Honolulu — Backup Quarterback luke weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to nick senecal with 10 seconds remaining, and Airport rallied for Comeback win 35-31 Above California Wednesday night in an exciting Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.
Weaver entered the game later mica alejado Dealt a crushing blow to the last game. With the Rainbow Warriors (9-4) in range on the tying field goal, coach Timmy Chang took a shot in the end zone, and Senecal got in between two defensive backs and made the contested catch.
“How amazing is this?” Chang said. “This is a program built on belief, and these guys deserve it, man.”
Chang, Hawaii’s fourth-year coach who had a record-setting career as the Rainbow Warriors’ quarterback from 2000 to 2004, led his program to its first nine-win season since 2019 — when Nick Rolovich, currently Cal’s interim coach, guided Hawaii to a 10-5 record.
Alejandro completed 32 of 46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns, helping Hawaii overcome an early 21–0 deficit. Poffel Ashlock Had 14 catches for 123 yards and two TDs for the Rainbow Warriors, who scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Cal (7-6) went ahead 31-28 with 1:57 remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by the Hawaii-born freshman quarterback. Jaron-Kiwe SagapoluteleJoe finished with 343 yards passing and a touchdown.
Alejandro’s 17-yard touchdown pass brandon white Hawaii took a 28-24 lead with 7:19 left. The Rainbow Warriors tied it early in the fourth quarter when Alejandro connected with Ashlock for his second TD and then completed a 2-point conversion pass cam barfield,
Chang said, “These boys keep fighting through adversity and I love them for that. They learn the hard way, but they learn how to do it and that’s what’s important.”
Cal took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. anthony league8-yard TD run.
Rolovich tipped his hat to Chang and the Rainbow Warriors, who scored on their final six drives.
Rolovich said, “They fought to the end and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Timmy deserves a lot of credit for that.”
Hawaii fell to 9–6 in bowl games, while Cal fell to 12–14–1.
Cal was picked to finish third to last in the Atlantic Coast Conference preseason media poll, but finished the season ranked seventh. Coach Justin Wilcox was fired last month and will be replaced by Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi next season. Sagapolutele has committed to remain with the program into 2026.
Hawaii has a lot to build on as it enters its fifth season at Chang’s. Although the leading receiver jackson harris Announced their intentions to transfer and did not play on Wednesday, Alejandro and Ashlock have said they plan to return.
Sagapolutele has thrown 178 consecutive passes without an interception, seven fewer than Jared Goff’s school record set during the 2015 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
