Did you know SMU hadn’t won a bowl game since 2012—a six-game postseason drought including a CFP loss last year? On January 2, 2026, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, the Mustangs finally broke through, edging No. 17 Arizona 24-19 in a dramatic Holiday Bowl comeback bid by the Wildcats.
Final Score: SMU 24, Arizona 19
SMU (9-4) ended a five-game bowl losing streak with a dominant first half, while Arizona (9-4) mounted a valiant second-half charge but fell short of a 10-win season.
Score Summary by Quarter
- Q1: SMU 7, Arizona 0
- Q2: SMU 17, Arizona 0 (Halftime: SMU 24-0)
- Q3: SMU 0, Arizona 7 (End of Q3: SMU 24-7)
- Q4: SMU 0, Arizona 12
Key scoring highlights:
- SMU exploded early with an 80-yard razzle-dazzle completion on their second play, setting up T.J. Harden’s 3-yard TD run.
- The Mustangs added Stone Eby’s 1-yard plunge and a field goal for a 24-0 halftime lead.
- Arizona finally scored in the third on Noah Fifita’s 28-yard TD pass to Javin Whatley.
- Late Wildcats TDs: 10-yard pass to Tre Spivey (failed two-point) and 15-yard to Cameron Barmore with 33 seconds left.
- SMU recovered the onside kick to seal it.
Turning Points
- Blazing Start: SMU scored on four of its first five possessions, building a 24-0 halftime edge behind efficient drives (including 87- and 94-yard marches).
- Interception Spark: Arizona forced three second-half picks from Kevin Jennings, fueling their rally and holding SMU scoreless after halftime.
- Failed Conversions: Arizona turned it over on downs multiple times, including a fourth-and-goal stop and a late fourth-down miss, stalling momentum.
- Late Drama: Fifita’s 15-yard TD to Barmore cut it to 24-19, but SMU’s onside kick recovery iced the game.
Standout Performances
- Kevin Jennings (SMU QB): 278 passing yards on 21-of-32, including the game-opening 80-yarder; set up multiple scores despite three second-half INTs.
- T.J. Harden (SMU RB): Key rushing TDs and contributed to SMU’s strong first-half ground attack.
- Noah Fifita (Arizona QB): School-record 29th TD pass of the season; 265 passing yards, three TDs, plus a career-high 73 rushing yards in the comeback effort.
- Yamir Knight (SMU WR): Highlight-reel catches, including a spinning grab to keep drives alive.
- Arizona Defense (Second Half): Forced three INTs and limited SMU to 64 yards post-halftime, giving the offense a chance.
What the Result Means for Playoff Chances
This non-CFP bowl game concluded the 2025 season for both teams, with no impact on the ongoing 12-team College Football Playoff (bracket finalized earlier). Neither SMU nor Arizona reached the playoff—SMU missed a second straight ACC title shot with a late-season loss, while Arizona tied for fourth in the Big 12. The win snaps SMU’s long bowl drought, providing momentum under coach Rhett Lashlee and optimism for 2026 contention. For Arizona, the loss denies a rare 10-win season (fifth in program history) but caps a strong bounce-back year, highlighting Fifita’s growth and defensive potential despite secondary opt-outs. Both programs gain valuable experience for future playoff pushes.
