University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

Postgame Notes
2025 Hawai‘i Bowl
California at Hawai‘i
Dec. 24, 2025
Clarence T.C. Ching Complex  –  Honolulu
 
GAME CAPTAINS
Peter Manuma, Zhen Sotelo, Landon Sims, Jalen Smith, Kansei Matsuzawa
 
BOWL HISTORY

• UH won its third straight bowl game (2019, ‘20, ‘25), tying a program record (2003, ‘04, ‘06).
• UH improved to 9-6 all-time in bowl games in 15 appearances. (does not include the cancelled 2021 Hawai‘i Bowl).
• The win marked UH’s sixth Hawai’i Bowl title (2003, ’04, ’06, ’16, ’19, ‘25) in 10 appearances. It’s the most championships of any team.
• UH improved to 7-5 in bowl games in the state of Hawai‘i which also includes the 1989 Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl (L, Michigan St.) and 1999 Jeep O‘ahu Bowl (W, Oregon St.).

 
SERIES INFORMATION

• UH tied the overall series, 3-3. The series is 2-2 in Honolulu.
• The win was UH’s first in Honolulu since the first-ever meeting on Jan. 1, 1935, when UH shutout Cal, 14-0, in the New Year’s Classic. (later renamed the Poi Bowl in 1936 and the Pineapple Bowl in 1940).

 
UH VERSUS THE ACC

• UH improved to 2-0 against ACC teams with bookend wins in 2025.
• UH played its first ACC opponent in this year’s season-opener against Stanford, a 23-20 walkoff victory in Honolulu on August 23.
• After dropping his first six games against Power Conference teams, Timmy Chang won two of his  three matchups during the 2025 season.

 
INDIVIDUAL STREAKS/TRENDS

• Seniors Karsyn Pupunu and Jalen Smith each played in their 38th straight game, tied for the longest streak on the team. It was the final game for each senior.

 
INDIVIDUAL CHARTS/RECORDS

• Pofele Ashlock tied a Hawai‘i Bowl record with 14 receptions (Jason Rivers, Hawai‘i, 2006 vs. Arizona State). 
• With his 14 receptions Ashlock surpassed Justin Colbert (212) for sixth all-time at UH in career receptions with 220.
• Ashlock also moved into seventh all-time on the UH career touchdowns chart with 23, following a pair of touchdown catches.
• Kansei Matsuzawa kicked a pair of field goals to expand his UH single-season record to 27.
• The 27 field goals are also the second-most in a season in MW history, just two behind John Sullivan’s (New Mexico) single-season record of 29.
• Matsuzawa finished his UH career with 37 career field goals,  good for No. 6 on the UH charts and the most by a two-year UH kicker. 
• WIth three touchdown passes, Micah Alejado expanded his UH freshman single-season record to 23 TD passes.

 
TEAM NOTES

• The 21-point comeback is tied for the largest comeback in UH history (also vs. Washington in 2007; vs. Michigan State in 2004) and the largest in UH’s postseason history.
• UH recorded four touchdown passes against a Cal squad that entered the game having allowed just 10 passing touchdowns this season, tied for the eighth fewest among
• all FBS teams and fewest in the ACC).
• UH notched its ninth win this season, its most wins since the 2019 squad finished with 10 wins in 15 games.
• UH finished the season 7-1 at home and has won eight of its last nine home games dating back to last season.
• Hawai’i went 5-of-5 in the red zone versus Cal to finish the season 40-of-42 ( 95.2%) in redzone drives this season, the second-best mark in the FBS (Oklahoma – 97.1%).
• UH tied its season high with three fourth-down conversions (also 3-of-3 vs. Sam Houston on Sept. 6).
• The Warriors went turnover-free for the third time this season (also versus Portland State and at Air Force).
• The UH defense surrendered an opening drive touchdown by its opponent for the first time since Sept. 27 at Air Force after Cal drove 87 yards for a score on its first possession.
• UH’s 21 point-deficit (21-0) was its biggest first-half deficit this season. The Warriors cut it to 21-10 by halftime.
• UH recorded its first blocked punt in more than two years when Riis Weber blocked Michael Kern’s attempt late in the second quarter (last block was by Karsyn Pupunu vs. UAlbany, Sept. 9, 2023).

 
INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Pofele Ashlock posted his fourth 100-yard game this season when he finished with 14 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
• The 14 receptions were a career high and tied for the most in Hawaii Bowl history (Jason Rivers, 2006).
• Ashlock recorded his third multi-touchdown game this season and sixth of this career with scoring catches of 13- and 3-yards.
• Micah Alejado threw for 24 touchdown passes this season, second most of any FBS freshman.
• Brandon White scored his second touchdown this season, and first since Sept. 27 at Air Force, with a 17-yard reception in the fourth quarter that gave UH its first lead of the game.
• Nick Cenacle caught a season-high eight passes. His game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds left was just his second score this year and first since UH’s win at Colorado State on Oct. 18 that got UH bowl eligible.
• Luke Weaver saw his first action since UH’s win over Portland State on Sept. 13 and tossed the game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds left. It was his sixth touchdown pass in five appearances this year.
• Kansei Matsuzawa missed a 50-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter. It was his second straight miss after also missing his final attempt of the regular season versus Wyoming on Nov. 29. Matuszawa had previously started the year nailing 25 straight field goals, tying an FBS record.
• Matsuzawa, however, later converted on a 29-yard attempt in the second quarter and a 39-yarder in the third quarter.
• He made at least one field goal in all 13 games this year and multiple field goals in nine contests.
• Linebacker Wynden Hoohuli recorded a career-high eight tackles.