Last time the SMU Mustangs won a bowl game, the year was 2012 and its league was Conference USA. That was 13 years and two conference ago, and much has changed within the program, which is rapidly evolving into one of the powers of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Despite the disappointment of barely missing out on a second-straight College Football Playoff berth, SMU flew to San Diego on a business trip, eyeing a signature postseason victory the program lacked for so long. The Mustangs accomplished their mission in the Holiday Bowl, dethroning a ranked Arizona team in 24-19 fashion. Rhett Lashlee and Co. finally erased the decade-plus bowl victory drought, securing a third-straight 9+ win season for SMU.
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The Holiday Bowl was the ultimate tale of two halves. The first half was a commanding 24-0 shutout in favor of the Mustangs. The second half was a mere survival, as Arizona blanked SMU 19-0 across the final two frames.
SMU came out swinging, running a flea-flicker with many moving parts on the second play from scrimmage, freeing up tight end Matthew Hibner for an 80-yard pickup. Running back T.J. Harden punched it in for a 1-yard score a play later, giving the Mustangs the fast start it desperately craved.
The momentum only surged after a few early defensive stops. Harden found the end zone again in the first quarter on a productive drive where quarterback Kevin Jennings surgically picked apart a typically-stout Arizona passing defense — which lacked several All-Big 12 caliber defensive backs. Jennings amassed 248 passing yards in the first half against a unit which held 5-straight opponents under 200.
To start the second quarter, SMU’s lead ballooned to 21-0 on a drive spearheaded by an unlikely source. Tight end Stone Eby — taking reps in place of the absent RJ Maryland — only had two touches all season, but on the opening drive of the second frame, Eby had an 18-yard catch, a devastating block, and a touchdown run to put the Mustangs up three scores.
With 29 seconds remaining in the period, kicker Sam Keltner split the uprights from 24 yards out to provide SMU a 24-0 halftime advantage. Arizona became the first team to score zero in the Holiday Bowl first half since 2009, when an Ndamukong Suh-led Nebraska pitched a 33-0 shutout on the Wildcats.
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Except this time, Arizona wasn’t ready to lie down and post a goose egg on the scoreboard. The Wildcats initiated their rally when Michael Dansby intercepted Jennings in the end zone, preventing SMU from capturing a potential 31-0 lead. Arizona capitalized on SMU’s first turnover of the night by launching a 96-yard drive, concluding in a 28-yard connection from Noah Fifita to Javin Whatley with 2:38 left in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 24-6.
The Mustangs’ turnover hiccups then worsened. Jennings threw a jackpot-style heave downfield where a cluster of Mustangs and Wildcats waited for the skyball to land. After three or four deflections, outside linebacker Riley Wilson made a diving interception in SMU territory, providing Arizona a golden opportunity at a comeback. However, the Wildcats failed on fourth down from the 10-yard line to severely inconvenience the rally.
Still, Fifita went down swinging in the fourth quarter of his 265-yard showing, leading another touchdown drive to encroach on SMU’s once-comfortable advantage. This time, he found Tre Spivey for a 10-yard score with 8:40 left, leaving plenty of time for a comeback in a 24-12 ballgame. SMU’s offense finally responded, bleeding four minutes of clock and reaching the Arizona 34-yard line, looking poised to seal the contest. However, Jennings fired his third interception of the second half and his second to Wilson, which suddenly skyrocketed Arizona’s hopes.
Fifita then delivered his third touchdown strike of the Holiday Bowl with 33 seconds remaining, hitting tight end Cameron Barmore who led the Wildcats in receptions (5) and receiving yards (61). But devoid of timeouts, the Wildcats needed their first onside kick recovery since 2017 to complete the miraculous rebound. However, SMU pounced on the ball without any special teams drama, securing a long-awaited Mustang victory.
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Rhett Lashlee was showered with an egg nog bath in the postgame festivities while wide receiver Yamir Knight (7 receptions, 104 yards) and free safety Ahmaad Moses (13 tackles, 1 pass breakup) claimed Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP honors, respectively.
Arizona (9-4, 6-3 Big 12) fell five points short of its fifth 10-win season in program history. The No. 21 Wildcats may have lost their opportunity for a second season-end ranking of the 21st century, but still, 2025 was an incredible bounce-back year under head coach Brent Brennan. This team stands as one of nine Arizona squads to achieve nine victories and the first to do so since joining the Big 12.
SMU (9-4, 6-2 ACC) finally lifts a bowl trophy after a 13-year wait. The Mustangs, which led in the fourth quarter of all four defeats, fell excruciatingly short of their CFP goals but still checked off a significant goal. The program’s newfound momentum continues with three-straight 9-win seasons for the first time since the prosperous 1981-84 stretch.
