefeated season and its hopes of reaching a BCS bowl game.[10][12] The Bulldogs ended the regular season 10–1, and placed 1st in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference. They went on to beat the No. 24 Utah State Aggies 24–17 in the Mountain West Championship game, before losing to the No.21 USC Trojans in the 2013 Las Vegas Bowl, 45–20.

Statistics

Fresno State San Jose State
Games played 88
Wins 46 39
Ties 3
Home wins 23 22
Road wins 23 17
Consecutive wins 12 7
Most total points in a game 114
Most points in a win 63 65
Most points in a loss 52 30
Fewest total points in a game 0
Largest margin of victory 50 42
Smallest margin of victory 1 1
Total points scored in series 1,994 1,908
Shutouts of opposing team 4 2
Source:[14]

Game results

Fresno State victoriesSan Jose State victoriesTie games
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
1 November 18, 1921 Fresno, CA San Jose State 14–2
2 October 24, 1925 San Jose, CA Fresno State 23–7
3 November 6, 1926 San Jose, CA Fresno State 34–0
4 November 5, 1927 San Jose, CA Fresno State 10–7
5 November 16, 1929 Fresno, CA San Jose State 26–14
6 November 15, 1930 San Jose, CA Fresno State 27–12
7 October 17, 1931 San Jose, CA Fresno State 32–0
8 October 21, 1932 San Jose, CA Tie0–0
9 November 18, 1933 San Jose, CA San Jose State 18–0
10 November 3, 1934 San Jose, CA Tie7–7
11 November 24, 1939 San Jose, CA San Jose State 42–7
12 November 16, 1940 Fresno, CA San Jose State 14–7
13 November 15, 1941 San Jose, CA Tie0–0
14 November 26, 1942 Fresno, CA Fresno State 6–0
15 November 22, 1946 San Jose, CA San Jose State 13–2
16 November 27, 1947 San Jose, CA Fresno State 21–20
17 November 19, 1948 San Jose, CA San Jose State 41–6
18 November 24, 1949 Fresno, CA San Jose State 43–7
19 November 3, 1950 San Jose, CA San Jose State 33–7
20 October 6, 1951 Fresno, CA San Jose State 32–6
21 October 10, 1952 San Jose, CA San Jose State 40–6
22 October 3, 1953 Fresno, CA San Jose State 27–21
23 November 19, 1954 San Jose, CA San Jose State 28–0
24 November 18, 1955 Fresno, CA Fresno State 19–13
25 November 22, 1956 San Jose, CA Fresno State 30–14
26 November 16, 1957 Fresno, CA Fresno State 13–6
27 November 15, 1958 San Jose, CA San Jose State 48–6
28 October 17, 1959 Fresno, CA San Jose State 40–14
29 November 11, 1960 San Jose, CA Fresno State 27–12
30 November 18, 1961 Fresno, CA Fresno State 36–27
31 November 10, 1962 San Jose, CA Fresno State 20–14
32 November 16, 1963 San Jose, CA San Jose State 56–27
33 November 21, 1964 San Jose, CA San Jose State 26–14
34 November 20, 1965 Fresno, CA Fresno State 24–18
35 November 19, 1966 San Jose, CA Fresno State 15–13
36 November 18, 1967 Fresno, CA San Jose State 35–30
37 September 28, 1968 San Jose, CA San Jose State 25–21
38 November 21, 1970 San Jose, CA Fresno State 27–19
39 September 18, 1971 Fresno, CA Fresno State 14–7
40 September 30, 1972 San Jose, CA Fresno State 23–21
41 September 15, 1973 Fresno, CA San Jose State 24–6
42 September 14, 1974 San Jose, CA San Jose State 28–7
43 November 1, 1975 Fresno, CA San Jose State 21–7
44 October 23, 1976 San Jose, CA San Jose State 21–7
45 October 22, 1977 Fresno, CA Fresno State 45–24
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
46 October 21, 1978 San Jose, CA San Jose State 26–16
47 October 13, 1979 Fresno, CA San Jose State 35–22
48 October 11, 1980 San Jose, CA San Jose State 26–14
49 October 3, 1981 Fresno, CA San Jose State 65–33
50 October 23, 1982 San Jose, CA Fresno State 39–27
51 October 8, 1983 Fresno, CA San Jose State 41–23
52 October 27, 1984 San Jose, CA San Jose State 18–17
53 October 12, 1985 Fresno, CA Fresno State 37–17
54 October 4, 1986 San Jose, CA San Jose State 45–41
55 October 17, 1987 Fresno, CA San Jose State 20–16
56 October 29, 1988 San Jose, CA Fresno State 17–15
