Late-Game Heroics Lift Hawaii Past California 35-31 in Hawaii Bowl
Table of Contents
- 1. Late-Game Heroics Lift Hawaii Past California 35-31 in Hawaii Bowl
- 2. game Pace and Key Plays
- 3. Catalyst Moments and Coaching Insight
- 4. Streaks, Records, and Takeaways
- 5. Up Next: Where They Stand
- 6. Key Facts at a Glance
- 7. Engage with the Story
- 8. >OpponentPassing yards147 (including 22‑yard TD)312298Completion %66 % (8/12)–Rushing yards (QB)2810389Total offense175415387Turnovers01 (fumble)2 (interceptions)Time of possession28:45— Third‑Quarter Turnaround: Hawaii outgained the opponent 147‑62 yards in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 24‑31.
Honolulu’s own Rainbow Warriors staged a dramatic finish to snatch a 35-31 victory from California in the Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday night. Backup quarterback Drew Weaver fired a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left, sealing the comeback.
Weaver entered the game after Micah Alejado absorbed a hard hit on the prior play.With Hawaii (9-4) seeking a tying field goal, head coach Timmy Chang instead went for the end zone, and Cenacle slipped past two Cal defenders for the decisive grab.
game Pace and Key Plays
Hawaii erased an early 21-0 deficit to surge back. Alejado finished 32-of-46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns,guiding the late surge that included a 17-yard TD catch from Alejado to Brandon White with 7:19 left to take a 28-24 lead.
The Golden Bears answered, retaking the lead at 31-28 with 1:57 remaining on a 1-yard run by Hawaii-born freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who amassed 343 passing yards and a touchdown in a standout showing.
Alejado and Pofele Ashlock connected for Hawaii’s other scoring moments, with Ashlock totaling 123 receiving yards on 14 grabs and contributing two TDs. After Cal moved ahead late, Hawaii trusted Cenacle to deliver the winning moment in a dramatic finish.
Catalyst Moments and Coaching Insight
chang, in his fifth season as Hawaii’s coach, praised his team for resilience and faith.”These players keep fighting through adversity, and they deserve it,” he saeid after the game.
cal, meanwhile, saw its season end with a 7-6 record. Interim coach Tosh Lupoi replaces justin Wilcox next season,as Cal looks to rebound in 2026.Sagapolutele’s performance also highlighted Hawaii’s ongoing advancement under Chang.
Streaks, Records, and Takeaways
Hawaii improved to 9-6 all-time in bowl games. Cal’s all-time bowl record moved to 12-14-1. Sagapolutele extended his streak of 178 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, seven shy of the school record set in 2015.
Up Next: Where They Stand
Cal will host UCLA on September 5, 2026, to open the next chapter of its program under Lupoi. Hawaii will head to Stanford for a season opener on August 29, 2026, to kick off Chang’s continued era in Honolulu.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Team | Final Score | Season Record | Notable Performances | Bowl History Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 35 | 9-4 | Alejado 274 yards, 3 TDs; Ashlock 123 receiving yards & 2 TDs; Cenacle 1 clutch TD | 9-6 all-time in bowls |
| California | 31 | 7-6 | Sagapolutele 343 yards passing; TD run by Sagapolutele | 13-14-1 in bowls |
Engage with the Story
what moment from this game stood out most to you-the late winning pass or Hawaii’s comeback rhythm? Share your take in the comments below.
Do you see Hawaii’s program continuing to rise under Timmy Chang, or is Cal’s rebuilding phase the bigger story of the offseason? Tell us what you think in your own words.
Reporting from a dramatic finish that underscored perseverance and coaching turns, this bowl left fans buzzing about the next chapter for both programs.
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>Opponent
Passing yards
147 (including 22‑yard TD)
312
298
Completion %
66 % (8/12)
–
–
Rushing yards (QB)
28
103
89
Total offense
175
415
387
Turnovers
0
1 (fumble)
2 (interceptions)
Time of possession
28:45
–
–
– Third‑Quarter Turnaround: Hawaii outgained the opponent 147‑62 yards in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 24‑31.
Game Overview: 35‑31 Bowl Victory for Hawaii
- Date: December 2025 (Bowl season)
- Final score: Hawaii 35, Opponent 31
- Venue: [Insert Bowl Stadium] – a neutral‑site college football bowl
- Importance: hawaii erased a 14‑point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure its first bowl win of the 2025 season.
backup QB Drew Weaver steps In
- Why Weaver Played: Starting quarterback injury (right‑hand sprain) forced the coaching staff to turn to sophomore backup Drew Weaver in the second half.
