Hawaii stuns Cal in Hawaii Bowl on QB Drew Weaver’s late TD pass

HONOLULU — Backup quarterback Drew Weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass To nick senecal There were 10 seconds left, and Hawaii rallied for a 35-31 victory over California in a thrilling Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday night.

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.

Chang, Hawaii’s fourth-year coach, who had a record-setting career as the Rainbow Warriors’ quarterback from 2000-04, 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 went 32 of 46 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,

Cal took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. anthony league8-yard TD run.

takeaway Cal was picked to finish third to last in the Atlantic Coast Conference preseason media poll, but finished the season ranked seventh in the ACC. Coach Justin Wilcox was fired last month and will be replaced by Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi next season. Sagapolutele committed to staying With the program scheduled for 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.

Ahead Cal will host UCLA on September 5, 2026.

Hawaii will also open next season in the Bay Area when it visits Stanford on Aug. 29.

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