The door has officially closed on the Arizona Wildcats’ 2025 season. But as the old saying goes, don’t be sad because it’s over, smile because it happened. As we turn the page on Team 122 and shift our attention to the offseason, check out our five reactions and takeaways from the Arizona Wildcats’ 24-19 loss to SMU in the Holiday Bowl.
1) Opt-outs impact on the game
Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, and Genesis Smith have been stalwarts of the Wildcats’ defense – not just this season, but for the better part of the 2020 decade. The trio of defensive backs combined for 6,700 snaps during their careers in Tucson. So when the news broke that the three leaders would not suit up for the Holiday Bowl, it was certainly a blow, both to the players and staff, as well as the fans that made the trip to San Diego.
And while it gave Brent Brennan, Danny Gonzales, and the defensive staff a chance to see what the future of the secondary will look like, it certainly had an impact on the game. SMU attacked Arizona’s inexperience and youth right out of the gate, needing just three plays and 68 seconds to march 83 yards down the field to take a 7-0 lead, setting the tone for at least the first half. But perhaps lost in the loss, true freshmen Dajon Hinton and Coleman Patmon, who made their first career starts, as well as redshirt sophomore Gavin Hunter, played valiantly.
For Treydan Stukes, the decision makes sense. Coming off a season-ending knee injury in 2024, the sixth-year senior’s final season in Tucson was the best of career, earning First-Team All-Big 12, AP Second-Team All-Big 12, and AP Third-Team All-American honors. Stukes made it through the season healthy and has a really chance of boosting his draft stock at the Senior Bowl at the end of January.
For Dalton Johnson and Genesis Smith however, the decision was a bit of a head-scratcher. Johnson has led the Wildcats in tackles in back-to-back seasons, and with his hard-hitting and ability to impact the game with turnovers, had a chance to elevate his draft stock with a strong out in San Diego. Johnson has accepted an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl, which could help boost his stock in the coming weeks and months, just as it did for former Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was the offensive MVP of the game a year ago.
Genesis Smith is the most puzzling of the three. He has the frame, upside, and athleticism to make it to the next level, but many, including ourselves, believe Smith was poised for a return to Tucson to lead the Wildcats opposite Noah Fifita.
Like Brent Brennan, we respect the “family decisions” all three players made and will always be grateful for the leadership and service, both on and off the field, Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, and Genesis made at Arizona. All three have NFL potential, but missed an opportunity to finish our their careers and ride off into the sunset one last time with a victory, and loaded up turnover sword, as the Wildcat legends they are.
2) Head-scratching play-calling and decision making down the stretch:
While Arizona’s play-calling has been leaps and bounds better than it was a season ago under Seth Doege and Danny Gonzales, Friday felt like a step backwards, particularly in critical situations on offense. There were times where a handoff to Quincy Craig on third-and-short just didn’t make sense, but where we really had concerns were on the two-point conversion attempts and the decision to go for it on 4th down in the red zone instead of kicking a field goal. Why? Because Arizona lost to SMU by five points, the margin if Arizona had kicked two PATs and a field goal.
While we’re generally proponents of being aggressive, the decision to chase two-point conversions while trailing by as many 24 points was puzzling. After scoring two of the three second half touchdowns, it also took some of the life and momentum out of the team. It’s never healthy to play the “what-if” game, but if the Wildcats had tempered their aggressiveness, who knows, it could have Brent Brennan doused in eggnog after the Holiday Bowl.
3) Second half rally was commendable on both sides of the ball
While the first half of the Holiday Bowl can only be described as forgettable, with the SMU Mustang Band’s “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” still ringing in our ears, the second half was a complete 180. The Wildcats’ defense pitched a shutout in the second half, holding the Mustangs to just 64 yards of total offense after giving up over 300 in the first half. Offensively, Noah Fifita tossed three touchdowns, setting the school’s single-season passing touchdown record with 29 touchdowns, giving Arizona a fighting chance until the final moments of the game.
While a 10-win season would have been historic and an excellent way to catapult Arizona into the offseason, Brent Brennan, Seth Doege, and Danny Gonzales can use the second half as a mini victory and should be encouraged by the fight the Wildcats showed until the end. Fifita would agree.
“We didn’t finish how we wanted to, but I love this team. This is probably the most fun I’ve had playing football, just because of the coaches, Coach Brennan, Coach Doege, and the players. At the end of the day, when you’re down 24-0, the only thing that gets you through the game, the only thing that allows you, gives you a chance to come back, is the love you have for each other. At halftime, we knew that we had 30 minutes left to play for each other. That’s what we did. Obviously, tonight didn’t go as expected, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. 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.”
Between the fight Arizona showed on both ends, the young secondary’s ability to settle into the game, and the Wildcats’ ability to make critical adjustments in the locker room, Brent Brennan and Co. should be encouraged with the core of their roster and staff heading into 2026.
4) Wildcat Nation showed up and showed out!
All week, San Diego was Wildcat Country! From the Band Bash at SeaWorld, to the pub crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter, to the Holiday Bowl 5K and parade, to the sendoff at the team hotel, to the game itself, Arizona fans took over America’s Finest City with impressive numbers.
At the game, even when the Wildcats trailed 24-0 at the half, Arizona fans were a big part of the second half rally, cheering, getting loud, and staying until the end of the game. With all the discussion and criticism about fans’ attendance at Arizona Stadium this season, Friday was a very encouraging sign of what the stands could look like at Casino Del Sol Stadium next year.
5) What’s next for the Wildcats?
This time a year ago, Brent Brennan was reassembling the coaching staff after speculation if he would remain at the helm of Arizona. Now, the Wildcats are coming off just the eighth nine-win season in program history, and there’s a lot to be excited about for Brent Brennan and Co.
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.
The Wildcats also have a much shorter mountain to scale with the transfer portal, after adding over 60 players from the portal and high school ranks a year ago.
For the first time since the 2023 season, Arizona will have continuity, consistency, and clarity heading into the 2026 season.