Hawaii Bowl ends in last-minute score and fight

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The Hawaii Bowl ended in dramatic fashion! Hawaii trailed by 21 points in the fourth quarter and lost its starting quarterback, who had powered its comeback.

With 15 seconds left, Hawaii’s backup quarterback, Luke Weaver, threw a 21-yard touchdown on his third pass of the day to Nick Cenacle, taking 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. Hawaii closed out a 35-31 win over Cal.

Despite going down late in the game, Hawaii freshman quarterback Micah Alejado was part of the comeback as much as anyone. Alejado was 32-46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns.

Alejado wasn’t the only prolific freshman quarterback in the game. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele finished 28-39 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.

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 at 7-6. Next year, they will be led by a new head coach after firing 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.