T.J. Harden ran for 2 touchdowns, Kevin Jennings amassed 278 yards by means of the air and SMU defeated No. 17 Arizona 24-19 to win the Vacation Bowl on Friday night time in San Diego.
SMU (9-4) was forward 24-0 at halftime and needed to overcome Jennings’ three second-half interceptions to select up its first bowl win since 2012. Yamir Knight led all receivers with seven catches for 104 yards within the win.
Noah Fifita led Arizona’s comeback efforts going 28-of-43 passing for 265 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He was additionally the sport’s main rusher with 73 yards on 13 makes an attempt, however the Wildcats (9-4) noticed their five-game profitable streak come to an finish.
Every of the Mustangs’ first two possessions after halftime resulted in third-down interceptions. The primary, by Michael Dansby at his personal 4-yard line, arrange Arizona for a 15-play, 96-yard drive. Fifita hit Javin Whatley for a 28-yard landing with 2:37 left within the third, however the two-point conversion failed.
Arizona received one other interception however turned it over on downs. Nevertheless, the Wildcats compelled a three-and-out and later scored on fourth-and-2 from the ten when Fifita hit Tre Spivey ultimately zone. Fifita’s two-point go was knocked down, leaving it 24-12.
SMU was driving to bleed the fourth-quarter clock, however Arizona linebacker Riley Wilson dropped into zone protection and Jennings threw straight to him with lower than 5 minutes to play.
4 performs later, nonetheless, Fifita’s go was batted on the line and Alexander Kilgore intercepted it for SMU.
Nonetheless, Arizona compelled a punt for yet another probability, and Fifita linked with Cameron Barmore on third-and-10 from the 15 for a landing with 33 seconds left. However the Wildcats couldn’t get well the onside kick essential to proceed their rally.
On the sport’s second play from scrimmage, Jennings lofted a go to a wide-open Matthew Hibner down the fitting sideline and the tight finish raced towards the objective line earlier than being marked down on the 1 for an 80-yard pitch and catch. Harden adopted along with his first landing of the sport.
The Mustangs doubled their lead earlier than the quarter ended. Arizona dedicated go interference on a third-and-9 incompletion to provide SMU new life. Harden ran it in from the three on the subsequent play.
The following SMU possession was a 16-play, 94-yard march. Tight finish Stone Eby had an 18-yard catch on the drive earlier than he lined up as a fullback and pushed in a 1-yard landing.
Sam Keltner’s 24-yard area objective within the closing minute of the half made it 24-0 at intermission.
–Discipline Degree Media
