Cal Blows 21-Point Lead in Wild Finish Against Hawaii, Falls 35-31 in Honolulu Heartbreaker
For a while, it looked like Cal was going to cruise into the offseason with an exclamation point. The Bears jumped out to a commanding 21-0 lead in Honolulu, executing with precision on both sides of the ball.
But college football doesn’t hand out wins for fast starts - and Hawaii made sure of that. In a wild, back-and-forth finish, the Rainbow Warriors rallied all the way back and delivered the knockout blow with just 10 seconds left, handing Cal a gut-wrenching 35-31 loss.
Let’s break it down.
A Dream Start Turns Into a Nightmare Finish
Cal couldn’t have scripted a better opening. The Bears were sharp, aggressive, and efficient - especially freshman quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele, who capped his first collegiate season with another poised performance. He went 28-for-39 (72%) with a passing touchdown, a rushing score, and - maybe most impressively - no turnovers.
His go-to guy? Once again, it was Jacob De Jesus, who continues to be a problem for opposing secondaries.
The dynamic receiver hauled in 9 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, and in the process, etched his name into the Cal record books. His 41-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter marked his 101st reception of the season, breaking Dameane Douglas’ 27-year-old single-season school record.
The Bears built their early lead with a blend of quick-strike offense and opportunistic defense. After a defensive stop on Hawaii’s opening drive - which included a gutsy 4th-and-1 conversion by the Warriors that didn’t lead to points - Cal struck fast. Sagapolutele connected with De Jesus for the record-breaking touchdown, and the Bears were off and running.
On the next possession, running back Kendrick Raphael burst through the middle for a 19-yard score. Then it was freshman Anthony League’s turn, punching it in from 8 yards out for his first career touchdown. Just like that, it was 21-0 midway through the second quarter, and the Bears looked like they were in complete control.
Hawaii Wakes Up
But give credit where it’s due - Hawaii didn’t fold. Quarterback Micah Alejado started to find a rhythm late in the second quarter, converting a key 4th-and-1 and eventually hitting Pofele Ashlock for a 13-yard touchdown to get the Warriors on the board.
A blocked punt on Cal’s next possession gave Hawaii prime field position, and while the Bears’ defense held, the Warriors tacked on a field goal to cut the deficit to 21-10 at halftime.
Momentum had shifted.
The Second-Half Slugfest
Hawaii kept chipping away. Another field goal in the third quarter made it 21-13, and early in the fourth, Alejado found Ashlock again - this time from three yards out - followed by a successful two-point conversion to tie the game at 21.
Cal answered with a 71-yard drive capped by a 22-yard Chase Meyer field goal to retake the lead, 24-21. But Hawaii, now brimming with confidence, responded with a controversial touchdown that had to be reviewed. Alejado’s pass to Brandon White in the back of the end zone was initially ruled incomplete, but after review, the call was overturned - and with the extra point, Hawaii took a 28-24 lead.
Still, the Bears weren’t done. Sagapolutele orchestrated a methodical, 75-yard drive, and with under two minutes to play, he punched it in himself from a yard out to give Cal a 31-28 lead. It was a clutch moment for the freshman - the kind of drive that builds confidence and sets the tone for a future leader.
But the defense couldn’t close it out.
The Final Blow
Hawaii’s final drive was a clinic in late-game execution. Alejado, who had already been shaken up multiple times during the game, left the field again after a 13-yard completion to Cam Barfield brought the Warriors to the Cal 22.
Enter backup quarterback Luke Weaver - and he didn’t blink. On his first and only throw of the night, Weaver found Nick Cenacle for a 22-yard touchdown with just 10 seconds left, capping off Hawaii’s remarkable comeback and sealing the 35-31 win.
Cal’s final desperation play - a multi-lateral attempt to recreate “The Play” - fell short. And to make matters worse, tempers flared in the aftermath. A late shove on 5’7” receiver Quaron Adams sparked a sideline-clearing brawl that reignited multiple times before order was restored.
Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Cal, who finishes the season at 7-6 (4-4). This game was theirs for the taking - they had the lead, the momentum, and the ball with under two minutes to play. But a defense that couldn’t get a stop when it mattered most, and a special teams unit that gave up key field position, ultimately cost them.
Still, there are bright spots.
Sagapolutele showed again that he’s the real deal. Calm, accurate, and unshaken by the moment, he gave Cal fans a reason to believe in the future.
De Jesus was electric. And the young pieces - like League and Adams - flashed real potential.
After the game, Sagapolutele kept perspective: “Although we came up short, at the end of the day, God has a plan...This is a big stepping stone for us to get better and I think we’ll come back stronger next year.”
The Bears have work to do - especially on defense and special teams - but the foundation is there. This loss will sting for a while, but if Cal can learn from it, grow from it, and build around their young core, it could be the kind of game they look back on as a turning point.
For now, though, it’s heartbreak in Honolulu.