Backup quarterback Drew Weaver delivered a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds remaining, lifting Hawaii to a 35-31 comeback win over California in the 2025 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl in Honolulu on Wednesday night. Weaver was inserted after starter Micah Alejado absorbed a hard hit on the previous snap, and head coach Timmy Chang opted to attack the end zone rather than settle for a tying field goal. The Rainbow Warriors rallied from an early 21-0 deficit to record their first nine-win season since 2019. The game settled on a dramatic contested catch by Cenacle between two defenders with seconds left, sealing the victory for Hawaii.
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii defeated California 35-31 in the 2025 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl in Honolulu, with the decisive TD coming on a 22-yard pass from backup Drew Weaver with 10 seconds left.
- Micah Alejado completed 32 of 46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns before exiting due to a hard hit; Pofele Ashlock finished with 14 catches for 123 yards and two TDs.
- Hawaii scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to erase an early 21-0 deficit and finish the season 9-4, the program’s best since 2019.
- Cal finished the season 7-6; freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a Hawaii native, threw for 343 yards and accounted for a late 1-yard rushing TD that briefly put Cal ahead.
- Timmy Chang, in his fourth year as Hawaii’s head coach, guided the team to its first nine-win season since his own era produced a 10-5 record in 2019 under then-coach Nick Rolovich.
- Cal announced a coaching change this month: Justin Wilcox was fired and Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is slated to replace him next season.
Background
The Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl matchup paired Hawaii (9-4) against a Cal squad that finished 7-6 after a season of transition. Hawaii entered the game with momentum under Timmy Chang, who once starred at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors from 2000-04 and has steadily rebuilt the program. Cal arrived after a turbulent stretch that included a late-season coaching change; Justin Wilcox was dismissed last month and the program announced Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi as the incoming coach for next season.
Preseason expectations and conference forecasts differed sharply from final outcomes: Cal was picked near the bottom in its preseason media poll for the Atlantic Coast Conference but ended up tied for seventh in the league standings. Hawaii, meanwhile, sought to restore national relevance for the program on the back of a balanced passing attack led by Alejado and a prolific receiving season from Ashlock. The bowl setting in Honolulu provided a regional storyline as well, with freshman Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele returning to his home islands for the game.
Main Event
The game unfolded as a swing contest. California jumped to a 21-0 advantage early in the second quarter, capitalizing on momentum and early defensive stands to build what looked like a comfortable lead. Hawaii responded over the second half as Alejado orchestrated multiple scoring drives, hitting Brandon White for a 17-yard touchdown with 7:19 remaining to pull Hawaii back into contention at 28-24.
Early in the fourth quarter Hawaii tied the game when Alejado connected with Pofele Ashlock for their second touchdown and then completed a two-point conversion pass to Cam Barfield. The Rainbow Warriors poured in 22 points in the fourth quarter overall, erasing the deficit and setting the stage for a chaotic finish. Cal retook the lead, 31-28, with 1:57 left when Sagapolutele — the Hawaii-born freshman — punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown after throwing for 343 yards on the night.
On the penultimate drive, Alejado suffered a heavy hit on the play prior to the decisive snap and was replaced by backup Drew Weaver. With Hawaii in range for a tying field goal, Chang chose to attack the end zone; Weaver found Nick Cenacle between two defensive backs for a contested 22-yard touchdown with 10 seconds remaining. The play completed a comeback that began in the middle quarters and denied Cal a late-season victory.
Analysis & Implications
Hawaii’s comeback underscores the depth of its passing corps and the coaching staff’s willingness to be aggressive in late-game scenarios. Alejado’s stat line (32-for-46, 274 yards, three TDs) reinforces that the offense can sustain drives and produce big-play opportunities, while Ashlock’s 14-catch, 123-yard performance marks him as a clear focal point for defenses next season. That combination gives Hawaii a returning core to build on as Timmy Chang prepares for his fifth season.
For Cal, the loss highlights issues the incoming staff must address, including late-game defensive coverage and special-teams situational decisions. The unit surrendered a contested catch in the end zone under pressure, and turning a 21-point advantage into a loss will prompt schematic and personnel reviews. The program also faces broader questions about continuity and recruiting under new leadership from Tosh Lupoi.
On a roster level, Hawaii reported that Jackson Harris did not play after announcing his intention to transfer; meanwhile, Alejado and Ashlock have indicated plans to return. Those commitments, if maintained, would preserve a substantial portion of Hawaii’s offensive production for 2026. Cal confirmed that Sagapolutele plans to remain with the program in 2026, an important retention for the Golden Bears’ quarterback depth amid coaching turnover.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Final Score | Record | Top Passer (yds) | Top Receiver (rec/yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 35 | 9-4 | Alejado 274 | Ashlock 14/123 |
| California | 31 | 7-6 | Sagapolutele 343 | — |
The table above summarizes key game statistics and season records. Hawaii’s ability to produce a high-volume passing night and a 22-point fourth quarter contrasts with Cal’s early dominance and final-yard defensive lapse. These numbers frame roster decisions and offseason priorities for both programs.
Reactions & Quotes
Hawaii’s locker room conveyed relief and excitement after the comeback win, emphasizing depth and adaptability. The coaching staff highlighted situational aggressiveness on the final drive and praised the players’ execution under pressure.
Paraphrase: Timmy Chang described the finish as a testament to the team’s resilience and preparation.
Postgame remarks, Timmy Chang (paraphrase)
Cal’s staff acknowledged the bitter nature of the loss and the need to evaluate late-game strategy. Players and coaches noted the emotional difficulty of surrendering a multi-score lead in a bowl setting.
Paraphrase: California’s interim staff said the team must learn from the closing sequence and shore up coverage on contested targets.
Postgame comments, Cal staff (paraphrase)
Fans and local media in Honolulu celebrated the dramatic finish, with many highlighting Weaver’s composure and Cenacle’s contested catch as the game’s turning moment.
Paraphrase: Supporters called the catch a defining moment for the program’s momentum into next season.
Local reaction & social coverage (paraphrase)
Unconfirmed
- The long-term severity of Micah Alejado’s injury is unreported; his availability for offseason programs and the 2026 season has not been officially cleared.
- The exact personnel and schematic changes incoming coach Tosh Lupoi will implement at Cal remain to be announced and are subject to further staff hiring decisions.
- Formal confirmation of Jackson Harris’s transfer destination and timing has not been made public beyond his stated intent to transfer.
Bottom Line
Hawaii’s 35-31 comeback win in the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl will be remembered for a late, high-risk end-zone play that paid off and for a fourth-quarter surge that erased a 21-point hole. The victory gives Timmy Chang and his staff tangible momentum as they enter spring and offseason recruiting, with key contributors signaling intentions to return.
For Cal, the game caps a turbulent season marked by coaching change and a 7-6 finish; the program will confront roster stability and schematic questions under new leadership. Both teams leave Honolulu with clear offseason priorities: Hawaii to sustain and build on offensive chemistry, and Cal to stabilize personnel and defensive execution ahead of the Lupoi era.