SMU Holds Off Furious Arizona Rally to Win Holiday Bowl, 24-19

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

SNAPDRAGON STADIUM – The SMU Mustangs (9-4) held off a frantic second-half comeback to defeat the No. 17 Arizona Wildcats (9-4) 24-19 in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl on Friday night, claiming the program's first bowl victory in 13 years.

The Mustangs dominated the first half, building a 24-0 lead before the Wildcats mounted a desperate rally that fell just short.

"It's the first bowl we've won in a while here at SMU," said Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee. "Each year, we've been able to check things off. That's the one thing this group hadn't done. We hadn't won a bowl game, we hadn't finished the season with a win."

SMU came out firing, racing to a 21-0 lead before halftime with three touchdown drives that dissected Arizona's undermanned defense. The Wildcats were without several key players who opted out of the bowl game, a decision Arizona head coach Brent Brennan acknowledged before kickoff.

"Three weeks ago, we had some of our players tell us that they were not going to play in this football game," Brennan said. "Those are family decisions, and we respect that."

Senior running back T.J. Harden set the tone immediately for SMU, capping the opening 83-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run just 13:58 into the game. Harden struck again midway through the first quarter with a 3-yard scoring plunge, making it 14-0.

The Mustangs' offense showed no signs of slowing. A methodical 16-play, 94-yard drive consumed nearly seven minutes and ended with senior tight end Stone Eby's 1-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21-0.

Sam Keltner added a 24-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the half for a commanding 24-0 advantage.

"One, we couldn't have played much better in the first half," Lashlee said. "Nobody has done that to Arizona's defense all year."

But Arizona, picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason poll before winning nine games, refused to go quietly.

Holiday Bowl: Arizona and SMU Ready for Showdown

Photo Credit: David Frerker / Holiday Bowl

With the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl set to kick off after New Year's Day, both Arizona head coach Brent Brennan and SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee expressed enthusiasm and mutual respect during Monday's coaches press conference in San Diego.

A Homecoming for Brennan

For Brennan, the Holiday Bowl represents a return to familiar territory. The Arizona coach shared personal connections to the storied bowl game, recalling his time as a graduate assistant at Washington in 1999 and watching his brother play in the 1998 edition.

"The University of Arizona is incredibly honored to be in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl," Brennan said, praising the hospitality of Sports San Diego and its legendary red jackets. He emphasized the significance of playing in California, his home state, and noted that much of Arizona's roster hails from the Golden State.

The Wildcats enter the match-up with one of the nation's top defenses and the country's best turnover margin. Brennan urged fans to snap up the remaining 5,000 tickets, promising an exceptional college football game.

SMU's Postseason Tradition Continues

Lashlee, leading SMU to its seventh straight postseason appearance, acknowledged the Holiday Bowl's prestigious history while looking to improve the Mustangs' recent bowl game record.

"For our school, our fan base, and our players to get to play in this game is a huge honor," Lashlee said, referencing SMU's memorable 1980 Holiday Bowl appearance featuring Eric Dickerson and Craig James.

The SMU coach praised Arizona's formidable defense, highlighting their ranking as the second-best turnover defense in the country and noting that only two teams have scored over 30 points against them in regulation this season.

Desert Heat vs. Pony Express: No. 17 Arizona and SMU Clash in Post-New Year’s Holiday Bowl Showdown

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

The Trust & Will Holiday Bowl on January 2, 2026, promises a clash of rising powers when the No. 17 Arizona Wildcats (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) meet the SMU Mustangs (8-4, 6-2 ACC) at Snapdragon Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Pacific Time on FOX, marking the first time the storied bowl shifts to a post-New Year's slot.

The Wildcats roll in riding high after a stunning 2025 turnaround under second-year coach Brent Brennan, flipping last season's 4-8 record into a 9-3 finish capped by a five-game winning streak, including a nail-biting Territorial Cup victory over Arizona State. Quarterback Noah Fifita, now the program's all-time passing touchdown leader, shredded defenses for 2,963 yards and 26 scores, fueling an attack averaging 32.6 points and 404.8 yards per game. Senior running back Ismail Mahdi (887 all-purpose yards) and a revamped line kept things balanced at 150.4 rushing yards per game. But it's defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales' "bend-don't-break" unit—19th nationally in scoring defense (18.9 points per game) and forcing 28 turnovers—that stole the show, earning him Broyles Award semifinalist recognition. Arizona's ready to etch a 10th win into history, their fifth 10-win campaign.

