HONOLULU (AP) — In a nail-biting finish, Hawaii’s backup quarterback Drew Weaver connected with Nick Cenacle for a dramatic 22-yard touchdown with just 10 seconds left, securing a 35-31 comeback victory over California in the Hawaii Bowl.
Weaver stepped in after starting quarterback Micah Alejado took a hard hit. With the game tied and time winding down, Coach Timmy Chang made a bold decision to go for the end zone. Cenacle expertly split two defenders to make a contested catch.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Chang, who played quarterback for Hawaii from 2000 to 2004. Under his guidance, the Rainbow Warriors celebrated their first nine-win season since 2019, when Nick Rolovich led them to a 10-5 finish.
Alejado had a strong showing, completing 32 of 46 passes for 274 yards, along with three touchdowns. The team rallied from a challenging 21-0 deficit, with Pofele Ashlock shining brightly. He caught 14 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, helping Hawaii score 22 points in a thrilling fourth quarter.
California, on the other hand, had taken a 31-28 lead with 1:57 left in the game thanks to a touchdown run by freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who threw for 343 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his potential.
Earlier in the game, Hawaii seized momentum when Alejado threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White, lifting them to a 28-24 lead. After tying the game with another TD to Ashlock, they successfully converted a 2-point conversion.
Interestingly, California entered the season with low expectations, predicted to finish near the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They ended up tied for seventh. With the recent firing of Coach Justin Wilcox, there are changes ahead, as Oregon’s defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi will take over.
For Hawaii, the future looks promising despite leading receiver Jackson Harris announcing his transfer. Alejado and Ashlock are both committed to returning, adding to the team’s potential next season.
As we look ahead, California will host UCLA on September 5, 2026. Meanwhile, Hawaii will kick off their next season at Stanford on August 29.
For more details on college football trends and season projections, you can visit ESPN’s college football section.
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Rainbow Warriors, Micah Alejado, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, Nick Rolovich, Cal, Timmy Chang, HAWAII, touchdown pass, California Golden Bears, Pofele Ashlock
