The Hawaii Bowl presented a thrilling matchup between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the California Golden Bears. The Bears started strong and didn’t allow the Rainbow Warriors’ offense any scoring opportunity.
By halftime, they were leading 21-10. The second half presented an entirely different story. The Bears’ offense collapsed in the third quarter, but they picked themselves back up and took the lead by 21 points with only minutes left in the game.
When fans least expected it, Hawaii took control of the game and surpassed the lead, winning 35-31. That should’ve been the end of the night, and the Rainbow Warriors should’ve gone into celebration mode over the well-deserved victory.
Unfortunately, a fight broke out as soon as the final whistle went off. Over a dozen players from both sides got involved, and with the cameras focusing on the coach’s celebration on the sidelines, it became difficult to determine who started it.
Regardless, it wasn’t a good look on either team. Even the commentators were disappointed because they knew this fight would eclipse Hawaii’s brilliant comeback and victory over the California Golden Bears.
After nearly a minute of complete chaos on the field, players were finally separated. Some of the Rainbow Warriors then deflected from the crowd and finally celebrated the win with the fans in the stadium.
The two coaches also hugged each other and brought some stability to the unnecessary drama that the players brought to the occasion. This game didn’t carry any College Football Playoff implication so their respective journey for the season now comes to an end.
Hawaii Overturned a 21 Point Deficit
California scored touchdowns on its first three possessions, but Hawaii rallied with 21 straight points to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. After the Bears briefly regained the lead 24–21 on a Chase Meyer field goal, Hawaii went ahead 28–24 on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Micah Alejado to Brandon White.
The Bears responded with a 75-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele sneak to take a 31-28 lead with 1:57 left, but the defense couldn’t close it out.
Hawaii drove 68 yards in the final two minutes, and backup quarterback Luke Weaver, replacing an injured Alejado, threw the game-winning 22-yard touchdown to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds remaining.
Sagapolutele finished 28-for-39 for 343 yards, Jacob De Jesus had nine catches for 137 yards, and California closed the year 7-6.
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