SMU, in year two of Atlantic Coast Conference life after a blockbuster 2024 debut that landed them in the playoff, arrives hungry to snap a five-game bowl losing streak dating to the 2012 Hawaii Bowl. Rhett Lashlee's Ponies posted an 8-3 mark before a late-season stumble at Cal dashed title hopes, but their high-flying offense—32.9 points per game, 11th in passing (283.5 yards per game)—stayed lethal behind quarterback Kevin Jennings' 3,363 yards and 26 touchdowns. Senior running back T.J. Harden (747 yards, 7 scores) and wide receiver Jordan Hudson (749 yards, 6 touchdowns) powered the ground-and-air assault, while a stingy defense (20.7 points per game allowed, 19th in rush defense) notched 27 takeaways. The series sits even at 1-1 (SMU's 1938 win, Arizona's 1985 upset of No. 3 SMU), but under these lights, expect fireworks as both squads vie for Holiday Bowl supremacy.

College Football: Syracuse completes 10-win season with Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

SAN DIEGO - In a record-setting offensive showcase, the No. 21 ranked Syracuse Orange capped its first season under head coach Fran Brown with a 52-35 victory over the Washington State Cougars in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday night.

Senior quarterback Kyle McCord threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns, breaking Deshaun Watson's ACC single-season record for most passing yards. The Orange (10-3) reached 10 wins for just the eighth time in program history.

"The 10 wins show that we are becoming a successful program and we have to continue to work," said Brown. "This is just a standard that was set, and we want to go above and beyond."

LeQuint Allen starred for Syracuse with 165 total yards and three touchdowns, while Darrell Gill Jr. added 145 receiving yards. The Orange offense amassed 606 total yards and set a new team record for most points scored in a bowl game.

For Washington State (8-5), the game represented more than just the final score. Playing with a depleted roster following recent program changes, the Cougars showed resilience behind senior receiver Kyle Williams, who put up a Holiday Bowl record 172 yards on 10 catches, including a 66-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Zevi Eckhaus in the first quarter.

Williams learned after the game that he had broken Oklahoma State star Dez Bryant's Holiday Bowl receiving yards record.

"Honestly it's amazing," Williams said. "Every game I come and try to put on a show and try to do the most that I can. But to beat a receiver that's an all-time great like that, it's just an honor and it shows that all of the work I put in, it wasn't for nothing."

"I'm grateful I could do that, but I wouldn't have got it without this gunslinger," he added, referring to Eckhaus, who threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns.

"When you're out there between the white lines, you're not thinking about anything else," Williams added. "Out there, that's our sanctuary."

Washington State interim head coach Pete Kaligis was emotional while praising his team's effort. 

"They fought and I'm so proud of them," he said. "The one thing I do know is that love never fails."

Moss' record-breaking performance powers USC over Louisville in DIRECTV Holiday Bowl

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

In a surprising turn of events, USC quarterback Miller Moss stole the show in his first college start at the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, leading the Trojans (8-5) to a 42-28 victory over the No. 16 Louisville Cardinals (10-4) at Petco Park on Wednesday night.

With the 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft, Moss seized the opportunity and orchestrated an electrifying offensive performance. The redshirt sophomore broke the Holiday Bowl record with six touchdown passes, the most by a USC quarterback in their first start, as the Trojans closed out a turbulent season on a high note.

Moss completed 23 of 33 passes for 372 yards, with one interception. His highlight reel included a 12-yard toss to Ja'Kobi Lane and a 44-yard bomb to Duce Robinson to seal the win.

Williams watched and supported his teammates from the sidelines as Moss engineered the unforgettable showing. The six touchdowns also tied the Pac-12 bowl record and set a new mark for USC in bowl games.

Tahj Washington hauled in seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while Kyron Hudson added another score.

