SAN DIEGO — The Arizona Wildcats had hopes to become the fifth team in program history to win 10 games in a season.
Even though they clawed their way to the end, those hopes turned sour for the UA, with the shorthanded 17th-ranked Wildcats 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 in the second half, but a 24-0 deficit was too much to overcome.
Arizona (9-4) snapped its five-game winning streak and lost for the first time since its walk-loss to Houston in October.
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."
"That is incredibly impressive from a team that was picked to be dead last in the Big 12," Brennan said.
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.
SMU wide receiver Yamir Knight (8) breaks away from Arizona defensive back Dajon Hinton (20) during the first half of the Holiday Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
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.
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). 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.
"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 (9-4) 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. The Wildcats didn't allow 300-plus yards in six games this season. The Mustangs ran 79 plays to Arizona's 63.
Arizona allowed 278 passing yards, after not allowing 200 yards in eight straight games, which was the longest streak by a Big 12 team since Missouri in 2004.
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 had a chance to pull within two possessions following an interception by UA linebacker Riley Wilson near the end of the third quarter. Arizona linebacker Chase Kennedy flushed SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings 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 a stumbling Wilson, who had another interception with just over five minutes left in the game.
Arizona reached the SMU 10-yard line, 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. 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.
SMU tight end Matthew Hibner, left, cannot make a catch as Arizona defensive back Devin Dunn, right, defends during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego. Dunn was called for pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Turning point
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, Jennings handed the ball to running back T.J. Harden and then gave it slot receiver Yamir Knight on a cutback to the backfield. Knight pitched it back to Jennings, who 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.
SMU scored three touchdowns on its first four possessions and jumped out to a 24-0 lead at halftime. It was 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.
Arizona senior cornerback Michael Dansby's interception with just over 10 minutes left in the third quarter kickstarted the Wildcats' three takeaways in the second half.
Offensive MVP
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.
Defensive MVP
In his final game at SMU, safety Ahmaad Moses led the Mustangs in tackles (11). Moses was named Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP.
Unsung hero
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.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita passes the ball during the first half of the Holiday Bowl against SMU, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego.
“We didn't finish how we wanted to, but I love this team," Fifita said. "This is probably the most fun I’ve had playing football, just because of the coaches, Coach Brennan, Coach (Seth) Doege and the players."
Injury report
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.
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.
What's next
The Wildcats end their second season under Brennan with a 9-4 record.
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 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.
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."
