SAN DIEGO — Arizona had aspirations to become the fifth team in program history to win 10 games.
Even though the Cats clawed their way to the end, those hopes turned sour, with the shorthanded 17th-ranked UA falling to SMU, 24-19, in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl Friday night at Snapdragon Stadium.
Arizona fought back in the second half and outscored the Mustangs 19-0, but a 24-0 deficit was too much to overcome.
Arizona (9-4) had its five-game winning streak snapped and lost for the first time since its walk-off defeat to Houston in October. The Wildcats lost their first bowl game since the Foster Farms Bowl in 2017. SMU won its first bowl game since 2012.
Disappointed with the loss, Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said, "it's worth noting that Team 122 here at the University of Arizona is one of eight teams in the history of our program to win nine games."
"I'm proud of this team," Brennan said. "I'm disappointed and pissed off about tonight, but I'm not gonna let that wreck how I feel about Team 122.”
As the Wildcats officially enter the offseason, here's a look at notable storylines, statistics and quotes from the season-ending setback in the Holiday Bowl, along with a look at what's next for Arizona.
Opt-out blues
The Wildcats were without arguably their three best defensive players and the heart and soul of one of the top passing defenses in college football.
Arizona senior defensive backs and first-team All-Big 12 selections Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson and junior safety Genesis Smith opted out of the Holiday Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft — similar to former left tackle Jordan Morgan, who opted out of Arizona's win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl two years ago.
Stukes, Johnson and Smith — who combined to play 6,700 defensive snaps at Arizona — will likely be Day 3 NFL Draft picks (rounds 4-7). Former UA wide receiver Jacob Cowing and tight end Tanner McLachlan were also Day 3 NFL Draft prospects who played in the Alamo Bowl.
In place of Arizona's trio was Gavin Hunter, who started the first two games of the season in place of Stukes, along with freshmen Dajon Hinton and Coleman Patmon, who both made their first starts at the UA.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan yells from the sideline during the second half of the Holiday Bowl against SMU Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
"Those are family decisions, and we respect that," Brennan said of Stukes, Johnson and Smith opting out. "We love those guys. Those guys have made an incredible impact on our program this season and for all the years they've been here at the University of Arizona. I want to be respectful of that for them and their families. It also gave some of our younger players a chance to get high-level, meaningful reps against a very good opponent."
Hunter and Patmon were the safety tandem, with Hinton — who starred at Chandler Hamilton — at slot cornerback.
SMU also had multiple opt-outs, including second-leading receiver Romello Brinson, tight end RJ Maryland and defensive tackle Jeffrey M'ba.
However, the opt-outs and absences impacted the Wildcats more. Including defensive end Tre Smith, who's out for the season with a shoulder injury, the Wildcats were without arguably their four best defensive players on Friday.
SMU had 394 yards of total offense to Arizona's 441 — 321 of those UA yards were in the second half. It's the most yards the Wildcats have surrendered since the double-overtime loss to No. 18 BYU on Oct. 11. The Wildcats didn't allow 300-plus yards in six games this season; they allowed 328 in the first half. The Mustangs ran 79 plays to Arizona's 63.
Arizona wide receiver Chris Hunter (11) tries to break a tackle by SMU safety Ahmaad Moses (3) during the first half of the Holiday Bowl, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
Arizona allowed 278 passing yards on Friday, after not allowing 200 yards in eight straight games, which was the longest streak by a Big 12 team since Missouri in 2004.
SMU scored three touchdowns on its first four possessions and jumped out to a 24-0 lead at halftime. It marked the first time Arizona was shut out in a half since the Territorial Cup to end the 2024 season. The last time Arizona trailed by two touchdowns was the loss to Houston in October.
SMU's first touchdown of the night was set up by a trick play. On SMU's second play from scrimmage on its opening drive, SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings handed the ball to running back T.J. Harden who then gave it slot receiver Yamir Knight who pitched it back to Jennings for a flea flicker, and Jennings connected with tight end Matthew Hibner for an 80-yard gain down to the UA 1-yard line; Harden scored a rushing touchdown the following play. Hibner's reception is the longest pass in Holiday Bowl history.
Jennings, who's set to return to SMU next season, completed 21 of 32 passes for 278 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) looks to pass the ball during the first half of the Holiday Bowl against Arizona, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
Jennings had seven passes of 15-plus yards and had completions of 80, 31, 22, 21 (twice), 20 and 18 yards. Knight, who was named the Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP, was Jennings' top target with seven catches for 104 yards.
SMU had a balanced offensive attack with 32 passes and 32 rush attempts, but its passing game exposed the weakness in Arizona's defense.
