Hawai‘i Pulls Away To Defeat Cal And Claim Pac-12 Championship For 2nd Straight Year
Las Vegas, NV -- Hawai‘i came to Allegiant Stadium with something to prove. By the time the confetti fell Saturday night, the seventh-ranked Rainbow Warriors had left little doubt.
Behind a dynamic performance from quarterback Dermaricus Davis and a relentless second-half surge, Hawai‘i defeated No. 19 California 45-27 to capture the 2027 Pac-12 championship and strengthen its case for a return trip to the College Football Playoff.
Hawai‘i (13-1) scored in every quarter and outscored the Golden Bears 21-7 after halftime, turning a competitive shootout into a statement win on the conference’s biggest stage.
The Warriors wasted no time igniting the championship atmosphere.
On an early drive, Davis extended a play before delivering a strike that turned into a touchdown, showcasing the yards-after-catch explosiveness that has defined Hawai‘i’s offense all season. After Cal answered with a 29-yard scoring pass from Dominic Ingrassia to Ben Marshall, Davis responded again — firing over the middle for another catch-and-run touchdown that put the Warriors ahead 14-7 after one quarter.
It was a preview of what was to come: space, speed and stress on the Cal secondary.
California (9-5) refused to let the game slip away early.
The Golden Bears methodically marched down the field in the second quarter, capping a long drive with a 7-yard touchdown run that tied the game. They added two field goals and another sustained scoring possession to keep pressure on Hawai‘i, turning the first half into what felt like a passing clinic from both sides.
But every time the Bears made it close, Davis found an answer.
Hawai‘i reclaimed control with a short touchdown run and later flipped the field on a deep shot down the right sideline that set up points before the break. The Warriors went into halftime with a 24-20 lead, having already piled up explosive plays through the air.
The turning point came in the third quarter.
Hawai‘i leaned on its RPO game and ground attack, finishing a methodical drive with a goal-line touchdown run to push the lead to 31-20. Moments later, the Warriors’ defense delivered a pivotal interception, halting a promising Cal possession and swinging momentum for good.
From there, Hawai‘i’s balance took over.
Davis extended plays with his legs, including a highlight scramble that broke Cal’s contain and set up another short touchdown. The Warriors added two more fourth-quarter scores — one on a power run and another through the air — stretching the margin to 45-20 before Cal added a late touchdown with under a minute remaining.
For Hawai‘i, the win caps a dominant 10-0 run through Pac-12 play and delivers the program’s latest conference crown under the Las Vegas lights. They are now 20-0 in PAC-12 play with 2 conference championships.
The Rainbow Warriors entered the night ranked seventh, firmly in the playoff conversation. With a double-digit win over a ranked opponent on a neutral field, they made a compelling final argument to the selection committee.
PASSING LEADER
D. Ingrassia -- 26/35, 417 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
RUSHING LEADER
S. Priestley -- 17 att, 65 yds
RECEIVING LEADER
K. Grayes -- 5 rec, 135 yds, 1 TD
PASSING LEADER
D. Davis -- 18/27, 316 yds, 2 TD, 10 att, 20 yds, 1 TD
RUSHING LEADER
D. Dimke -- 15 att, 141 yds, 3 TD
RECEIVING LEADER
D. Brazill -- 8 rec, 130 yds, 1 TD
