Hawaii Stuns Cal in Wild Hawaii Bowl Comeback - Then Chaos Erupts Postgame
Christmas Eve in Honolulu delivered everything you could ask for in a bowl game - drama, grit, a last-second touchdown, and unfortunately, a postgame brawl that turned Aloha Stadium into a scene of chaos.
Let’s start with the football, because that’s where this night earned its fireworks.
Trailing 21-0 early in the second quarter, Hawaii looked like it was heading toward a quiet end to the season. But under head coach Timmy Chang, this Rainbow Warriors team has developed a different kind of identity - one built on resilience, belief, and a flair for the dramatic. What followed was one of the most thrilling comebacks of this bowl season.
Freshman quarterback Micah Alejado led the charge, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns while adding 33 yards on the ground. He showed poise well beyond his years, keeping Hawaii in the fight. But late in the game, an injury forced him to the sideline - and that’s when the story took another turn.
Enter backup quarterback Luke Weaver. With just 15 seconds left and Hawaii trailing, Weaver delivered a strike - a 21-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle on only his third throw of the game. That score gave Hawaii a 35-31 lead, capping off a stunning rally and setting off celebrations on the Rainbow Warriors’ sideline.
Wide receiver Pofele Ashlock was a force all night, hauling in 14 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Cenacle added eight receptions for 59 yards, including the game-winner. It was a total team effort, and the kind of finish that makes bowl season so special.
But unfortunately, the elation didn’t last long.
As the final whistle sounded, emotions boiled over. Hawaii defensive back Peter Manuma shoved Cal wide receiver Quaron Adams after the last play, sparking a confrontation.
Several Cal players rushed in, and Hawaii players followed as both teams spilled onto the field. What should’ve been a moment of celebration quickly turned into mayhem.
Videos from the field showed punches thrown, helmets flying, and players from both sides involved in a full-on brawl. Officials and staff scrambled to separate players near the Cal sideline, but the tension didn’t die down.
A second altercation broke out shortly after, with one video capturing Cal’s No. 68 throwing a punch at a Hawaii player who wasn’t wearing a helmet. That only escalated things further.
It was an ugly ending to what had been a beautiful game.
The postgame fight marked the second straight bowl game marred by a scuffle, following a heated exchange between Louisville and Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl the night before. It’s not the kind of trend the sport wants to see, especially in games meant to celebrate the season’s end and reward players for their hard work.
Still, the win was a massive moment for Hawaii. It marked the program’s first bowl victory since 2020 and capped a 9-4 season - their first winning campaign in five years.
Timmy Chang’s rebuild is clearly gaining traction. After inheriting a struggling program, he’s now led them to nine wins in just his fourth season at the helm.
That’s a statement.
On the other side, Cal’s night ended in heartbreak. Despite putting up nearly 500 yards of offense and getting a strong performance from quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (343 passing yards, two total touchdowns), the Golden Bears couldn’t finish drives in the second half and managed just 10 points after halftime. They finish the season 7-6 and will now turn the page with a new head coach - Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi - set to take over after the Ducks’ playoff run.
The Hawaii Bowl gave us just about everything - a dramatic comeback, breakout performances, and unfortunately, a reminder of how easily emotions can spill over in high-stakes moments. But for Hawaii, this was a night to remember. A comeback for the ages, a program on the rise, and a Christmas Eve that won’t be forgotten any time soon.