Players opting out of non-College Football Playoff bowl games is a hot topic in college football. Ahead of the Holiday Bowl, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee was critical of opt-outs, but said, "The kids don't have to change, it's the surroundings."
"It's agents telling them 'Don't play,' and they don't have a clue," Lashlee said. "If you're not a first- or second-round pick, you have no business not playing.
"So many kids get told, 'Don't play. Don't don't do this, don't do that.' Well, if it was a first-round playoff game, you'd be playing. You can get hurt in that, so why would you play? If you're a competitor, you compete."
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee, right, and Yamir Knight (8) celebrate after SMU beat Arizona in the Holiday Bowl, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
Stukes, a sixth-year player and the last UA player to play for former head coach Kevin Sumlin, had a productive season after returning from a season-ending knee injury in 2024. Stukes is set to participate in the Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, a pre-draft showcase. Johnson accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl later this month at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Smith has the option to enter the transfer portal since he has another year of eligibility remaining, but the safety is expected to turn pro.
The trio's decision sit out of the Holiday Bowl embittered Arizona fans, especially the ones who trekked to San Diego expecting to see the Wildcats win. Brennan empathized with the UA faithful, but said, "Dalton, Stukes, Genesis, the plays they made for this football team during their careers here, specifically the plays they made for this football team this season, they were incredible."
"I understand people being frustrated and I can't expect people in the outside world to have a clear understanding about how all of these things move in the current era of college football," Brennan said. "But those guys are incredible Wildcats. Those guys were amazing leaders for this program. They chose to stay when the entire world tried to lure them away with money and all kinds of stuff, and they chose the U of A, they chose to finish their careers here.
"I understand people being disappointed, but I love those three guys."
Redline in second half
Arizona's offense didn't help the undermanned UA defense in the first half.
Arizona's offense struggled to find a rhythm early and didn't score until quarterback Noah Fifita threw a 28-yard touchdown over the middle to wide receiver Javin Whatley to cut into the deficit, 24-6, in the third quarter. Fifita completed 28 of 43 passes for 265 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Arizona senior cornerback Michael Dansby's interception with just over 10 minutes left in the third quarter kick-started the Wildcats' three takeaways in the second half, but Arizona scored six points off those three SMU turnovers.
Leading up to Jennings' second interception in the third quarter, Arizona linebacker Chase Kennedy flushed the SMU quarterback out of the pocket to the right, and his pass attempt was tipped by Jay'Vion Cole, and the ball landed in the hands of stumbling linebacker Riley Wilson, who had another interception with just over five minutes left in the game.
Arizona reached the SMU 10-yard line after Wilson's first interception, but Fifita threw an incomplete pass to wide receiver Kris Hutson in the left corner of the end zone on fourth down. The Wildcats were 2 for 5 on fourth-down conversions Friday night. Arizona was 2 for 3 in the red zone against an SMU defense that ranks first in the ACC in red-zone defense.
Ffita threw a 10-yard touchdown to wide receiver Tre Spivey and a 15-yard touchdown throw to tight end Cameron Barmore in the second half. After Barmore's touchdown with 33 seconds left in the game, kicker Michael Salgado-Medina's onside kick was recovered by SMU.
If the Wildcats kicked the PATs instead of attempting two failed two-point conversions and opted to kick a chip-shot field goal for Salgado-Medina in the fourth quarter, those five points could've tied the game. When Brennan was asked about the two-point conversion attempt, he said he "would have done the same thing."
"At the time that I went for two, we were down a lot," Brennan said. "I was like, ‘If we can go for two, we can reduce the possession we need to be to tie it.’ Part of that was a conversation we were having on the headset, how I felt about it at the moment and then also some of the analytics conversation.”
Arizona outgained SMU 309-64 in the second half. Despite another shutout in the second half, the Wildcats fell short. Arizona outscored its last three opponents 66-0 in the second half. The Wildcats outscored their opponents 96-36 in the fourth quarter this season.
"We made it a game in that second half," Brennan said. "One of the things I told the team is that the truth is, we didn't play well enough in the first half to win it, and that starts with me. But 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."
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita passes the ball during the first half of the Holiday Bowl against SMU, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
Fifita's fight
Fifita led the Wildcats in rushing yards (73) and threw three touchdowns in the second half. Fifita set Arizona's single-season passing touchdown record with 29. Fifita's 73 career touchdowns are the most in program history.
Fifita needs 29 passing yards to pass Willie Tuitama for the second-most all-time passing yards by an Arizona quarterback — 829 yards to pass Nick Foles for the most passing yards in school history.
