Hawaii Bowl 2023: Canada’s Cenacle Leads Comeback for [Team Name]

Rainbow Warriors Stun Cal ‍in Thrilling Easypost‌ Hawai’i⁣ Bowl Comeback

Hawaii’s football ‌program delivered a stunning victory, overcoming a 21-0 deficit to defeat California‌ 37-35 in a captivating Easypost Hawai’i Bowl.This ⁣win marks the Rainbow Warriors’ first nine-win season since⁣ 2019 and solidifies a remarkable turnaround under head coach Timmy Chang.⁣

A Game of resilience and Dramatic Shifts

The game was ⁢a rollercoaster of momentum swings, showcasing the unwavering spirit‍ of the Hawaii team.cal initially dominated, building a commanding lead early⁢ in the second quarter thanks⁢ to Anthony League’s eight-yard ⁤touchdown ⁤run. However, Hawaii‍ refused to yield, mounting a​ relentless comeback fueled by ​the extraordinary performance of quarterback Brayden Alejado.

Alejado finished the game with an impressive 32 ⁤of 46 completions for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He connected frequently with Pofele Ashlock, who recorded 14 catches‍ for 123⁢ yards and two touchdowns, proving to ‌be a⁣ crucial target in the Warriors’ offensive resurgence. ⁤

Fourth-Quarter Heroics Seal the Victory

Hawaii truly ignited in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 unanswered points. Alejado’s 17-yard touchdown pass to ‍Brandon White with 7:19 remaining gave​ Hawaii its first lead of the game at 28-24.

The Warriors then tied the game after ‍a touchdown connection with Ashlock, followed by a accomplished two-point​ conversion pass to Cam Barfield.‍ Cal briefly regained the‌ lead with 1:57 ⁢left on a ⁢1-yard run⁢ by Hawaii-born freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, but Hawaii ‍had one final answer.

The Winning ​Catch: A Moment of Magic

With time winding​ down, Alejado delivered a clutch 17-yard touchdown‌ pass to White, securing the 37-35 victory. ⁤This play, a testament to the team’s faith ⁤and determination, capped off an incredible comeback.

“How amazing is that?” Chang exclaimed ​after the game. “It’s a program that is built out of faith and these guys deserve⁣ it, man.”

Looking Ahead: Building⁤ on Success

This⁤ victory is a ⁢notable milestone for Chang, a former Rainbow warriors ⁣quarterback himself (2000-04). ⁢He’s now leading the program toward a shining future, mirroring the success achieved by Nick Rolovich in 2019.

Hawaii now boasts a​ 9-6 all-time record in bowl games, while Cal falls ‌to 12-14-1. The Golden Bears are navigating a period of transition, having recently ​fired coach Justin ‍Wilcox, who will be replaced by Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.

Key Takeaways⁤ & Future Outlook

* Hawaii’s Resilience: The Warriors demonstrated incredible grit⁤ and⁣ determination, overcoming a significant early deficit.
* Alejado’s Performance: ⁢Brayden ⁣Alejado proved‍ to be a dynamic leader, showcasing accuracy and poise under pressure.
* ⁣ cal’s transition: ​ The Golden ‍Bears are ‌entering‍ a new era under a new coach, with promising freshman quarterback Jaron-keawe Sagapolutele showing potential. Sagapolutele has thrown 178 consecutive ⁤passes without an ​interception, just ​seven shy of Jared Goff’s school record.
* Future Schedules: Hawaii will visit Stanford ‍on‍ August 29th to begin their‍ next season, while Cal will host ​UCLA⁢ on September 5, 2026.

What This Means for You, the Fan

You witnessed a game that embodies the spirit‌ of college football – a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and the power of belief. Hawaii’s victory isn’t just a win for the program; it’s a source of pride for ​the entire state and a signal that the Rainbow Warriors⁢ are poised for continued success. As they enter⁣ Chang’s fifth season, with key⁤ players‌ like Alejado‍ and ⁣Ashlock expected‌ to⁢ return, the ​future looks ⁣exceptionally bright for Hawaii football.

Sources: ​ (based ‍on the provided​ text – a⁢ full⁢ article would include links​ to‌ official sources)

* Easypost Hawai’i⁢ Bowl ​game Recap
* Hawaii Athletics Official website
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