| California Bears (7-5) at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (8-4) | |||
| Game Details: Wednesday, December 24, 6 p.m. EST | |||
| Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI | |||
| Where to Watch: ESPN |
Matchup
This Christmas Eve matchup at the Hawaii Bowl offers more than just a typical postseason game; it serves as an emotional homecoming and a battle between childhood friends in Honolulu. The California Golden Bears (7-5) travel to the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex to face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (8-4) at 8 p.m. EST.
The narrative center of this game involves two freshman quarterbacks who grew up training together under the tutelage of Tua Tagovailoa’s father, Coach Galu. Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a Hawaii native, returns home to face his childhood friend, Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Bears | +1.5 | -102 | Over 50.5 |
| Hawaii Rainbow Warriors | -1.5 | -116 | Under 50.5 |
**Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports **
Tale of The Tape
| California Bears | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Hawaii Rainbow Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| 24.8 | Points Per Game | 28.5 |
| 270.8 | Passing Yards Per Game | 289.7 |
| 76.5 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 104.0 |
| 26.5 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 23.5 |
| 197.1 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 218.0 |
| 161.9 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 133.0 |
Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
California Bears
The Golden Bears are entering this contest with significant momentum after securing a winning season with a 38-35 upset over SMU. The offense has been electrified by freshman quarterback Sagapolutele, who has historically started his college career with 12 straight 200-yard games—only the second quarterback in FBS history to achieve such a feat. Sagapolutele has thrown for 3,117 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, boasting a 63.5 percent completion rate. He is supported on the ground by Kendrick Raphael, who has rushed for 862 yards and found the end zone 12 times. Through the air, wide receiver Jacob De Jesus has been a reliable target, hauling in 98 catches for 884 yards.
Defensively, Cal allows 26.5 points per game and will need to tighten up against a potent Hawaii passing attack. Linebacker Cade Uluave anchors the defense with a team-leading 66 tackles, while Hezekiah Masses has been a ballhawk in the secondary with five interceptions. However, discipline remains a major concern for the Bears.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
The Rainbow Warriors are looking to defend their home turf behind Alejado. Named the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, Alejado has thrown for 2,832 yards and 21 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. Hawaii’s offense ranks 10th in the nation in passing yards per game (289.7), making this a matchup of high-flying aerial attacks. Hawaii enters the bowl game fresh off a dominant 27-7 victory over Wyoming, where Alejado threw for 289 yards.
Prediction
Travel fatigue will hit Cal. Hawaii uses its home field, no travel advantage in this evenly matched game.
