How about them Rainbow Warriors, huh? A Hawai‘i Bowl already loaded with storylines delivered its most unforgettable twist in the final seconds. Backup quarterback Luke Weaver lofted a 22‑yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds remaining, lifting Hawai‘i to a stunning 35–31 win over California on Wednesday night before a sold‑out crowd at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.
The Rainbow Warriors (9–4) erased a 21‑0 deficit - tying the largest comeback in program history - and capped a breakthrough season with one of the most dramatic bowl wins the school has ever produced.
Starting quarterback Micah Alejado engineered the bulk of the rally, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns before exiting with an injury on the game’s final drive. Weaver, who had stepped in twice earlier in the game, entered with 15 seconds left and instantly etched his name into Hawai‘i lore with the game‑winning strike to Cenacle.
Hawai‘i’s comeback matched historic rallies against Michigan State in 2004 and Washington in 2007, and delivered the program’s ninth bowl victory - and perhaps its most improbable.
Cal (7–6) dominated early, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions to build a 21‑0 lead midway through the second quarter. But Hawai‘i responded with scores on six straight drives, beginning with a one‑handed, 30‑yard grab by Pofele Ashlock that sparked the Warriors’ first touchdown. Ashlock, named Hawai‘i Bowl MVP, finished with a career‑high 14 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
A blocked punt by Riis Weber set up a late first‑half field goal, and Hawai‘i entered halftime down 21–10. Kansei Matsuzawa added another field goal to open the third quarter, and the defense - led by Peter Manuma and Wynden Ho‘ohuli with eight tackles each - stiffened after a shaky start.
Alejado tied the game early in the fourth quarter with a shovel‑pass two‑point conversion to Cam Barfield after Ashlock’s second touchdown. Cal briefly regained the lead with a field goal, but Hawai‘i answered when Brandon White hauled in a 17‑yard fade that was overturned to a touchdown on review.
Cal quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele, who threw for 343 yards, pushed the Bears back in front with a quarterback sneak at the 1:57 mark. But Hawai‘i had one more drive left.
Alejado guided the Warriors to the Cal 22 before leaving with an injury. Weaver entered cold - and delivered the throw of the season, hitting Cenacle in stride for the game‑winner. Cenacle finished with eight catches for 59 yards, including the decisive score.
The win gave Hawai‘i its first nine‑win season since 2019 and its third straight postseason victory. It also marked another milestone for head coach Timmy Chang, who has now been part of four nine‑win seasons at UH - three as a player and now one as head coach.
The Warriors opened the year with a walk‑off win over Stanford. They ended it with another walk‑off - this time to close out a season that signaled Hawai‘i’s return to national relevance.
