Cal Football Heads to Hawaii Bowl With Familiar Faces, Fresh Energy, and a Homecoming Vibe
It’s been a whirlwind December for Cal football, and the Bears are heading into the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl with more than just a postseason berth on the line - they’re carrying momentum, a new coaching era, and a whole lot of island pride.
Let’s start with the big moves. Cal introduced Tosh Lupoi as its new head coach, a hire that signals a bold new direction for the program.
Lupoi, known for his defensive pedigree and recruiting chops, won’t be on the sidelines just yet - he’s finishing out the season as Oregon’s defensive coordinator during their College Football Playoff run. In his place, it’ll be interim head coach Nick Rolovich leading the Bears on Christmas Eve.
And if you know anything about Rolovich’s ties to Hawaii, you know this game is personal.
The Bears also locked in their quarterback of the future - and present - as Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele committed to staying in Berkeley for his sophomore season. That’s a major win for Cal. Sagapolutele has shown flashes of high-level potential, and now he gets to close out his freshman campaign in his home state, in front of friends and family.
“I’m really excited … to be able to go home and play in front of people that I love,” Sagapolutele said. “For my family to see me play at home, so they don’t have to travel out (to Berkeley) - that’ll be nice for them.”
This return to the islands is more than just a bowl game for Sagapolutele and several other Cal players with Hawaiian roots, like freshman safety Aiden Manutai. It’s a full-circle moment - and the same can be said for Rolovich.
Rolovich spent four seasons as Hawaii’s head coach from 2016 to 2019, going 2-1 in bowl games and helping rebuild the Rainbow Warriors’ program into a Mountain West contender. Now, he returns to the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, not as the home team’s leader, but as the man trying to beat them.
“It’s a place that gave me a lot in my life,” Rolovich said. “I met my wife there, had one of my children there, started my (Division I) coaching career there. (I’m) really excited to see the people that I had so many laughs with and great experiences with.”
This isn’t just a nostalgic trip for Rolovich - he’s coming off a strong performance as Cal’s playcaller in their 38-35 upset win over then-No. 25 SMU. That win helped punch the Bears’ ticket to their third straight bowl appearance and gave the team a jolt of confidence heading into the postseason.
Across the field, Hawaii is riding its own wave of momentum. Under fourth-year head coach Timmy Chang, the Rainbow Warriors enter the bowl game with an 8-4 record - Chang’s best season yet at the helm of his alma mater. And just like Rolovich, Chang’s connection to this matchup runs deep.
The two were teammates at Hawaii in the early 2000s, sharing reps under center and now sharing the sideline as head coaches for the first time. The mutual respect is obvious.
“There’s so much respect for Nick and what he’s done here at the University of Hawaii,” Chang said. “He is unbelievable, remarkable, a good human being. I was proud to call him my teammate and brother while we played here.”
Rolovich echoed the sentiment, praising Chang for the culture he’s maintained and the progress he’s made with the program.
Both coaches will lean on talented freshman quarterbacks to lead the charge. Cal fans already know what Sagapolutele brings to the table - poise, arm strength, and a growing command of the offense. On the other side, Hawaii’s Micah Alejado has quietly put together a strong season of his own.
A Bishop Gorman alum and Honolulu native, Alejado has thrown for 2,832 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions in 10 games. Like Sagapolutele, he’s already committed to staying with his program for 2026 - a big win for Hawaii’s future.
However, Alejado will be without his top weapon in the bowl game. Sophomore wide receiver Jackson Harris, who racked up 963 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, has entered the transfer portal and won’t suit up on Christmas Eve.
Defensively, Hawaii leans on senior leaders like Peter Manuma (72 tackles) and Jackie Johnson III (7.5 sacks) to set the tone. But the name that’s drawn the most national attention?
That would be “The Tokyo Toe” - senior kicker Kansei Matsuzawa. The Lou Groza Award finalist was nearly flawless this season, going 37-for-37 on extra points and 25-for-26 on field goals.
When Hawaii needs points, they know exactly who to call.
As for Cal, this game isn’t just a chance to close out the season with a win. It’s an opportunity to hit the eight-win mark for the first time since 2019 and to do it in style. The Bears will be wearing special edition helmets honoring Pasefika pride - a nod to the cultural roots that run deep through this roster.
And while the trip to Honolulu is a long one - 2,400 miles from Berkeley - it’s nothing compared to the last time these two programs met. That was in 2016, when they opened the season in Sydney, Australia. Cal came out on top in that one, 51-31.
Now, the stage is set for a Christmas Eve showdown packed with storylines: a homecoming for players and coaches, a battle between former teammates, and two programs looking to cap their seasons with a signature win.
“Hawaii is a great place. I think (my teammates) will enjoy it,” Sagapolutele said. “I’m just going to let them take it in, enjoy it as much as they can and just make it the best experience for them.”
Rolovich summed it up best.
“It’ll be enlightening for a lot of guys. It’ll be magical for a lot of guys,” he said. “But to go have those experiences and come away with a win against a team we know is going to play hard … that’ll be something that people will remember for a long time.”