Louisville's Isaac Guerendo had an impressive performance, rushing for 161 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to dampen the Trojans' offensive fireworks. 

After a rocky season that failed to live up to high expectations, Moss's phenomenal debut provided redemption for USC, closing out the year with a positive outlook as they get set to make their Big Ten debut in 2024.

USC and Louisville to clash at the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

The KGB Skyshow is not the only fireworks expected when the USC Trojans (7-5) and the No. 16 ranked Louisville Cardinals (10-3) meet at Petco Park on December 27th.

The Trojans will be without star quarterback Caleb Williams, who passed for over 3,600 yards and 30 touchdowns but opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. Making his first career start in Williams' place is sophomore Miller Moss. In limited backup duty this season, Moss flashed potential by passing for 542 yards and three touchdowns.

Moss will have no shortage of offensive weapons at his disposal. Electric receiver Tahj Washington looks to break loose after compiling 963 receiving yards and six touchdowns this year. Running back MarShawn Lloyd also poses a threat having rushed for 820 yards and nine scores. But this gifted Trojan attack will have its hands full against a suffocating Louisville defense.

The Cardinals give up just 16.4 points on average behind the havoc-wreaking pass rush of defensive end Ashton Gillotte (11 sacks) and the fearsome tackling of linebacker TJ Quinn (87 tackles). The two stars headline a punishing unit that could shake the inexperienced Moss.

Yet Louisville has plenty of scoring power too behind the arm of quarterback Jack Plummer. Hitting top targets Jamari Thrash (858 receiving yards, 6 TDs) and Jawhar Jordan (1,128 rushing yards, 13 TDs), Plummer helped guide an offense averaging over 30 points per contest. 

The Cardinals will make their first-ever Holiday Bowl appearance while the Trojans are back for the fourth time. USC is 1-2 all-time in San Diego's marquee bowl game, with their lone triumph coming in a 45-42 thriller over Nebraska in 2014. 

Ducks Fly High in Thrilling Holiday Bowl Victory Over North Carolina

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

The first football game played at Petco Park was one for the books as the University of Oregon Ducks (10-3) defeated the University of North Carolina Tar Heels (9-5) 28-27 in the 2022 SDCCU Holiday Bowl on Wednesday night. Bo Nix helped lead the Ducks to their third Holiday Bowl victory in team history, completing 23 of 30 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Nix also had a strong ground game, rushing for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Tyler Ferguson led Oregon in receiving with 84 yards on 5 receptions.

Drake Maye threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns for the Tar Heels, completing 18 of 35 passes. With 50 yards on 17 carries, Elijah Green led the Tar Heels in rushing. Kobe Paysour also had a solid game, catching seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.

From start to finish, the game was hotly contested, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Bucky Irving scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter to give the Ducks an early lead, but North Carolina replied with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Maye to Andre Greene Jr.

Irving scored again in the second quarter, this time on a 66-yard run, but the Tar Heels responded with touchdowns from Maye to Bryson Nesbit and Kobe Paysour, taking a 21-14 advantage into halftime.

With 9:13 remaining, UNC expanded their lead to 24-14 on a 19-yard field goal by Noah Burnette, but the Ducks rallied with a touchdown pass from Nix to Troy Franklin. Burnette added another field goal for the Tar Heels, but Oregon tied the game 27-27 with 19 seconds left on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Nix to Chase Cota. Camden Lewis' PAT attempt hit the upright but bounced through for the game-winning point. 

Maye's last-second hail mary attempt was deflected in the endzone, securing the victory for the Ducks.

Play of the Game

Late in the second quarter, Nix attempted a pass to tight end Terrance Ferguson, however, the pass was slightly off-target and was deflected by UNC linebacker Cedric Gray as it hit Ferguson's hand. The ball then ricocheted off Gray's leg and was kicked up into the air by Power Echols' toe. Echols was able to catch the ball and returned it 40 yards to Oregon's 49-yard line with 35 seconds remaining in the first half. The SportsCenter Top 10 worthy play set up a 49-yard touchdown strike from Maye to Paysour to give the Tar Heels a 21-14 lead going into halftime.

pic.twitter.com/8TXJDTM0XV

— tarheelupdate (@tarheelupdate) December 29, 2022

2022 SDCCU Holiday Bowl Preview: Oregon vs. North Carolina

Following last year's unexpected cancellation, the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl will finally be played at Petco Park. The Oregon Ducks and the North Carolina Tar Heels meet for the first time ever in what will be the first football game ever played at the home of the Padres.

