The California Golden Bears' bowl game streak continued, but not without a thrilling showdown at the 2025 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. Despite a strong start, the Bears ultimately fell to the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors, 35-31, in a nail-biting finish at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
The game began with a dominant display from Cal, who took an early 21-0 lead in the second quarter. However, the Rainbow Warriors responded with 21 unanswered points, turning the tide in their favor. The Bears fought back, reclaiming the lead at 31-28 with a crucial 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a true freshman sensation from Ewa Beach, Hawai'i. Yet, the Rainbow Warriors had the final say, scoring a game-winning touchdown with just 10 seconds on the clock.
This defeat, however, was a historic moment for wide receiver Jacob De Jesus. With nine catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, he became Cal's all-time single-season receptions leader, tying him for second place in ACC history. Sagapolutele, too, made his mark, completing 28-for-39 passes for a career-high 343 yards and a touchdown, solidifying his place in Cal's history books with 3,460 passing yards, ranked No. 6 in the program's all-time single-season list.
Senior Trond Grizzell also shone, finishing with eight catches for 105 yards. The Bears, playing in their third consecutive bowl game, ended the season with a winning record for the first time since 2019, a testament to their resilience and determination.
Cal interim head coach Nick Rolovich praised his team's effort, stating, 'We jumped on them early, but they refused to back down. This game meant everything to them, and they fought until the very end.' The Bears' journey, though bittersweet, showcased their ability to overcome adversity and leave a lasting impact on the program's history.
