SMU fought off a potential comeback from No. 17 Arizona despite the Wildcats’ late-game heroics as the Mustangs won the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl 24-19.
“We’re just very thankful here to get a win and to win the Holiday Bowl,” SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said postgame. “It’s the first bowl we’ve won in a while here at SMU… this was a fantastic week for our student-athletes, for our program, and for our fan base.”
Over 32,000 fans packed Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego for the 46th annual Holiday Bowl. This year’s matchup pitted the No. 17-ranked Arizona Wildcats (9-3) against SMU (8-4). The Wildcats and Mustangs were statistically similar teams entering the game, with SMU averaging 32.9 points per game and Arizona 32.6.
SMU opened up the game with a three-play drive going 83 yards, resulting in a touchdown after some trickery from the Mustangs. A flea flicker from SMU led to an 80-yard reception from wide receiver Matthew Hibner. SMU punched it into the endzone after a 1-yard touchdown run from running back T.J. Harden, putting the Mustangs up 7-0.
Harden found his way into the endzone once again on a 3-yard touchdown run, giving SMU a two-score 14-0 lead over Arizona after the first quarter.
The Mustangs’ scoring party didn’t end in the second quarter. SMU punched in its third rushing touchdown of the game this time by tight end Stone Ebby on a 1-yard rushing touchdown as SMU went up 21-0 on Arizona.
SMU was on the verge of another touchdown before a pass was nearly intercepted by Arizona’s Gavin Hunter, forcing SMU to kick a 24-yard field goal to go up 24-0 at the end of the first half.
“We couldn’t have played much better in the first half,” coach Lashlee said.
Arizona’s scoreless first half marked the first time all season that the Wildcats failed to put any points on the board — the lowest since the team played against Arizona State when they only scored three points before the half.
The Wildcats went 1-5 on third down in the first half and had only seven first downs.
Out of the half, Arizona attempted a fourth-down conversion but was stopped short of the line to gain by SMU. The Wildcats got their break on the following SMU possession when SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings threw an interception caught by Michael Dansby of Arizona.
Arizona marched down the field on a 15-play 96-yard drive ending with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita to wide receiver Javin Whatley to put the Wildcats on the board 24-6 after a missed 2-point conversion try.
“I would say the turning point in my mind was us coming out of half,” Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said postgame. “I love the way this team responded. I love the heart and the fight in this team, and to get back in it the way they did.”
An SMU third down saw Jennings toss up a pass down the field that was batted around and picked off by Arizona’s Riley Wilson.
Nearing the midway point of the fourth quarter following a SMU punt, Arizona went on a 10-play 66-yard drive down the field into Mustang territory. Then, on fourth down and two from the 10-yard line, Arizona wide receiver Tre Spivey caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in the back of the endzone for six. The Wildcats tried another two-point conversion but were unsuccessful, leaving the score 24-12.
“I would have done the same thing again. At the time that I went for two, we were down a lot,” Brennan said. “How I felt about it at the moment, and then also some of the analytics.”
SMU’s Jennings then threw his third interception of the game, once again to Arizona defender Riley Wilson, putting Arizona in a prime position to put points on the board.
“You’ve got to give them credit now, that’s a Top 20 team,” Lashlee said. “You saw in the second half what they’ve done to most people defensively all year.”
Arizona would end up throwing an interception of their own to SMU’s Alexander Kilgore. Arizona scored on its next possession, but time wound down as SMU won the 2026 Holiday Bowl 24-19.
SMU’s offense was firing on all cylinders, totaling 278 yards passing and 114 yards rushing with three rushing touchdowns. Jennings went 21-33 passing, alongside his three interceptions. Yamir Knight caught seven passes for 104 yards for the Mustangs.
“You don’t get many opportunities to do this. Let’s go ride,” Jennings said postgame. “Through the ups and the downs this year, we’ve found a way to bounce back each and every time.”
Noah Fifita ended the day going 28-43 passing with 265 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
“The throws Noah Fifita made at the end of the game were incredible, incredible!” Brennan said.
