Here is the latest ACC sports news from The Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left, and Hawaii rallied for a 35-31 victory over California in the Hawaii Bowl. Weaver entered the game after Micah Alejado took a hard hit on the previous play. With the Rainbow Warriors in range for a tying field goal, Cenacle got between two defensive backs and made the contested catch. Coach Timmy Chang led Hawaii to its first nine-win season since 2019. Alejado finished 32 of 46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns, helping Hawaii rally from an early 21-0 deficit. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele finished with 343 yards passing for Cal.

UNDATED (AP) — The College Football Playoff’s first round averaged 9.9 million viewers across multiple networks, marking a 7% drop from last year. A key factor was the final game between James Madison and Oregon airing on TNT, TBS, and truTV instead of ABC and ESPN. It also faced competition from an NFL game. The Chicago Bears’ victory over the Green Bay Packers drew 21.3 million viewers, overshadowing Oregon’s win, which attracted 4.4 million. Alabama’s comeback victory over Oklahoma was the most-watched CFP game, averaging 14.9 million viewers. ESPN sublicenses some CFP games to other networks, impacting viewership.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos has dropped his appeal for another year of college eligibility and declared for the NFL draft. In a social media post, Castellanos thanked family, friends, coaches and teammates and “everyone who has supported me along this journey.” The NCAA initially denied Castellanos’ waiver request for a fifth season. Castellanos, who transferred to Florida State last December after one year at Central Florida and two at Boston College, argued that college football’s sanctioning body should grant him another season because he played in only five games with the Knights in 2022. It’s a moot point now.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. is coming back to Miami next season, postponing his NFL plans for another year. He made the announcement Tuesday after a standout 172-yard rushing game that helped No. 10 Miami defeat No. 7 Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff. Miami plays No. 2 Ohio State on New Year’s Eve in the CFP quarterfinals. Fletcher, a true junior, expressed his love for the team and desire to spend more time with his teammates. This season, he has rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns, moving up to 13th on Miami’s all-time rushing list.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Ohio State and Miami are set to meet in the Cotton Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal, on New Year’s Eve. The Buckeyes aim for back-to-back national titles, echoing their dramatic 2002 Fiesta Bowl win over Miami. That game ended in controversy when a late pass interference call allowed Ohio State to tie and eventually win in double overtime. Miami quarterback Carson Beck acknowledges the challenge ahead, noting Ohio State’s talent. Miami coach Mario Cristobal emphasizes focusing on the present, despite the historical rivalry adding intrigue to the matchup.

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