Lead
In Honolulu on Wednesday night, backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds remaining to lift Hawaii to a 35-31 victory over California in the Hawaii Bowl. Weaver had entered after Micah Alejado sustained a hard hit on the previous play, and head coach Timmy Chang elected to attack the end zone rather than play for a tying field goal. The rally completed a comeback from a 21-0 deficit and secured Hawaii’s ninth win of the season. California finished the season 7-6 after the loss.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Hawaii 35, California 31; game-winning TD was a 22-yard pass with 10 seconds left.
- Backup Luke Weaver delivered the decisive play after Micah Alejado was shaken up earlier on the drive.
- Alejado completed 32 of 46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns while leading the mid-game comeback.
- Pofele Ashlock recorded 14 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns, both key to Hawaii’s surge.
- Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a Hawaii native, threw for 343 yards and accounted for a 1-yard rushing TD that put Cal ahead with 1:57 remaining.
- Hawaii scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and scored on its final six drives to finish strong.
- Hawaii finished the season with nine wins under fourth-year coach Timmy Chang; Cal finished 7-6 for the season.
Background
Hawaii entered the bowl seeking a strong finish to Timmy Chang’s fourth season as head coach; Chang, a former Hawaii record-setting quarterback (2000–2004), has emphasized a rebuild that now yields the program’s first nine-win season since 2019. The Rainbow Warriors had trailed early after Cal built a 21-0 lead, reflecting a burst by California in the second quarter keyed by Anthony League’s 8-yard touchdown run.
California came into the matchup with a 7-5 record and recent staff changes: Justin Wilcox was dismissed last month and the program is slated to be led next season by Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, according to team announcements. The bowl matched two programs with different trajectories—Hawaii riding late-season momentum and Cal in transition after the coaching change.
Main Event
The turning point sequence began when Micah Alejado took a heavy hit on a previous play, prompting a substitution that brought Weaver into the game. With the Warriors within scoring range, coach Timmy Chang chose to target the end zone on the final play of a decisive drive rather than settle for a field-goal attempt. Weaver’s pocket throw found Nick Cenacle between two defenders for a contested 22-yard catch as time expired.
Alejado’s earlier work energized the comeback: he completed a long drive capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White with 7:19 left to put Hawaii ahead 28-24. Hawaii then answered an early fourth-quarter Cal score when Alejado connected with Ashlock for a second TD and completed a successful two-point conversion to Cam Barfield, knotting the game before Cal regained the lead.
Cal’s lead came on a short touchdown run by freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele with 1:57 to play, a score that followed his 343-yard passing night. But Hawaii responded methodically on its final drives, culminating in Weaver’s late-game touchdown pass that the defense could not overturn in the final seconds.
Analysis & Implications
Strategically, Chang’s decision to attack the end zone on the final possession reflected confidence in his receiving corps and a desire to finish games aggressively rather than play the percentages. The playcall capitalized on Cenacle’s matchup opportunities and on Weaver’s composure in relief—an example of situational risk-taking that paid off with the victory.
For Hawaii, the comeback underscores improved depth at quarterback and receiver, and it highlights a late-season offensive cohesion that should help recruitment and momentum entering Chang’s fifth season. With Alejado and Ashlock indicating plans to return, the program retains key building blocks to sustain offensive production.
For Cal, the loss punctuates a season of transition. The team generated strong yardage—Sagapolutele’s 343 passing yards—but was unable to close the contest. The impending coaching change to Tosh Lupoi will shift staff priorities and defensive philosophy; how quickly Cal adjusts will shape recruiting and performance in 2026.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Hawaii | California |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 35 | 31 |
| Leading passer | Alejado 32/46, 274 yds, 3 TD | Sagapolutele 343 yds, 1 TD |
| Top receiver | Pofele Ashlock 14 rec, 123 yds, 2 TD | — |
| Notable streak | Hawaii scored on final six drives | Sagapolutele 178 passes without INT (7 shy of school record) |
The statistics show Hawaii’s fourth-quarter surge and balanced passing attack overcame an early 21-point hole. While Cal produced high yardage totals, turnovers and red-zone execution proved decisive; Hawaii converted late opportunities into points at a higher rate on the game’s final drives.
Reactions & Quotes
After the game Chang framed the comeback as evidence of the program’s character and credited the players’ resilience over the season.
“How amazing is that? It’s a program that is built out of faith and these guys deserve it, man.”
Timmy Chang, Hawaii head coach
Cal interim coach Nick Rolovich, who coached Hawaii to a 10-5 season in 2019, praised Chang and acknowledged Hawaii’s late-game execution.
“They fought to the end and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Timmy deserves a lot of credit for that.”
Nick Rolovich, Cal interim coach
Unconfirmed
- The long-term status of Micah Alejado’s condition after the hard hit during the final drive has not been publicly detailed beyond postgame updates.
- Jackson Harris announced his intent to transfer and did not play; specific timing and destination of any transfer have not been confirmed by the player or receiving programs.
Bottom Line
Hawaii’s 35-31 Hawaii Bowl win showcased a resilient offensive performance and strategic boldness by coach Timmy Chang, turning a 21-point deficit into a season-defining victory. The final-play decision to target the end zone rather than seek a tying kick altered the outcome and will be cited as a key moment in Chang’s tenure.
For Hawaii, the result provides momentum and continuity heading into the next recruiting cycle if core players like Alejado and Ashlock return as indicated. For Cal, the loss closes a 7-6 season in a period of staff transition and raises questions about red-zone defense and late-game management that the incoming staff will need to address.