Rivals TCU, SMU square off for Iron Skillet

Field Level Media|published: Wed 18th September, 13:42 2024

Sep 23, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Trey Sanders (2) runs through the SMU Mustangs defensive line during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Longtime rivals and neighbors TCU and SMU will look to get back on the winning track when they meet Saturday afternoon in Dallas in the Battle for the Iron Skillet.

The schools, separated by 40 miles in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, will play for the 103rd time. TCU owns a 53-42-7 edge and has captured 13 of the past 16 contests, including the last two.

Both teams come into the game after home losses, with the Mustangs falling to BYU 18-15 on Sept. 7 and the Horned Frogs succumbing to UCF, 35-34, on Sept. 14 in their Big 12 Conference opener.

SMU (2-1) won its first two games before stumbling against BYU. The Mustangs managed just 261 yards of total offense in the loss and never reached the end zone, relying on Collin Rogers' five field goals for all their points.

Kevin Jennings passed for 140 yards with an interception for the Mustangs. Starting quarterback Preston Stone played just three series and passed for 4 yards while being sacked three times. Jennings will start on Saturday.

"This game is important to a lot of people but when it kicks off, it's another game," SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. "Fortunately, it's our fourth game and it's an opportunity for us go and play good football. We're gonna go out compete and try to play our best game of the year."

The Horned Frogs (2-1) led 28-7 over UCF early in the third quarter but could not stem a rousing comeback from the visiting Knights. UCF took the lead for good on a TD pass with 36 seconds to play, allowing TCU a final chance. But Kyle Lemmerman's 58-yard field-goal attempt drifted wide right.

Josh Hoover passed for 402 yards and four TDs against UCF, with Jack Beck catching nine passes for a career-high 200 yards and a touchdown.

TCU coach Sonny Dykes said the first half of the loss was the best his team has played all year.

"We didn't finish the game out, and I'm disappointed, but we will learn from that," Dykes said. "That game doesn't define who we are and who we are going to be. We have to look ahead and be at our best against SMU."

--Field Level Media

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