Hawaii Stuns Cal in Wild Comeback: A Tale of Missed Chances, Late Drama, and a Tough-Learned Lesson
For the first 15 minutes, it looked like Cal was writing the perfect script to close out the season. The Bears jumped out to a 21-0 lead, firing on all cylinders with three straight touchdown drives and a defense that had Hawaii’s high-powered offense spinning its wheels. But as we’ve seen time and time again in college football, a hot start doesn’t guarantee a happy ending-especially when you’re playing on the islands.
Hawaii flipped the switch and never looked back, ripping off a 28-3 run that completely flipped the momentum and ultimately propelled the Rainbow Warriors to a dramatic 35-31 win in the Hawaii Bowl. Cal had control, and then suddenly, they didn’t. And when the dust settled, it was Hawaii celebrating under the Honolulu lights.
A Familiar Pattern for Cal
This wasn’t the first time Cal struggled to respond when the tide turned. Once Hawaii got rolling, the Bears couldn’t stop the bleeding.
The offensive line, which looked sharp early, began to break down-committing costly penalties and allowing pressure that sped up quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s internal clock. The rhythm they had found early evaporated.
Defensively, Cal simply couldn’t get off the field. Hawaii’s run-and-shoot offense started clicking, and once it did, it was relentless.
The Rainbow Warriors scored on their final six possessions of the game, and four of those drives took fewer than four minutes. That kind of tempo wears on a defense, and Cal had no answers.
Interim head coach Nick Rolovich pointed to Hawaii’s offensive motion and balance as key factors that kept Cal guessing. The Bears were on their heels, and they never recovered.
Key Decisions Under the Microscope
Late-game management is always a hot topic when things go sideways, and this one was no different. With under two minutes left, Sagapolutele punched in a go-ahead touchdown on a QB sneak, giving Cal a 31-28 lead.
Some questioned whether the Bears scored too quickly, leaving Hawaii with too much time. But considering Cal’s season-long struggles in the run game-one of the worst in the nation-it’s hard to fault them for taking the points when they had the chance.
The bigger issue? The defense couldn’t make a stop when it mattered. Hawaii marched right down the field and scored the game-winner with just 10 seconds left on the clock.
Earlier in the half, another decision loomed large. Facing a 4th and 9 from Hawaii’s 42-yard line, Cal opted to go for it rather than punt.
A 60-yard field goal was never in play, so the options were limited. Hawaii brought just three defenders on the play-and still got home for their only sack of the night.
That drive turned into the game-tying score, and from there, Hawaii never looked back.
It’s easy to second-guess those calls in hindsight, but with the defense unable to get stops since the second quarter, Rolovich may have simply decided to trust his offense to win the game. Nine yards is a big ask in that spot, but it speaks to the lack of confidence in the other side of the ball.
Looking Ahead: Tosh Lupoi’s Tall Task
With the season now officially in the books, the focus turns to the future-and new head coach Tosh Lupoi has his work cut out for him. This game highlighted several areas that need immediate attention: discipline, situational awareness, and mental toughness. Cal has the pieces, but the execution and consistency just haven’t been there.
The Bears will need to hit the transfer portal hard, both to retain talent and bring in reinforcements. This isn’t a rebuild, but it’s definitely a reset.
And just when it looked like the game had delivered its final twist, Hawaii delivered one more. Starting quarterback Micah Alejado went down with an injury in the final seconds.
Enter backup Luke Weaver, who stepped onto the field and into Hawaii football lore. With the clock ticking down, Weaver calmly led the game-winning drive, sealing the comeback and capping off an unforgettable night.
An Ugly Ending to a Wild Night
Unfortunately, the postgame was marred by an ugly sequence. A series of scuffles broke out between players, and Cal offensive lineman Jordan Spasojevic-Moko was caught throwing a sucker punch after the final whistle.
It was an inexcusable moment that overshadowed what had been a thrilling, if chaotic, game. For a team already facing questions about discipline, this only adds fuel to the fire.
Pride Game, Painful Result
This game didn’t carry championship stakes, but it meant something. For Hawaii, it was about pride-and they earned every bit of this win. For Cal, it was a harsh reminder of how quickly things can unravel and how much work remains to build a team that can finish what it starts.
The Bears won’t lose much in terms of standings or postseason implications, but the loss stings all the same. How they respond in the coming weeks-through recruiting, retention, and preparation-will say a lot about where this program is headed under Lupoi.
The next chapter begins soon. Once Oregon wraps up its College Football Playoff run, Lupoi will officially take the reins. And with a 2026 opener against UCLA on the horizon, the clock is already ticking.