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 Number 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.

2025 CIF San Diego Champions Crowned

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

Open Division Champions

Cathedral Catholic Dons

Def. Carlsbad 20-16

Cathedral Catholic staged one of the most stunning rallies in San Diego Section playoff history, erasing a 16-0 deficit with a furious fourth-quarter surge to defeat Carlsbad 20-16 and claim their fourth Open Division championship. The Dons (10-2) looked finished after Carlsbad quarterback Eli MacNeal connected with Travis Jeffery on a 48-yard touchdown in the third quarter, building on his earlier 27-yard scoring strike to Ethan Meyerhoff and a 37-yard Beckham Filippini field goal that had the Lancers cruising with a 16-0 lead. But Cathedral Catholic's offense awakened in the final period, beginning with Honor Faalave-Johnson's five-yard rushing touchdown before quarterback Brady Palmer delivered the game's defining moment—a soaring 71-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Cook that made it 16-13. With under a minute remaining, the Dons completed their remarkable comeback with a four-yard rushing touchdown to take their first lead at 20-16, then held on through the final seconds to secure the crown. The devastating loss marked Carlsbad's (10-2) fourth defeat in an Open Division title game, as they were unable to protect their advantage despite dominating for three quarters behind MacNeal's strong performance and a defense that had completely bottled up the Dons until the fourth quarter explosion.

Division I Champions

Granite Hills Eagles

Def. Lincoln 41-29

Granite Hills claimed its fourth straight section championship by overcoming an early deficit in a physical, back-and-forth thriller that saw the lead change hands multiple times before the Eagles prevailed. After Rashad Robinson's explosive touchdown run put Lincoln up 14-0, junior quarterback Zachary Benitez sparked the comeback by connecting with Zhedan Smith to make it 14-7. Gage Spalding's rushing touchdown tied it 14-14, but Junior Curtis answered to restore the Hornets' lead at 21-14. Just before halftime, Benitez delivered a spectacular 65-yard strike to Noah Walker, though the missed extra point left Lincoln ahead 21-20 at the break. Granite Hills seized control in the third quarter when Benitez found Walker on an eight-yard touchdown pass for a 26-21 lead, but Robinson responded with another touchdown run and two-point conversion to put Lincoln back on top 29-26. The Eagles answered immediately as Benitez hit Walker for their third scoring connection, giving Granite Hills a 33-29 advantage entering the fourth quarter. After surviving a missed field goal attempt, Spalding delivered the knockout blow with a late touchdown run with 1:25 remaining to seal the victory. Benitez finished with a phenomenal 16-of-25 performance for 309 yards and four touchdowns while adding eight rushing yards, orchestrating an offense that accumulated 500 total yards. Walker was unstoppable with seven receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns, while Smith contributed three catches for 71 yards and a score. Spalding powered the ground game with 101 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, complemented by Anthony Mattar's 25 yards and Seth Rodriquez's 40 yards. The Eagles' defense dominated when it mattered most, led by Braydon Wells' 10 tackles, while Wyatt MacLeod wreaked havoc with 10 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Parker Johnson added 13 tackles and a tackle for loss.