Hawaii completes shocking comeback over Cal with…
HONOLULU — Backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard landing move to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left, and Hawaii rallied for a 35-31 comeback victory over California in a thrilling Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday evening.
Weaver entered the sport after Micah Alejado took a onerous hit on the earlier play. With the Rainbow Warriors (9-4) in vary for a tying area objective, coach Timmy Chang took a shot at the end zone, and Cenacle bought between two defensive backs and made the contested catch.
“How amazing is that?” Chang said. “It’s a program that is built out of faith and these guys deserve it, man.”
Chang, Hawaii’s fourth-year coach who had a record-setting profession as the Rainbow Warriors’ quarterback from 2000-04, led his program to its first nine-win season since 2019 — when Nick Rolovich, at the moment Cal’s interim coach, guided Hawaii to a 10-5 file.
Alejado completed 32 of 46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns, serving to Hawaii rally from an early 21-0 deficit. Pofele Ashlock had 14 catches for 123 yards and two TDs for the Rainbow Warriors, who scored 22 factors in the fourth quarter.
Cal (7-6) pulled forward 31-28 with 1:57 left on a 1-yard landing run by Hawaii-born freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who completed with 343 yards passing and a landing.
Alejado’s 17-yard landing move to Brandon White with 7:19 left gave Hawaii a 28-24 lead. The Rainbow Warriors tied it early in the fourth quarter when Alejado linked with Ashlock for their second TD and then accomplished a 2-point conversion move to Cam Barfield.
“These boys just keep continuing to fight through adversity and I love them for that. They learn the hard way, but they learn how to do it and that’s what’s important,” Chang said.
Cal took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter on Anthony League’s 8-yard TD run.
Rolovich tipped his cap to Chang and the Warriors, who scored on their last six drives.
Hawai’i beginning QB Micah Alejado (12) holds up the trophy after the staff’s Hawai’i Bowl win over Cal on Dec. 24, 2025. Getty Images
“They fought to the end and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Timmy deserves a lot of credit for that,” Rolovich said.
Hawaii improved to 9-6 all-time in bowl video games, while Cal fell to 12-14-1.
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