The battle of the Iron Skillet between SMU (0-3) and rival TCU (2-1) came down to a defensive showdown and key second half Mustang mistakes. The Horned Frogs were able to capitalize on these mistakes and pick a 17-6 victory.
TCU has dominated the three-year rivalry, outscoring the Mustangs by more than 100 points total.
Both teams combined for 12 consecutive punts in the first half. SMU had field position several times but could not convert for points, neither could TCU.
The Mustangs held the Frogs scoreless until 10:10 in the third quarter. TCU’s Nick Browne nailed a 48-yard field goal to take the lead 3-0.
Then TCU safety Jared Smitherman hit SMU tight end John Hampton, causing him to fumble at the 31-yard line.
Less than four plays later, Frogs quarterback Sean Stilley connected with La-Tarence Dunbar for a 28-yard touc-hdown and gained a 10-0 lead with 3:32 in the third quarter.
The Hor-ned Frogs put the game away when SMU came with a blitz leaving Dun-bar uncovered. Stilley hit Dunbar with a 64-yard touchdown pass with 11:43 remaining.
SMU avoided the shut-out when Mustang quarterback Tate Wallis connected with Cody Cardwell for a 40-yard pass setting the Mustangs up on the TCU 5-yard line. Pony running back Keylon Kincade picked up the one-yard touchdown, but kicker Trent Stephenson missed the extra point.
Kincade ended the game with 127 rushing yards on 36 carries, his third consecutive 100-yard game for SMU.
Wallis completed 9-21 passes for 101 yards and one interception for SMU.
The game ended with both teams combining for 19punts.
SMU’s next game is against Oklahoma State Univeristy in Stillwater, Okl. at 6 p.m.