57 November 4, 1989 Fresno, CA #25 Fresno State 31–30
58 November 17, 1990 San Jose, CA San Jose State 42–7
59 November 23, 1991 Fresno, CA Fresno State 31–28
60 September 3, 1994 Fresno, CA Fresno State 45–13
61 October 12, 1996 Fresno, CA Fresno State 28–18
62 November 1, 1997 San Jose, CA Fresno State 53–12
63 November 21, 1998 Fresno, CA Fresno State 24–21
64 November 20, 1999 Fresno, CA Fresno State 63–12
65 November 25, 2000 San Jose, CA Fresno State 37–6
66 November 23, 2001 Fresno, CA #23 Fresno State 40–21
67 November 23, 2002 San Jose, CA Fresno State 19–16
68 November 15, 2003 Fresno, CA Fresno State 41–7
69 November 27, 2004 San Jose, CA Fresno State 62–28
70 November 5, 2005 Fresno, CA #21 Fresno State 45–7
71 December 2, 2006 San Jose, CA San Jose State 24–14
72 October 20, 2007 Fresno, CA Fresno State 30–0
73 November 21, 2008 San Jose, CA Fresno State 24–10
74 October 17, 2009 Fresno, CA Fresno State 41–21
75 October 23, 2010 San Jose, CA Fresno State 33–18
76 November 26, 2011 Fresno, CA San Jose State 27–24
77 November 29, 2013 San Jose, CA San Jose State 62–52
78 November 8, 2014 Fresno, CA Fresno State 38–24
79 September 26, 2015 San Jose, CA San Jose State 49–23
80 November 26, 2016 Fresno, CA San Jose State 16–14
81 October 7, 2017 San Jose, CA Fresno State 27–10
82 November 24, 2018 Fresno, CA Fresno State 31–13
83 November 30, 2019 San Jose, CA San Jose State 17–16
84 November 25, 2021 San Jose, CA Fresno State 40–9
85 October 15, 2022 Fresno, CA Fresno State 17–10
86 November 11, 2023 San Jose, CA San Jose State 42–18
87 October 26, 2024 Fresno, CA Fresno State 33–10
88 November 29, 2025 San Jose, CA Fresno State 41–14
Series: Fresno State leads 46–39–3[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Winsipedia - Fresno State Bulldogs vs. San Jose State Spartans football series history". Winsipedia.
  2. ^ Weiner, Matt (October 16, 2022). "Bulldogs retain Valley Trophy, as SJSU football suffers 17–10 loss". The Spear SJSU. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  3. ^ San Jose State Athletics (December 6, 2013). "Spartan Football Weekly presented by Una Mas 1.12". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2014. The trophy is shown at the 0:30 mark.
  4. ^ a b Durkin, Jimmy (November 6, 2014). "Clearing up some Valley Trophy questions". Spartan Central. Mercurynews.com. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  5. ^ "SJSU and Fresno State Extend Battle for the Valley Rivalry Game". SJSU Athletics - Official Athletics Website - San Jose State Spartans. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Betterton, Terry (October 5, 1986). "Perez rallies San Jose to win over Fresno State". The Bakersfield Californian. pp. 45 & 50.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b c Press, Larry (October 5, 1986). "San Jose has its bowl game early". The Bakersfield Californian. p. 45.
  8. ^ "Bowl Games" (PDF). p. 108. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "Reddit - Please wait for verification". www.reddit.com. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "San Jose State stuns Fresno State 62-52". The Mercury News. November 29, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d Coleman, Scott (November 30, 2013). "Fresno State vs. San Jose State final score: Spartans shock undefeated Bulldogs, 62-52". SB Nation. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "San Jose State crushes BCS hopes of No. 16 Fresno State". Sports Illustrated. November 30, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  13. ^ "San Jose State ends Fresno State's shot at BCS game". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  14. ^ "Fresno State Bulldogs vs. San Jose State Spartans football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
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