The 2026 Trust & Will Holiday Bowl delivered exactly what its long history promises: tension, momentum swings, and a finish that demanded attention until the final whistle. On January 2, 2026, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, the Southern Methodist Mustangs held off the Arizona Wildcats, earning a 24–19 victory in a game defined by resilience and late-game composure.
Played under clear skies in one of college football’s most scenic postseason settings, the Holiday Bowl once again affirmed its reputation as a showcase for competitive, evenly matched teams. For SMU, the win represented validation of a season built on consistency and belief. For Arizona, the narrow loss was a painful reminder of how thin the margins can be when bowl games reach their closing moments.
Few non-playoff bowls carry the credibility of the Holiday Bowl. Long positioned as a destination game that pairs quality programs with national relevance, the contest has built a legacy of memorable finishes and high-level football. The move to Snapdragon Stadium added a modern edge without diminishing the bowl’s identity.
Arizona and SMU arrived in San Diego with different narratives but similar ambitions. Arizona sought to cap a season of growth and rediscovered competitiveness, while SMU aimed to confirm its status as one of the most consistent programs outside the traditional power structure. The matchup promised contrast and delivered balance.
The opening quarter unfolded cautiously, with both teams probing rather than pressing. Arizona relied on physicality and controlled pacing, attempting to establish rhythm through measured drives. SMU countered with speed and discipline, spreading the field and testing Arizona’s defensive spacing.
It was SMU that struck first, capitalizing on early momentum with a scoring drive that set the tone. The Mustangs’ offense showed its characteristic efficiency, converting opportunities without forcing the issue. Arizona responded with patience, methodically moving the ball and keeping the game within reach.
The first half evolved into a chess match. Neither team dominated, but both demonstrated the preparedness expected of bowl-season opponents. By halftime, the scoreboard reflected the game’s balance, and the outcome remained very much undecided.
The third quarter introduced a sharper edge. Arizona emerged intent on asserting control, leaning on sustained drives and physical play to challenge SMU’s defensive endurance. The Wildcats’ efforts paid off, narrowing the gap and briefly shifting momentum.
SMU, however, refused to yield. The Mustangs adjusted quickly, responding with a composed offensive series that reclaimed the lead. The exchange of scores underscored the game’s central theme: neither team could afford a lapse.
Defensively, SMU tightened coverage in key moments, forcing Arizona to settle for shorter gains rather than explosive plays. Meanwhile, Arizona’s defense responded with pressure of its own, ensuring that no lead felt safe.
As the fourth quarter approached, the game carried the unmistakable tension of a Holiday Bowl classic.
The final quarter delivered the drama the setting demanded. SMU extended its advantage with a critical scoring drive, blending balance and tempo to produce points when they mattered most. The 24 points the Mustangs scored were not overwhelming, but they were timely.
Arizona answered with urgency. The Wildcats moved the ball efficiently, refusing to let the game slip away quietly. A late touchdown brought the score to 24–19, reigniting belief and putting pressure squarely on SMU to finish.
The closing minutes tested composure. Arizona pushed for one final opportunity, but SMU’s defense held firm, denying the Wildcats the decisive breakthrough. When the final seconds expired, the Mustangs emerged with a hard-earned five-point victory.
For SMU, the Holiday Bowl victory was a statement of maturity. The Mustangs did not rely on a single dominant phase; instead, they won through balance and situational execution. In a game defined by narrow margins, SMU made fewer mistakes and capitalized on critical moments.
The win reinforced the program’s trajectory, validating a season built on consistency and competitive resolve. Finishing the year with a bowl victory in a respected postseason setting added credibility and momentum heading into the next chapter.
For Arizona, the loss was difficult but instructive. The Wildcats demonstrated resilience and competitiveness throughout, but the inability to convert late opportunities proved decisive. Bowl games often hinge on moments rather than stretches of play, and Arizona came up just short in those moments.
Still, the performance reflected progress. Competing toe-to-toe with SMU on a national stage suggested a foundation upon which Arizona can build, even if the immediate result was disappointing.
As the 2026 bowl season moved deeper into January, the Holiday Bowl once again delivered a game worthy of its reputation. Set against the backdrop of San Diego’s coastline, Arizona and SMU provided a contest defined by balance, tension, and late drama.
When the night ended at Snapdragon Stadium, the Southern Methodist Mustangs stood victorious, 24–19, having navigated pressure and preserved their lead. The result added another memorable chapter to the Holiday Bowl’s history, one shaped not by spectacle alone, but by execution when it mattered most.
In the end, it was a reminder of what makes bowl season endure: meaningful games, narrow margins, and moments that linger long after the final whistle.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over two decades, and has been covering NCAA football, including various Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, SEC, Mountain West, Pacific-12, and Big Sky conference member institutions, since 2007. Images taken by Jason Reed and Noel Danseco are ©2025 Jason Reed and Noel Danseco, separately and respectively, and have been made available to American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. Editorial use by American Presswire is unrestricted. Jason Reed can be found on X as @fieldofdd and on Instagram as @fieldofdaydreams. Noel Danseco can be found on Instagram as @drive_x_strike. Ahsan Awan can be found on X as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi. American Presswire can be found on X as @ampresswire and on Instagram as @ampresswire.