Oregon (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) enters its fourth Holiday Bowl appearance with a 9-3 record and a lot of optimism surrounding the program. They will be headed by quarterback Bo Nix, who recently revealed his intention to play in this game and return to Eugene for another season. Nix has been an important contributor for the Ducks, completing more than 71% of his throws for 3,388 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing for 504 yards and 14 scores. 

North Carolina (9-4, 6-2 ACC) is looking to end the season on a high note after dropping its last three games entering this contest, including a 39-10 loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship. In addition, the Tar Heels have lost three starting defensive backs to the transfer portal, and receiver Josh Downs has opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. Despite improving in the second half of the season, North Carolina struggled on defense, finishing worst in the ACC in scoring, total defense, and pass defense, and 12th in run defense.

Drake Maye of North Carolina enters the game as the nation's leading freshman in passing yards (4,115), touchdowns (35), and efficiency (159.99). Maye also put up a team-leading 653 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Oregon's defense may struggle to contain Maye without the help of standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who is entering the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as a slew of defensive ends who decided to transfer this month. Maye, on the other hand, will be missing his leading receiver, Josh Downs, who has also opted out of the game to prepare for the draft. Receiver Antoine Green and tight end Bryson Nesbit will be available as key targets for UNC's offense.

With both teams relying on their passing offenses and confronting weaknesses in their pass defenses, the first football game at Petco Park should be a shootout.

Players from San Diego

Don Chapman, a Lincoln High alum who helped lead the program to its first state championship appearance in 2018, is a senior safety for North Carolina. He has 18 solo tackles, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended this season.

The Ducks have a few former Hornets on their roster in Jalil Tucker and Jahlil Florence, both freshman defensive backs. Former Mater Dei Catholic athlete Darren Barkins is also a redshirt freshman for Oregon. In eight games this season, Barkins had three solo tackles and one pass defense.

Byron Cardwell, a Morse High alum and highly recruited running back, recently announced his intention to transfer after two seasons at Oregon. Cardwell appeared in just two games for the Ducks this season, accumulating 76 yards and one touchdown on 11 rushes, as well as 34 yards and a touchdown on four catches.

Special Thanks

As we get set for our fifth season covering football in San Diego, we would like to show our appreciation to the men and women who helped make this dream possible.

To all the head coaches and players we interviewed, the organizations that allowed us to cover their events, our friends and followers on social media, and everyone who visit and contribute to this site...

The San Diego Football Network Thanks You!

USC holds off Nebraska in Holiday Bowl

QUALCOMM STADIUM (12/27/2014) In one of the most highest scoring affairs in the history of San Diego's premier bowl game, the Southern California Trojans (9-4) came away with a thrilling victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-4) in front of 55,789 fans.

Down 45-27 late in the third quarter, Nebraska rallied back with 15 unanswered points. With one second left to play, the Huskers had one last shot at a game-winning hail mary, but Tommy Armstrong Jr.'s pass was knocked down by Nelson Agholor.

Highlights from the 2013 Holiday Bowl

 

QUALCOMM STADIUM (12/30/2013) Freshman quarterback Davis Webb threw for 403 yards and four touchdowns to help his Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-5) pull off a 37-23 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils (10-4) in the National University Holiday Bowl.

 

Webb's four touchdowns tied a Holiday Bowl record and earned him offensive MVP honors.

2012 Holiday Bowl Recap: UCLA vs. Baylor

 

 

QUALCOMM STADIUM (12/27/2012) Sophomore running back Lache Seastrunk rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown to help Baylor (8-5) defeat UCLA (9-5) 49-26 in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl.

 

The Baylor defense played a huge role in the win totaling six sacks, 12 tackles for losses, and 11 pass break ups.