In a dramatic finish, the University of Hawaii football team rallied to defeat California 35-31 in the Hawaii Bowl, scoring the winning touchdown with only 10 seconds remaining to cap a stunning comeback from a 21-point deficit. Backup quarterback Luke Weaver’s 22-yard pass to Nick Cenacle sealed the victory, highlighting a game filled with momentum shifts and clutch performances.
Hawaii found itself in a deep hole early, trailing 21-0 in the second quarter after California’s Anthony League scored on an 8-yard run. However, the Rainbow Warriors began to chip away, with starting quarterback Micah Alejado leading the charge. Alejado finished the game 32 of 46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns, orchestrating a steady offensive resurgence that set the stage for the late heroics.
The fourth quarter turned into a scoring frenzy, with Hawaii putting up 22 points to complete the turnaround. Key plays included Alejado’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White that gave Hawaii a 28-24 lead with 7:19 left, and a two-point conversion that tied the game earlier in the quarter. Pofele Ashlock was instrumental, hauling in 14 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns, providing a reliable target throughout the contest.
California responded with its own late surge, as freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a Hawaii native, scored on a 1-yard run to put the Golden Bears ahead 31-28 with just under two minutes remaining. Sagapolutele had an impressive outing, passing for 343 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to withstand Hawaii’s final drive. The game’s climax came when Weaver, subbing in after Alejado took a hard hit, connected with Cenacle in the end zone under pressure.
Coaches from both sides praised the competitive spirit of the game. Hawaii’s Timmy Chang, a former star quarterback for the program, expressed pride in his team’s resilience, saying, ‘These boys just keep continuing to fight through adversity.’ Cal’s interim coach Nick Rolovich, who previously coached Hawaii to a 10-5 season in 2019, acknowledged the Warriors’ effort, noting they ‘fought to the end’ and deserved credit for the victory.
The win marks Hawaii’s first nine-win season since 2019 and improves their all-time bowl record to 9-6. For California, the loss drops their bowl record to 12-14-1, capping a season where they exceeded preseason expectations by finishing tied for seventh in the ACC after being picked near the bottom. The game also highlighted transitional periods for both programs, with Cal preparing for a new coach next season and Hawaii building momentum under Chang’s leadership.
Looking ahead, both teams have reasons for optimism. Sagapolutele has committed to staying with California in 2026, while Hawaii expects key players like Alejado and Ashlock to return. The victory adds another memorable chapter to the Hawaii Bowl’s history and sets the stage for future matchups, with Hawaii scheduled to visit Stanford and Cal hosting UCLA to open the 2026 season.
