Hawaii rallies past Cal for biggest comeback in Hawaii Bowl history
The Rainbow Warriors got their Christmas miracle.
Quarterback Micah Alejado and Hawai’i beat the California Golden Bears 35-31 to win the 2025 Hawai’i Bowl on Dec. 24.
Alejado completed 32 of his 46 passes for 274 and three touchdowns for the Rainbow Warriors. He also finished with five carries for 33 yards, including a 12-yard run.
Despite his success throughout the game, Hawaii had to lean on backup quarterback Luke Weaver, who threw the game-winning touchdown – a 22-yard strike to Nick Cenacle – in the final seconds of the game. Alejado had to sit out a play after his helmet came off on the previous play.
Cenacle finished the game with eight catches for 59 yards and the touchdown, while Pofele Ashlock led Hawai’i with 14 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele led Cal’s offense, completing 28 of 39 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown in the loss. The quarterback also rushed for 15 yards and a touchdown on four carries.
Cal had two 100-yard receivers in the contest with Jacob De Jesus grabbing nine catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, and Trond Grizzell tallying eight receptions for 105 yards.
USA TODAY Sports had full coverage of the lone bowl game on Christmas Eve. Here’s how the game between Cal and Hawai’i played out:
Hawaii vs. Cal: Hawaii Bowl highlights
Final: Hawaii 35, Cal 31
The Rainbow Warriors beat Cal with the late touchdown throw by Luke Weaver to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds remaining in the game.
There was some pushing and shoving on the field after the game.
Hawaii leads Cal late
Hawaii backup quarterback Luke Weaver completed a 22-yard touchdown to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left in the game. PAT good. Hawaii leads Cal 35-31.
Starting quarterback Micah Alejado had to sit out the play after his helmet came off on the previous play.
Cal back in front
Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele scores on a 1-yard run to cap off a 10-play, 75-yard drive. PAT good. Cal leads Hawaii 31-28 with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter.
Hawaii takes first lead of game
Quarterback Micah Alejado helped lead Hawaii on a four-play, 59-yard drive to put the Rainbow Warriors ahead of the Golden Bears.
Alejado completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White. Hawaii leads Cal 28-24 with 7:25 left in the fourth quarter.
Cal retakes lead against Hawaii
Kicker Chase Meyer made a 22-yard field goal attempt to give Cal the 24-21 lead with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter. The score capped off a 10-play, 67-yard drive.
Coach Nick Rolovich considered going for it on 4th-and-goal before deciding to call a timeout and settling for the field goal attempt.
Cal, Hawaii tied in fourth quarter
Micah Aleado returned to the game after an injury scare at the end of the third quarter and found Pofele Ashlock to score on a 3-yard touchdown for Hawaii.
Cal and Hawaii are tied at 21 with 13:50 left to play in regulation.
3Q: Cal 21, Hawaii 13
Quarterback Luke Weaver enters the game for the final play of the third quarter after Micah Alejado was slow to get off the field.
Alejado managed to walk off the field on his own and could return to the game in the fourth quarter.
Hawaii cuts into Cal’s lead
Kansei Matsuzawa capped off a 13-play, 61-yard drive with a 39-yard field goal. Cal leads Hawaii 21-13 with 5:58 left in the third quarter.
Halftime: Cal 21, Hawaii 10
Hawaii finished out the first half with some momentum after Kansei Matsuzawa managed to make a 29-yard filed goal attempted with 27 seconds left in the second quarter.
Matsuzawa missed a 50-yard field goal attempt earlier in the game. It was his first miss from 40+ yards this season, according to ESPN.
Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado completed 17 of 28 passes for 131 yards and a passing touchdown in the first half. He also rushed for 16 yards on two carries.
Quarterback Jaron-Keawe finished the first half completing 14 of his 19 passes for 169 yards and a passing touchdown for Cal. He also rushed for 20 yards.
Hawaii scores for the first time
Quarterback Micah Alejado found Pofele Ashlock for the 67-yard touchdown. Kansei Matsuzawa’s PAT attempt was good.
Cal still holds a 21-7 lead with 3:57 left before halftime.
Cal continues to roll
Anthony League rushed up the middle for an eight-yard touchdown run. The play capped off an 8-play, 49-yard drive that took 3:13 off the clock in the second quarter.
Chase Meyer’s PAT attempt was good. Cal leads Hawaii 21-0 with 9:38 left in the first quarter.
Cal extends lead to start second quarter
Kendrick Raphael rushed for 19 yards up the middle to score for the Golden Bears on the first play of the second quarter. PAT was good. Meyer’s PAT attempt was good. Cal leads Hawaii 14-0 with 14:55 left before halftime.
1Q: Cal 7, Hawaii 0
Cal finished out the first score with the lead and a chance to score again. Cal finished out the opening quarter in the red zone on offense.
Hawaii was out-gained 141-47 in the quarter.
Cal scores first
Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele found receiver Jacob De Jesus for the wide-open 41-yard touchdown. Sagapolutele completed all five of his passes on the drive for 64 yards.
Chase Meyer’s PAT attempt was good. Cal leads Hawaii 7-0 with 7:01 left in the first quarter.
Hawaii comes up empty on opening drive
Quarterback Micah Alejado completed four of five passes for 12 yards on the opening drive for Hawaii but the offense was unable to score.
Cal forced the Rainbow Warriors to punt, ending the drive after seven plays and just 13 yards gained.
What channel is Cal vs Hawaii on today?
TV Channel: ESPN
Livestream:Fubo (free trial)
Cal vs Hawai’i will broadcast nationally on ESPN for the Hawai’i Bowl. Chris Cotter and Max Browne will call the game from the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawai’i, with Harry Lyles Jr. reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Watch ESPN and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Cal vs Hawaii time today
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 24
Start time: 8 p.m. ET (3 p.m. Hawai’i-Aleutian standard time)
The Cal vs Hawai’i game starts at 8 p.m. ET (3 p.m. local time) from the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawai’i.
Stream Cal vs Hawai’i with Fubo (free trial)
Cal vs Hawaii predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 22.
Spread: Hawai’i (-1.5)
Moneyline: Hawai’i (-115) | Cal (-105)
Over/under: 52.5
Prediction: Cal 29, Hawaii 27
This will be a real fun one to watch, as the Rainbow Warriors have been a great team to watch and can match-up well with the Golden Bears. However, the difference here will be Sagapolutele. Playing close to home, the Cal quarterback puts on in his home state to push Cal to a last-minute victory.
Cal vs. Hawaii injury report
Probable: Cal CB Hezekiah Masses (undisclosed)
Hawaii football jersey for Hawai’i Bowl
The Rainbow Warriors will wear black jerseys with the black helmets for the Hawai’i Bowl today.