Hawaii Rallies from 21-0 Hole to Beat Cal 35-31 in Hawaii Bowl

In a dramatic finish to the Hawaii Bowl, backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds remaining, lifting the University of Hawaii to a 35-31 comeback victory over the University of California, Berkeley, on Wednesday night in Honolulu.

The Rainbow Warriors, who improved to 9-5 with the win, overcame a 21-0 halftime deficit against the 7-6 Golden Bears. Hawaii coach Timmy Chang, in his fourth year leading the program where he once set passing records as a player from 2000 to 2004, opted for the aggressive call instead of a field goal attempt that would have tied the game. Cenacle hauled in the contested catch between two Cal defenders in the end zone.

"This is a program that is built out of faith, and these guys deserve it," Chang said after the game, his team achieving its first nine-win season since 2019.

Hawaii's freshman starter Micah Alejado sparked the rally before exiting late with an injury. He completed 32 of 46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns, including a 17-yard scoring strike to Brandon White that gave Hawaii a 28-24 lead with 7:19 left in the fourth quarter. Alejado also connected with Pofele Ashlock for two...