Takeaways from Cal’s last-second Hawaii Bowl loss on Christmas Eve

Leading 21-0 midway through the second quarter at the Hawaii Bowl, Cal was positioned to generate valuable momentum heading into the start of the Tosh Lupoi coaching era.

Instead, the Bears’ 35-31 loss to Hawaii on Wednesday night was more evidence that the program needs a leadership change that can toss aside a tired and familiar narrative.

The Bears teased their fans with a dynamite dash out of the starting blocks in front of a capacity crowd of 15,194 at cozy Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

But as we saw so often during former coach Justin Wilcox’s nine seasons, Cal was again just good enough to disappoint when the wheels came off.

The Bears rolled up season-high totals of 487 total yards and 31 first downs. Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was on target while passing for 343 yards without a turnover before scoring what appeared to be the winning touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 1:57 to play.

But Cal (7-6) could not write a happy ending on Christmas Eve. The Rainbow Warriors (9-4) needed just 102 seconds to slice through a fatigued defense for 68 yards, winning even after starting quarterback Micah Alejado was banged up and sent to the sideline with 15 seconds to go.

Backup Luke Weaver, a junior from the Central Valley community of Manteca, settled things on the next play, throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle. Hawaii, which got nothing on its first three possessions of the game, scored each of the final six times it had the ball.

Now it’s on Lupoi to help Cal take the next step, albeit a significant one, from competitive but inconsistent to ACC contender. That’s the assignment, the reason Chancellor Rich Lyons hired Cal football legend Ron Rivera as general manager, the reason Rivera opted to move on from Wilcox, a good coach who just couldn’t get the Bears over the hump.

Lupoi, who will remain defensive coordinator at Oregon for as long as the Ducks are alive in the College Football Playoff, is expected to work his recruiting magic for the Bears.

Cal must upgrade its talent and depth at virtually every position on the roster. But Lupoi’s ability to convince Sagapolutele to remain in Berkeley was as big a recruiting victory as he’s likely to achieve.

Takeaways from Cal’s loss to Hawaii:

Sagapolutele looks ahead

The freshman left-hander was disappointed after the loss but sees opportunity in front of the Bears.

“This is a big stepping stone for us to get better and I think we’ll come back stronger next year,” he said after a return to his native Hawaii. “We’ve got a long offseason, especially me — I’ve got a lot to work on.”

Maybe so, but he was awfully good all season, passing for at least 200 yards in every game, including more than 300 in three of the Bears’ final four outings. Over his last seven games, Sagapolutele threw just two interceptions.

He finished his debut season with 3,460 passing yards, sixth-most in the program history and most among FBS freshmen nationally.

A record-setting receiver

Senior Jacob De Jesus caught nine passes for 137 yards and a touchdown and totaled 208 yards of all-purpose yardage, which includes receiving, rushing and special-teams returns.

He broke Cal’s single-season receptions record, finishing the season with 108 catches — 51 of them in the past four games. His total ranks No. 2 all-time in the ACC and puts him, at least for now, in the NCAA lead. UConn’s Skyler Bell, who has 101 catches, will play his final game Saturday against Army in the Fenway Bowl.

Sagapolutele hinted at Cal making an effort to secure another season of eligibility for De Jesus, who has played just three years at the FBS level — two at UNLV and this season with the Bears. He began his college career with two years of junior college ball.

Heavy losses coming on defense

Lupoi will not only be seeking better talent at offensive line and the skill positions around Sagapolutele, he must also replace key pieces on defense.

Linebackers Cade Uluave and Luke Ferrelli, who recorded season totals of 100 and 91 tackles, respectively, are expected to return.

But the Bears will lose several productive seniors, including defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina and cornerbacks Paco Austin and Hezekiah Masses, who had five interceptions and an NCAA-leading 18 passes defended this season.