FORT WORTH, TX – A poor TCU (2-1) performance leads to a 42-34 loss in Fort Worth this afternoon to SMU (4-0). The battle for the Iron Skillet ends in a victory for the Mustangs and the skillet will remain in Dallas.
TCU took their first loss of the season and it all started with their defense.
The defense was nowhere to be found in the first quarter, let alone the rest of the game. Both teams combined for 28 points in the first seven minutes of the game and it all started with SMU’s 68-yard rushing touchdown by Danny Gray. The Mustangs scored in the first 50 seconds of the game and it didn’t end there.
TCU was not the only one that didn’t show up to play defense in the first quarter. Four minutes after SMU’s quick touchdown, Kendre Miller ran the ball in for a 20-yard TCU touchdown putting TCU on top by one.
SMU’s offense comes back out for another incredible series. They started the series out with a 46-yard run by Tra Siggers to the TCU 29. Tanner Mordecai handed the ball to Siggers yet again and he ran for another 10-yards. At the 4-yard line Mordecai took care of the rest and ran in for a 4-yard touchdown. They finished the series off with a successful two point conversion from Terrance Newman.
And the offense continued to rally for both teams, TCU got the ball back and Duggan drilled a 60-yard pass to Taye Barber. Darius Davis finishes it off with a 13-yard rushing touchdown tying the game 14-14 with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.
All that scoring and we still had half of the first quarter left to go.
TCU’s defense finally comes to life after Dee Winters interception at the 47-yard line on SMU’s third down and the momentum for the defense started to pick up after that. That was Mordecai’s first interception of the season.
TCU got the ball back at the 47-yard line and Zach Evans was ready to rumble. Evans ran for 27-yards. The Horned Frogs came up short for the first down and were forced to kick a field goal. The 38-yard field goal was unsuccessful.
TCU’s defense stopped SMU the next two series and TCU’s offense started to kick up. Evans had a 46-yard touchdown with 13:30 left in the half putting TCU on top 21-14.
And once again TCU’s defense let everyone down. Mordecai hits a wide open Reggie Roberson Jr for a 29-yard touchdown and just like that it’s all tied up again.
Both teams went into the half break even at 21-21.
SMU came out of the half and did not led up one bit. The Mustangs took advantage of Duggan’s fumble at the 3-yard line and scored a touchdown going up 28-21.
TCU answered with a field goal, making the score 28-24 with 10:40 minutes remaining in the game. There was still a lot of game time left and TCU still had life. That changed quickly.
SMU went on to score two more touchdowns and TCU scored one.
SMU’s rush offense was the difference in this game. The Mustangs ran for 350 total yards. They were led by Ulysses Bentley IV with 153 yards rushing and Tre Siggers with 110 yards rushing.
SMU ended the day with 595 yards of total offense and TCU ended the night with 446 total yards of offense.
Defense was the name of the game today, and TCU did not come out ready to play.
The Horned Frogs will be back in Amon G. Carter Stadium next Saturday to take on the Texas Longhorns. Kickoff is set for 11:00 A.M. and will be televised on ABC.
KEY PLAYERS :
TCU :
Max Duggan converted 16 of 28 passes for 276 yards for three touchdowns.
Zach Evans led with 113 yards rushing for 15 carries.
Taye Barber led with 110 yards receiving for 5 catches and 1 touchdown.
SMU :
Tanner Mordecai converted on 17 of 28 passes for 245 yards for four touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
Ulysses Bentley IV led with 153 yards rushing for 20 carries and one touchdown.
Tre Siggers had 110 yards rushing for 18 carries.
Danny Gray led with 153 yards receiving for 4 catches and a touchdown.
