The Hawaii Bowl ended in dramatic fashion on Christmas Eve, as Hawaii came back from a 21-point second-quarter deficit against Cal to win 35-31, even after losing its starting quarterback.
With 15 seconds left in the game, Hawaii’s backup quarterback, Luke Weaver, threw a 21-yard touchdown on his third pass of the day to Nick Cenacle to take the lead. Cenacle finished with eight catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Cal’s comeback attempt fell short after a series of laterals led to a fumble and a postgame fight between the two teams. Shoves from each team led to both benches clearing, which led to the majority of the players on the field.
Advertisement
This is the second consecutive day a bowl game has ended with a postgame fight; Louisville and Toledo ended in a scuffle the night before in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Despite going down late in the game, Hawaii freshman quarterback Micah Alejado was part of the comeback as much as anyone. Alejado was 32 of 46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
Alejado wasn’t the only prolific freshman quarterback in the game. Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele finished 28 of 39 for 343 yards and a touchdown.
Hawaii receiver Pofele Ashlock finished with 14 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Cal receiver Jacob De Jesus added nine catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, while running back Kendrick Raphael rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Advertisement
Hawaii finished 9-4 in its fourth year under head coach and former Rainbow Warriors quarterback Timmy Chang. This was Hawaii’s first winning season since 2019, when Cal’s current interim coach and Chang’s former teammate, Nick Rolovich, led Hawaii to a 10-5 record.
Cal finished the year 7-6. After firing head coach Justin Wilcox with one game remaining in the season, Cal hired former Oregon defensive coordinator and Cal defensive lineman Tosh Lupoi as its next head coach.
