Hawaii Shocks Cal With Last-Minute 35-31 Bowl Game Victory/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds left as Hawaii stunned California 35-31 in the 2025 Hawaii Bowl. The Rainbow Warriors overcame a 21-point deficit, scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter. The win marked Hawaii’s first nine-win season since 2019.
Hawaii Bowl 2025: Quick Looks
- Hawaii beat Cal 35-31 in a dramatic Hawaii Bowl finish.
- Backup QB Luke Weaver threw the game-winning TD with 10 seconds left.
- Starting QB Micah Alejado passed for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Hawaii overcame a 21-0 deficit and scored 22 points in the 4th quarter.
- WR Pofele Ashlock had 14 catches, 123 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
- Cal’s freshman QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele passed for 343 yards and 1 TD.
- Hawaii secured its first nine-win season since 2019.
- Cal will begin a new coaching era in 2026 under Tosh Lupoi.
Deep Look: Backup QB Luke Weaver Leads Hawaii to Stunning 35-31 Hawaii Bowl Win Over Cal
HONOLULU — In one of the most electrifying finishes of the 2025 college football season, the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat the California Golden Bears 35-31 in the Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday night, thanks to a last-minute touchdown pass from backup quarterback Luke Weaver.
With just 10 seconds left on the clock and Hawaii in field goal range, Coach Timmy Chang made a bold call — go for the end zone instead of the tie. The gamble paid off. Weaver, who had just entered the game after starting quarterback Micah Alejado took a hard hit, delivered a perfect 22-yard strike to wide receiver Nick Cenacle. Cenacle fought through tight coverage and hauled in the pass between two defenders, securing the game-winning score.
“How amazing is that?” Chang said after the game. “It’s a program built on faith, and these guys deserve it, man.”
Rallying from Behind
Hawaii (9-4) trailed 21-0 early in the second quarter, but the Rainbow Warriors stormed back behind Alejado, who completed 32 of 46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. His connection with star wide receiver Pofele Ashlock proved crucial throughout the game, especially in the fourth quarter.
Ashlock finished with a game-high 14 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He and Alejado sparked Hawaii’s comeback, with Alejado also tossing a fourth-quarter 17-yard touchdown to Brandon White that temporarily gave Hawaii a 28-24 lead.
Cal (7-6), led by freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele — a Hawaii native — responded with a 1-yard touchdown run to reclaim the lead at 31-28 with just under two minutes left. Sagapolutele impressed with 343 passing yards and a touchdown, and extended his streak to 178 consecutive passes without an interception — just seven shy of Jared Goff’s school record.
Still, Hawaii had one more rally in them.
Clutch Decision and a Dramatic Finish
As the clock ticked down, Hawaii marched into scoring position. With Alejado sidelined for the final plays, Weaver stepped in and delivered the throw of the night. Chang, known for his bold coaching style, trusted his backup and went for the win instead of overtime — a decision that capped off a thrilling night of football in Honolulu.
“These boys just keep fighting through adversity,” said Chang, who notched his first nine-win season as head coach. “They learn the hard way, but they learn how to do it — and that’s what’s important.”
Chang himself is a Hawaii legend, having starred at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors from 2000 to 2004. Now in his fourth season as head coach, he has guided the program to its first bowl victory since 2020.
Cal’s Coaching Change and Future Outlook
Cal entered the Hawaii Bowl under interim coach Nick Rolovich, who previously led Hawaii to a 10-5 season in 2019. Rolovich praised the Rainbow Warriors’ resilience after the game.
“They fought to the end and deserve a lot of credit for that,” Rolovich said. “Timmy deserves a lot of credit too.”
The Golden Bears’ performance closed out an up-and-down season in which they were initially projected to finish near the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference but ended in a mid-table tie for seventh. Longtime head coach Justin Wilcox was fired earlier in December, and Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is set to take over the program in 2026. Sagapolutele has committed to staying with Cal next season, giving the new coaching staff a promising foundation.
Bowl Game Milestones
- Hawaii improved to 9-6 all-time in bowl games.
- Cal fell to 12-14-1 in postseason play.
- The Rainbow Warriors scored on their final six offensive drives.
- Despite the departure of top receiver Jackson Harris to the transfer portal, Alejado and Ashlock are expected to return in 2026.
Looking Ahead
Hawaii will open its 2026 season on the road against Stanford on August 29. Cal will return to action at home on September 5 against UCLA, starting a new era under Lupoi.
The Hawaii Bowl delivered a thrilling end to the year for fans and players alike — especially for Luke Weaver, whose unexpected moment in the spotlight will be remembered for years to come.
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