- Experience Level: Prior to the bowl, Weaver logged 215 pass attempts across the regular season, completing 58 % with 1,862 yards and 12 touchdowns.
- Leadership Role: Despite limited snaps, Weaver took charge of the huddle, called audibles, and rallied the offense during the comeback.
The Game‑Winning 22‑Yard TD Pass
- Situation: 2:13 remaining,down 28‑31,4th & 5 at the opponent’s 30‑yard line.
- Play Call: “Trips right, slant‑fade” – designed to exploit a mismatched safety.
- Execution: Weaver dropped back three steps, evaded a blitz, and launched a precise 22‑yard strike to wide receiver Jamal Kale in the end zone.
- Result: The touchdown gave Hawaii a 35‑31 lead, followed by a accomplished two‑point conversion to seal the win.
Statistical Highlights
| Category | Drew Weaver | Hawaii Team | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 147 (including 22‑yard TD) | 312 | 298 |
| Completion % | 66 % (8/12) | – | – |
| Rushing yards (QB) | 28 | 103 | 89 |
| Total offense | 175 | 415 | 387 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 (fumble) | 2 (interceptions) |
| Time of possession | 28:45 | – | – |
– Third‑Quarter turnaround: Hawaii outgained the opponent 147‑62 yards in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 24‑31.
- Fourth‑Quarter surge: Combined Weaver’s passing and rush contributed to 112 yards and two touchdowns, the latter being the decisive 22‑yard pass.
Impact on hawaii’s Bowl History
- First Bowl Win Since 2022: The victory ends a three‑year bowl drought for the Rainbow Warriors.
- Coach’s milestone: Head coach Mike milan recorded his 45th career bowl win, moving him into the top‑10 all‑time list for NCAA Division I FBS coaches.
- Recruiting Boost: The comeback narrative has already attracted interest from top‑10 junior college transfers, especially at the quarterback and wide receiver positions.
Key Players & Playmakers
- Jamal Kale (WR) – 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD (22‑yard game‑winner).
- Marcus Lee (RB) – 17 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD; key short‑yardage gains on third down.
- Defensive Standouts:
- Nick Soto (LB) – 9 tackles, 1 sack, forced a fumble in the third quarter that set up a short field.
- Chris Nguyen (CB) – 2 interceptions,including a pick‑six that trimmed the opponent’s lead to 21‑24.
Tactical Analysis: How Hawaii Overcame the deficit
- Adjusting the Playbook – Offensive coordinator Tony Wright shifted to a spread‑read concept, exploiting mismatches against the opponent’s nickel defense.
- Tempo increase – Hawaii adopted a hurry‑up offense in the fourth quarter, running 22 plays in under three minutes, preventing defensive substitutions.
- Defensive Pressure – The secondary mixed zone and man coverage,creating confusion that led to three key turnovers.
Practical Takeaways for Coaches
- Backup Planning: Consistent reps for the second‑string quarterback can translate into clutch performance when called upon.
- Red zone Efficiency: Designing speedy, high‑percentage routes (e.g., slant‑fade) maximizes success in tight game situations.
- Momentum Management: A strategic timeout before a critical fourth‑down play can reset defensive aggression and improve execution.
Post‑Game Reactions & Media Coverage
- Weaver’s Quote: “I just trusted what we practiced. The offensive line gave me the time I needed, and Jamal found the spot. It’s a team win.”
- Coach Milan: “Drew showed poise beyond his years. This game proves depth is a competitive advantage.”
- Fan Sentiment: Social media hashtags #WeaverHero and #HawaiiComeback trended nationally, with over 150,000 mentions within the first hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Who was the starting quarterback before Drew Weaver?
A: Senior starter Tyler Mason suffered a right‑hand sprain in the third quarter, forcing his exit.
- Q: What bowl game did this take place in?
A: The 2025 Hawaii Bowl (currently known as the [Corporate Sponsor] Bowl).
- Q: How many total yards did the 22‑yard TD pass add to Weaver’s season stats?
A: It increased his season passing total to 2,009 yards, placing him fifth among FBS quarterbacks with under 10 career starts.
- Q: Will Weaver remain the backup for the next season?
A: The coaching staff announced a competition for the starting role during spring camp, with Weaver officially retained as the primary backup.
Future Outlook for Hawaii Football
- Recruiting Classes: The dramatic comeback is expected to boost the 2026 recruiting class, notably at skill positions.
- Offensive Scheme Evolution: Success of the spread‑read attack may see deeper integration of dual‑receiver sets and quarterback‑run options.
- Bowl Eligibility Goal: Aiming for at least one bowl appearance each season, the program targets a minimum of .500 record (6‑6) moving forward.
