Backup quarterback Luke Weaver on Wednesday night threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left, as the University of Hawaii rallied for a 35-31 comeback victory over the University of California, Berkeley in a thrilling Hawaii Bowl.
Weaver entered the game after Micah Alejado took a hard hit on the previous play. With the Rainbow Warriors (9-4) in range for a tying field goal, coach Timmy Chang took a shot at the end zone, and Cenacle got between two defensive backs and made the contested catch.
“How amazing is that?” Chang said. “It’s a program that is built out of faith and these guys deserve it, man.”
Photo: AFP
Chang, Hawaii’s fourth-year coach who had a record-setting career as the Rainbow Warriors’ quarterback from 2000 to 2004, led his program to its first nine-win season since 2019 — when Nick Rolovich, currently the California Golden Bears’ interim coach, guided Hawaii to a 10-5 record.
Alejado finished 32 of 46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns, helping Hawaii rally from an early 21-0 deficit. Pofele Ashlock had 14 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns for the Rainbow Warriors, who scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Cal (7-6) pulled ahead 31-28 with 1 minute, 57 seconds left on a one-yard touchdown run by Hawaii-born quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who finished with 343 yards passing and a touchdown.
Alejado’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White with 7:19 left gave Hawaii a 28-24 lead. The Rainbow Warriors tied it early in the fourth quarter when Alejado connected with Ashlock for their second touchdown and then completed a two-point conversion pass to Cam Barfield.
“These boys just keep continuing to fight through adversity and I love them for that. They learn the hard way, but they learn how to do it and that’s what’s important,” Chang said.
Rolovich tipped his cap to Chang and the Warriors, who scored on their final six drives.
“They fought to the end and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Timmy deserves a lot of credit for that,” Rolovich said.
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