HONOLULU, HI — In a dramatic finish under the island lights, Hawaiʻi capped its bowl season with a stunning comeback, scoring in the final seconds to defeat California 35–31 in the Hawaiʻi Bowl on Wednesday night.
Pressed into action on the game’s biggest snap, backup quarterback Drew Weaver delivered the defining moment. After starter Micah Alejado was shaken up on the previous play, Weaver stepped in and fired a 22-yard touchdown strike to Nick Cenacle with just 10 seconds remaining, sealing the Rainbow Warriors’ victory and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
With the ball already in field-goal range, head coach Timmy Chang opted for aggression. The gamble paid off as Cenacle split two defenders and secured the contested catch in the end zone for the game-winning score.
The win marked a milestone for Chang, who guided Hawaiʻi to its first nine-win season since 2019. Chang, a former record-setting quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors from 2000–04, continues to build momentum in his fourth year at the helm.
Alejado played a pivotal role in the comeback before exiting late, completing 32 of 46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Hawaiʻi erased an early 21–0 deficit and exploded for 22 points in the fourth quarter. Pofele Ashlock was nearly unstoppable, hauling in 14 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Hawaiʻi tied the game early in the final period when Alejado connected with Ashlock for their second scoring strike, then followed with a successful two-point conversion pass to Cam Barfield. Later, Alejado found Brandon White for a 17-yard touchdown with 7:19 remaining to give the Rainbow Warriors a brief 28–24 lead.
California answered late. Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a Hawaiʻi native, powered in from a yard out with 1:57 left to put the Golden Bears back in front, 31–28. Sagapolutele finished with 343 passing yards and a touchdown, showcasing promise for the future.
But the final possession belonged to Hawaiʻi. After Cal failed to extend the lead, Weaver’s late heroics ended the contest, followed by an emotional celebration that briefly spilled into a postgame skirmish between the teams.
California jumped out early behind Anthony League’s 8-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter and looked poised to control the night. Despite the loss, the Golden Bears closed the season 7–6 after outperforming expectations in their first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Cal, picked near the bottom of the ACC preseason poll, finished tied for seventh. The program is set to turn the page next season, with Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi slated to take over after Justin Wilcox’s dismissal. Sagapolutele has already committed to staying with the Bears through 2026.
For Hawaiʻi, the future appears bright. Despite the absence of leading receiver Jackson Harris, who announced plans to transfer, key contributors Alejado and Ashlock have both indicated they intend to return next season.
Up Next:
California will host UCLA on Sept. 5, 2026, while Hawaiʻi heads into the offseason with renewed optimism after a statement bowl victory at home.
