California receiver Kanawai Noa, a 2015 Punahou alumnus and the state’s career receiving yardage record holder, left Wednesday night’s Cheez-It Bowl with an injury.
Noa, who has more than 1,200 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his collegiate career, made a diving catch for a 30-yard reception to the TCU 4-yard line, but was badly shaken up as he tried to get up.
His right arm looked limp and he staggered once he reached his feet, forcing teammates to help hold him up, before falling back to the ground.
The 6-foot, 185-pound redshirt junior missed five games in the regular season due to injury for the Bears (7-5). He was able to make it to his feet and walked off slowly while being held by members of the training staff.
It was his second catch of the game for 43 yards.
Noa entered the bowl game with 28 receptions for 326 yards and two TD’s in an injury-plagued season after catching 56 balls for 788 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore.
The game is currently being broadcast on ESPN.
This story will be updated.
Kanawai Noa had to totally change his game. At Punahou, he was a deep threat. At Cal, he had to change his game to be an “underneath the coverage” receiver. Kahuku’s Darren Johnson shut him down in the Prep Bowl. I want to believe Darren Johnson was that good to be able to shut down Kanawai Noa. Faddah Henry Noa went play football for Ron Marciel at St Louis. Mother from Maui.