Backup quarterback Luke Weaver connected with Montreal native Nick Cenacle for a 22-yard touchdown pass with just 10 seconds remaining as Hawaii staged a remarkable comeback to defeat California 35-31 in an exhilarating Hawaii Bowl showdown on Wednesday night.
Weaver entered the game following a hard hit on starting quarterback Micah Alejado. With Hawaii in field goal range to level the score, coach Timmy Chang opted for a bold move, resulting in Cenacle making a crucial catch between two defenders in the end zone.
Coach Chang, a former standout quarterback for Hawaii, expressed his amazement at the team’s faith and deserving victory. This win marked Hawaii’s first nine-win season since 2019, underlining the team’s progression under Chang’s leadership.
Alejado’s impressive performance included completing 32 of 46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns, spearheading Hawaii’s comeback from a 21-0 deficit. Pofele Ashlock contributed significantly with 14 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns, as Hawaii scored 22 points in the final quarter.
In response, California briefly took the lead 31-28 with just under two minutes left through a touchdown run by freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. However, Alejado’s touchdown pass to Brandon White and a subsequent 2-point conversion put Hawaii back in front, leading to their thrilling victory.
California head coach Nick Rolovich acknowledged Hawaii’s resilience and praised Chang’s strategic decisions that enabled Hawaii to score on their last six possessions.
Hawaii’s victory improved their bowl game record to 9-6, while California’s record dropped to 12-14-1.
Looking ahead, California exceeded expectations by finishing tied for seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference, despite being predicted to finish near the bottom. With Coach Justin Wilcox being replaced by Tosh Lupoi, and Sagapolutele committing to the program for 2026, California is preparing for a new chapter.
Meanwhile, Hawaii, under Chang’s guidance, has a promising future ahead, with key players like Alejado and Ashlock intending to return for the upcoming season.
Sagapolutele’s impressive streak of 178 consecutive passes without an interception puts him on track to challenge the school record set by Jared Goff in 2015.
In the next season, California is set to host UCLA on September 5, 2026, while Hawaii will kick off their campaign against Stanford on August 29 in the Bay Area.