While the Holiday Bowl may have not ended the way Arizona wanted it to, Wildcat Nation got some relief after the game as the program turns the page on the 2025 season. Following a 24-19 loss to SMU in the Holiday Bowl, Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita confirmed he will return to Tucson for his senior season in 2026.
In the moments leading up to kickoff, Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft said Fifita declined to answer when asked if he was returning to the UA for his senior season. During Friday’s postgame press conference, Fifita cleared the air.
“We’ve got unfinished business. I’m coming back,” said Fifita.
Fifita just wrapped up one of the best seasons in program history. With his three touchdown passes in the Holiday Bowl, Fifita holds the single-season touchdown passing record with 29 touchdowns on the year, passing the school record held by Nick Foles, Anu Solomon, and Willie Tuitama. He also holds the program’s all-time passing record with 73 touchdowns, a mark he broke in the Wildcats’ upset win over No. 25 Cincinnati as part of a 5-game win streak to end the regular season.
He became just the third quarterback in school history to earn First-Team All-Conference honors, the first since the 1970s.
“I love this team, I love these coaches, and best believe when we get back in two weeks Team 123 is going to get to work to win a Big 12 title,” Fifita said.
[…] QB Noah Fifita […]
[…] Quarterback Noah Fifita has already confirmed he is returning for his senior season, and will have the same offensive coordinator for the first time in his career with Seth Doege. After guiding Arizona to a Top 20 defense and the nation’s best turnover margin, Danny Gonzales is also set to return. […]