Hawai”i capped off a remarkable comeback with a last-minute touchdown to defeat California 35-31 in the Sheraton Hawai”i Bowl on Wednesday night. Backup quarterback Luke Weaver, stepping in for the injured Micah Alejado, connected with Nick Cenacle on a 22-yard touchdown pass with just 10 seconds remaining in the game.
Weaver entered the game after Alejado was hit hard on the previous play. With the Rainbow Warriors (9-4) poised to tie the game with a field goal, head coach Timmy Chang opted for a bold play towards the end zone. Cenacle managed to slip between two defenders and secure the catch, leaving the coach elated. “How amazing is that? It”s a program that is built out of faith and these guys deserve it, man,” Chang remarked.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Chang, who previously set records as Hawai”i”s quarterback from 2000 to 2004. His leadership has guided the team to its first nine-win season since 2019, the year when Nick Rolovich, now serving as California”s interim coach, led the team to a 10-5 record. Alejado had a strong performance, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, helping the team recover from a daunting 21-point deficit.
Pofele Ashlock was a standout performer for the Rainbow Warriors, catching 14 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. The team scored an impressive 22 points in the fourth quarter, demonstrating their resilience. California (7-6) had taken a 31-28 lead with less than two minutes remaining, thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a freshman quarterback from Hawai”i who finished with 343 passing yards and one touchdown.
Alejado previously threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White, bringing the score to 28-24 with just over seven minutes left. The Rainbow Warriors tied the game early in the fourth quarter when Alejado found Ashlock for another touchdown and successfully converted a two-point attempt 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 stated.
California established an early 21-0 advantage in the second quarter thanks to Anthony League”s eight-yard touchdown run. Rolovich commended Chang and the Rainbow Warriors for their effort, asserting, “They fought to the end and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Timmy deserves a lot of credit for that.” With this victory, Hawai”i improved its all-time bowl game record to 9-6, while California”s record fell to 12-14-1.
As the season wraps up, California, predicted to finish low in the Atlantic Coast Conference, ended the year tied for seventh. Coach Justin Wilcox was dismissed last month and Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi will take over next season. Sagapolutele has committed to remaining with the program through 2026, promising a bright future for the Golden Bears.
Despite leading receiver Jackson Harris announcing his intention to transfer, Alejado and Ashlock have confirmed their plans to return, providing a solid foundation for the Rainbow Warriors as they head into Chang”s fifth season. Sagapolutele also boasts an impressive streak, having thrown 178 consecutive passes without an interception, just seven short of the school record set by Jared Goff in 2015.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
