UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, the Cal Bears fell to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 35-31 in a heartbreaking Christmas Eve bowl game, crushing their hopes as they led 21-0 midway through the second quarter. This loss raises urgent questions about the future of the program under new head coach Tosh Lupoi, who has been tasked with revitalizing a team that has struggled to maintain momentum.
The Bears, playing in front of a lively crowd of 15,194 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, initially showcased a potent offense, racking up a season-high 487 total yards and 31 first downs. Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 343 yards without a turnover, and appeared to seal the game with a 1-yard touchdown sneak with just 1:57 remaining. However, the Bears could not withstand a fierce comeback from Hawaii, which scored on its final six possessions.
With only 102 seconds left, Hawaii marched down the field, even after losing starting quarterback Micah Alejado to injury. Backup Luke Weaver threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat for the Rainbow Warriors. This loss marks another chapter in the saga of disappointment for Cal fans, reminiscent of struggles during former coach Justin Wilcox‘s tenure.
As the Bears finish the season at 7-6, attention now turns to Lupoi, who is expected to transform the program from competitive but inconsistent to a contender in the ACC. Chancellor Rich Lyons made a bold move hiring the former Cal football legend, emphasizing the need for a significant shift in team dynamics.
Sagapolutele remains optimistic despite the loss. “This is a big stepping stone for us to get better, and I think we’ll come back stronger next year,” he stated after the game. He finished his debut year with 3,460 passing yards, ranking sixth in program history and first among FBS freshmen nationally.
Senior receiver Jacob De Jesus had a standout performance with 137 yards and a touchdown, breaking Cal’s single-season receptions record with 108 catches. His impressive season has positioned him among the NCAA leaders, and there are discussions around securing an additional year of eligibility for him.
Defensively, the Bears face challenges ahead. While linebacker Cade Uluave and Luke Ferrelli, who recorded 100 and 91 tackles respectively, are expected to return, multiple key seniors will depart, including defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina and cornerbacks Paco Austin and Hezekiah Masses.
With the season’s end, all eyes are on Lupoi’s upcoming recruiting efforts as he aims to bolster the Bears’ roster and shift the team’s trajectory. Fans are eager to see if he can deliver the much-needed change to turn the program into a true contender.
As this story develops, stay tuned for updates on the future of Cal football and the impact of Lupoi’s leadership moving forward.