Fifita is the ninth quarterback in UA history to pass for 3,000 yards in a season. Fifita ended his third season as Arizona's starter with 3,228 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions.
“We didn't finish how we wanted to, but I love this team. This is probably the most fun I’ve had playing football, just because of the coaches, Coach Brennan, (offensive coordinator Seth Doege) and the players."
Added Fifita: "Obviously, tonight didn’t go as expected, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else. I love this team. I love these coaches, and best believe when we get back in two weeks, Team 123 is going to get to work.”
Fifita doubled down on his return for the 2026 season.
"We got unfinished business," Fifita said. "I'm coming back."
By the numbers
9: Arizona and SMU both ended the season with nine wins.
31: Total takeaways for the Wildcats this season. Arizona had more takeaways than touchdowns allowed (28).
39: Total margin of defeat for Arizona this season. The Wildcats lost to Iowa State, 39-14, and lost the other three games by a possession.
51.4: Arizona's pass-blocking grade for the Holiday Bowl on Pro Football Focus, which is a season low. The Wildcats gave up 17 hurries and 18 quarterback pressures.
97: Tackles this season for Johnson, who led the team for the second straight season. Johnson is the first Arizona defensive back since Darrell Brooks in 2004 and ’05 to lead the Wildcats in tackles in back-to-back seasons.
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee has eggnog thrown over him after SMU beat Arizona in the Holiday Bowl Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
They said it
Wilson, on being teammates with Stukes, Johnson and Smith: "Man, it was a blessing for me to come in and join a group that's a brotherhood. They're the three-headed dragon. Being able to play with them and hang out with them off the field, it was a blessing every day. It was a dream come true to play with guys of that caliber."
Wilson, on what led to the defensive turnaround in the second half: "Redline. That’s what this program is built on, and Coach Brennan and this whole staff have done a great job of establishing that foundation. ... Obviously, it didn't end the way we wanted, but you got to see this part, and the foundation of this team is just amazing. ... It's going to be absolutely scary next year. Unfortunately, I won't be there, but I'm going to be really happy this time next year, that’s for sure.”
Lashlee on leading SMU to its first bowl win since 2012: “We hadn't won a bowl game, we hadn't finished the season with a win. And to get to do it here in San Diego at a bowl as prestigious as the Holiday Bowl against Coach Brennan and a great team, it's just a great way to cap off the season.”
Injury report
Hinton, who overcame a left leg injury this season, left the game in the first half with a right leg injury. Patmon also left the game, leaving Arizona to shuffle its defensive secondary. Senior cornerback Ayden Garnes, who had nine tackles and a stop for loss, moved to nickel back and Cole shifted to safety.
Arizona cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew played his first defensive snaps since the loss to Houston. Groves-Killebrew missed the last five games of the regular season. Groves-Killebrew recorded a tackle in 20 snaps.
Arizona left tackle Ty Buchanan exited the game in the first half and was replaced by Rhino Tapa'atoutai. With Buchanan out, the Wildcats were down two starting tackles. Redshirt freshman Matthew Lado started the last three games of the season with senior Tristan Bounds out with a leg injury.
“You want to talk about an absolute warrior," Brennan said of Buchanan. "Ty Buchanan, we love that guy, and what a great story, because he played his best football here. ... So many times he told all of us that this is the most fun he's ever had playing football. He got to be an important part of a special journey. I just wish he could have finished it tonight.”
Arizona defensive back Michael Dansby (25) intercepts a pass intended for SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson (2) during the second half of the Holiday Bowl Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
What's next
The Wildcats end their second season under Brennan with a 9-4 record, the eighth team in program history to reach nine wins.
Arizona opens the 2026 season against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Sept. 5 at Casino Del Sol Stadium. The Wildcats have nonconference games against NAU, Northern Illinois and former Pac-12 foe Washington State in Pullman.
Arizona's Big 12 opponents in 2026 are Texas Tech, BYU, Utah, Kansas State, TCU, Iowa State, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Arizona State.
The transfer portal period, which started on Friday, is open until Jan. 16. The Wildcats currently have 10 players entering the transfer portal.
"For this program, now we have work to do," Brennan said. "How do we build on this season? We're going to dive into the transfer portal. We're going to attack recruiting.
"We're going to attack developing the next group, Team 123, with the great players coming back, the young players we're in the process of developing, and the exciting players we're going to add over the next month. ... I love this football team. These young men are incredibly special to me. I love our coaching staff.
"I'm appreciative of everybody who's helped us build this program, from our president to our athletic director to the coaches, our support staff and the players who play all the games. We have a really special group of people here, and I love where we're headed."
