Arizona falls short in Holiday Bowl, finishes season 9-4

SAN DIEGO (KYMA) - Arizona's season ended with a disappointing result, but the future in Tucson remains bright.

The Wildcats dropped a 24-19 decision to SMU in the Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium, snapping a five-game winning streak and closing the year at 9-4. Still, moments after the final whistle, team captain and quarterback Noah Fifita delivered the news Arizona fans wanted most he’s coming back.

"Yeah, we have unfinished business," Fifita said. "I'm coming back."

Arizona entered the bowl game riding momentum few expected earlier in the season. After opening Big 12 play at 4-3, the Wildcats surged with five straight wins, including statement victories over then-No. 25 Cincinnati and then-No. 20 Arizona State.

The run transformed Arizona from a Big 12 afterthought into a legitimate contender and energized a fan base that traveled well to San Diego, outnumbering SMU supporters in the stands.

But the Wildcats were shorthanded before kickoff. Defensive backs Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson and Genesis Smith opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft, leaving Arizona thin in the secondary.

"Those are family decisions, and we respect that," head coach Brent Brennan said. "Those guys have made an incredible impact on our program."

The impact was evident early. SMU jumped out to a 24-0 first-half lead, exploiting a young Arizona secondary that struggled to slow the Mustangs' passing attack. Arizona's offense, meanwhile, had difficulty finding rhythm early and was forced to play catch-up the rest of the night.

The Wildcats showed life in the second half, but couldn't fully overcome the early deficit, falling short despite a late push.

Arizona also faced adversity up front. Left tackle Ty Buchanan exited early with a leg injury and did not return, forcing Rhino Tapa'atoutai into action.

With right tackle Tristan Bounds already sidelined late in the season, the bowl game offered a preview of potential options heading into next year, and highlighted the need for added depth on the offensive line.

"You want to talk about an absolute warrior," Brennan said of Buchanan. "He played his best football here."

While the loss stings, the broader picture tells a different story. Arizona exceeded expectations in its first season under Brennan, finishing one win shy of the program’s rare 10-win milestone. The Wildcats also have the No. 38 recruiting class arriving, along with anticipated additions through the transfer portal.

With Fifita returning for his redshirt senior season, Arizona's foundation remains intact.

Despite an underwhelming bowl performance, the Holiday Bowl served as both a reminder of the challenges of modern college football including opt-outs and a confirmation that Arizona is firmly trending upward.

The season may be over, but in Tucson, belief is just getting started.