After dominating performances from its fall sports teams that captured five straight wins to open the season, the Santa Clara University athletic department won the inaugural Rivalry Series against San Jose State University by a score of 20-10. The Rivalry Series between the two schools was announced last fall and begun for the 2002-03 season.
The annual winner of the series, presented in association with the San Jose Sports Authority, is determined by a points system based on head-to-head competition in the 13 sports in which the two schools compete. The winner of each sport receives a predetermined number of points for that particular school.