The 2025 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl features the 7-5 California Golden Bears and the 8-4 Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors. Here is the 2025 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl Preview.
Cal won seven games to qualify for their third straight bowl game. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams this season: Minnesota, Louisville and SMU. The Golden Bears lost to two teams that didn’t make bowl games in Virginia Tech and Stanford. Head coach Justin Wilcox was fired and offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich will be the interim coach for this game.
The Golden Bears score 24.8 points per game, ranking 84th in the country. They pass for 270.8 yards (ranked 23rd) and rush for 76.5 yards (ranked 134th) per game.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has been a sensational freshman quarterback for the Golden Bears. He has passed for 3,117 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 63.6 percent completion. Seven players have at least 200 receiving yards for Cal. UNLV transfer Jacob De Jesus leads the team with 99 catches for 892 yards and five touchdowns. Trond Grizzell has been a good second option with 690 receiving yards on the year.
Only one player has more than 150 rushing yards this season for California. Kenrick Raphael gets the majority of the carries for Cal. He rushed for 853 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
On defense, the Golden Bears allow 26.5 points per game, tying for 78th in the country. They give up 197.1 passing yards (ranked 36th) and 161.9 rushing yards (ranked 85th) per game. Cade Uluave has been a leader on defense and has the team-high with 88 tackles. TJ Bush Jr. leads the team with 5.5 sacks. Brent Austin has impressed in the secondary with 13 passes defended and so too has Hezekiah Masses, as he has 12 passes defended and five interceptions.
The Rainbow Warriors won eight games to make their first bowl game since 2020. They defeated two bowl-eligible teams this season: Utah State and San Diego State. Their lone loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game was to San Jose State.
Hawai’i scores 28.5 points per game, ranking 63rd in the nation. They pass for 289.7 yards (ranked ninth) and rush for 104 yards (ranked 125th) per game.
Micah Alejado has had an impressive season for Hawai’i at quarterback. He has passed for 2,832 yards, 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 65.9 percent completion. Seven players have over 200 receiving yards on the season. Jackson Harris led the team in receiving yards, but he is in the transfer portal. Pofele Ashlock has been played well this season too, with 62 receptions for 704 yards and six touchdowns.
Two running backs do most of the work for Hawai’i. Landon Sims rushed for 523 yards and three touchdowns as a player that can do a bit of everything. Cam Barfield has chipped in with 361 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The Rainbow Warriors’ defense concedes 23.5 points per game, tying for 59th in the country. They allow 218 passing yards (ranked 62nd) and 132.9 rushing yards (ranked 42nd) per game. Peter Manuma leads the team with 72 total tackles. Jackie Johnson III has helped generate pressure with 7.5 sacks. Elijah Palmer has been great in the secondary with 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
Sagapolutele returning to Cal for next season is great news for the program. He will have a big game slinging the ball around the field and will give him momentum heading into 2026.
California Golden Bears 42 Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors 31
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