The University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors beat the Cal Bears 35-31 in the 2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Starter Micah Alejado left the game due to injury, saying, "I’ll come out here and die for them," according to Hawaii News Now. Backup quarterback Luke Weaver led the final scoring drive and threw the winning touchdown to Nick Cenacle, saying, "Said a quick little prayer before I went out there, and I feel like he took care of the rest." This was Hawaii’s 11th Hawaii Bowl appearance, while Cal played in the event for the first time, as reported by KITV.
In the fourth quarter, the Rainbow Warriors were trailing before an overturned call resulted in a touchdown by B. White and a successful two-point conversion to tie the game. Cal later regained the lead. Hawaiʻi then completed a final scoring drive to secure the win.
The Hawaii Bowl ended with a post-game altercation following the Rainbow Warriors’ win. Coach Chang said “the tempers are hot, you know, it’s the last game of the season,” explaining the emotions involved, as per Hawaii News Now. The game drew a large crowd with fans from Hawaii and Cal in attendance, many purchasing tickets soon after the teams were announced. Receiver Pofele Ashlock was named the Hugh Yoshida Most Valuable Player as the game concluded the college football season.
