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The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors’ comeback victory in the Hawaii Bowl over the California Golden Bears on Wednesday night was marred by a struggle near the end of the game.
Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele tried to answer Hawaii’s go-ahead with one second left in the game. He fired a pass to wide receiver Trond Grizzell, who tried to throw the ball back to a teammate but lost it. Jacob De Jesus picked up the loose ball and tried to pass the ball to another teammate, but Hawaii defender Virdel Edwards II recovered the bouncing ball to end the play.
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California Golden Bears Hawaii and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors players battle at the end of the Hawaii Bowl at the Clarence TC Ching Athletics Complex on December 24, 2025 (Marco Garcia/Imagn Images)
A fight breaks out between the California Golden Bears Hawaii and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors players at the end of the Hawaii Bowl at the Clarence TC Ching Athletics Complex on December 24, 2025. (Marco Garcia/Imagn Images)
Behind the surge, California’s QuaRon Adams and Hawaii’s Brandon White started to mix it up. A fight ensued as Hawaii players and coaches rushed the field to celebrate the victory. It took a few minutes for the brouhaha to end.
Hawaii won the game, 35-31, coming back from a 21-point deficit.
Backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left to take the lead. He entered the game after Micah Alejado took a hard hit on the previous play.
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Alejado was 32-of-46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Hawaii wide receiver Pofele Ashlock had 14 catches for 123 yards for two touchdowns. The Rainbow Warriors scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.
“These boys just keep fighting through adversity and I love them for that. They’re learning the hard way, but they’re learning how to do it and that’s what’s important,” Chang said.
Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang during the first half during an NCAA football game against Arizona on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, file)
Cal’s Sagapolutele was 28-of-39 with 343 passing yards, a touchdown pass to De Jesus and a rushing touchdown. Kendrick Raphael and Anthony League each had rushing touchdowns.
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Hawaii finishes the season 9-4 and Cal fell to 7-6.
