Hawai'i caps rally with last-minute TD to stun Cal

What’s Happening

Let’s talk about Hawai’i rallied for a 35-31 victory over California in the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl.

Hawai’i stuns Cal in Hawai’i Bowl on QB Luke Weaver’s late TD pass play Hawai’i completes 21-point comeback to win Hawai’i Bowl (1:23) Hawai’i beats California 35-31 to win the Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl in comeback style. (1:23) ESPN News Services Dec 25, 2025, 12:27 AM ET Email Print Open Extended Reactions HONOLULU — Backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left, and Hawai’i rallied for a 35-31 comeback victory over California in a thrilling Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl on Wednesday night. (yes, really)

Weaver entered the game after Micah Alejado took a hard hit on the previous play.

The Details

With the Rainbow Warriors (9-4) in range for a tying field goal, coach Timmy Chang took a shot at the end zone, and Cenacle got between two defensive backs and made the contested catch. “It’s a program that is built out of faith, and these guys deserve it, man.

” Editor’s Picks We made score picks for every postseason CFB game Adam Rittenberg MVPs for every bowl game: Micah Alejado helps Hawai’i erase 21-point deficit ESPN 1 Related Chang, Hawai’i’s fourth-year coach who had a record-setting career as the Rainbow Warriors’ quarterback from 2000 to 2004, led his program to its first nine-win season since 2019 — when Nick Rolovich, rn Cal’s interim coach, guided Hawai’i to a 10-5 record. Alejado finished 32-of-46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns, helping Hawai’i rally from an early 21-0 deficit.

Why This Matters

Pofele Ashlock had 14 catches for 123 yards and two TDs for the Rainbow Warriors, who scored 22 points in the fourth quarter. Cal (7-6) pulled ahead 31-28 with 1:57 left on a 1-yard touchdown run by Hawai’i-born freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele , who finished with 343 yards passing and a touchdown. Alejado’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White with 7:19 left gave Hawai’i a 28-24 lead.

This is the kind of move that can define a season.

The Bottom Line

Alejado’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White with 7:19 left gave Hawai’i a 28-24 lead.

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