TCU-SMU 2025 Game Photos

Photos by Tom C. "Midnite" Burke

(photos above and below) TCU closed out the non-conference portion of its 2025 season when it hosted the SMU Mustangs of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on Saturday, September 20, in Amon G. Carter Stadium, on the TCU campus in Fort Worth, Texas. The Horned Frogs defeated the Mustangs 35-24 in the last-scheduled "Battle for the Iron Skillet." The win vaulted TCU into 24th place in the week 5 Associated Press top 25 ranking and into 25th place in the week 5 Coaches top 25 ranking. This was the 104th Battle for the Iron Skillet. The Horned Frogs hold a 54-43-7 edge over the Mustangs in a series that began with a 43-0 TCU win in Fort Worth in 1915. The Frogs are 30-20-5 versus SMU in Fort Worth and 24-23-2 versus the Mustangs in Dallas. TCU has won 14 of the last 18 games and 20 of the past 25 games against SMU. The Battle for the Iron Skillet is the third-oldest rivalry game involving a pair of Texas FBS schools, trailing only Texas-Texas A&M (1894) and TCU-Baylor (1899). The Horned Frogs have gone  undefeated in non-conference play for the first time since 2022 and for the third time in the past 10 seasons (2017, 2022). TCU has started a season 3-0 for the first time since 2022 and for the third time since 2017. The announced attendance for this historic game, which kicked off at 11 am (Central), was 43,333, which included a student attendance of 6,736, which is the largest student crowd in program history.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker (pictured above with TCU's Super Frog) and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson made a friendly wager on the last scheduled football game between TCU and SMU. Since TCU won, Mayor Parker won the bet, so Mayor Johnson will donate to Fort Worth’s “Good Natured Initiative,” which works to preserve, protect and expand Fort Worth’s natural heritage and green spaces. IF SMU had won and Mayor Johnson had won the wager, Mayor Parker would have donated to the Trust for Public Land’s “Greener Dallas Greater Dallas” campaign.

This year, the “Battle for the Iron Skillet” had a little extra meaning, and not just because it was the last scheduled meeting between TCU and SMU. It also was because it was being played in honor of a fan of both teams. Lila Bonner, one of the Camp Mystic girls who died in the tragic Central Texas floods on July 4, loved both the Mustangs and the Horned Frogs because she grew up in a house divided. Her father is a TCU alum. Her mother graduated from SMU. SMU and TCU posted a united message to social media the week of the game in honor of Lila, highlighting her organization, “Lila's Light.” She loved animals and donations will go to help animals impacted by natural disasters. Read more here.

Halftime of the TCU-SMU game featured the TCU Block T Hall of Fame recognition. The nine Hall of Fame inductees: Julien Brun 2015 (men's golf); Matt Carpenter 2009 (baseball); Whitney Gipson 2012 (track & field); Preston Morrison 2015 (baseball); Glen Norris 1978 (track & field); head coach Gary Patterson (football); Charles Silmon 2014 (track & field); head coach Richard Sybesma (swimming and diving); and Jason Verrett 2013 (football). The newly Hall of Famers received standing ovations. Patterson and Sybesma received the longest and loudest ovations. Patterson spent 24 years as a TCU coach for the football team, serving as defensive coordinator from 1998-2000, then as head football coach from 2000-21. He set the TCU all-time football head coaching record with 181 wins; 72 more than Dutch Meyer, who ranks second on the list. Patterson won 22 national coach-of-the-year honors and posted 10 seasons with 11 wins or more. He guided the Horned Frogs to six conference championships, while mentoring 263 all-conference selections, 21 first team all-Americans and 55 NFL Draft picks. Sybesma, who retired in 2017, is the longest tenured head coach for any sport at TCU. He spent 38 years at the helm of the swimming and diving program. The Horned Frogs won seven team conference championships and 16 individual league titles under Sybesma. He produced seven national champions, 18 all-Americans and four Olympians. He is a five-time conference coach-of-the-year.

TCU Hall of Famer Richard Sybesma (giving the Frog hand sign) spent 38 years at the helm of TCU's swimming and diving program before recently reitiring.

(photos above and below) Former Horned Frogs football player and TCU Hall of Famer Jason Verrett (right) shows his enthusiasm for former TCU head football coach Gary Patterson being introduced during the TCU-SMU game as a new TCU Hall of Famer. Patterson received a loud and long standing ovation from TCU fans. Patterson set the TCU all-time football head coaching record with 181 wins; 72 more than Dutch Meyer, who ranks second on the list.

New Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia was featured in the TCU Riff-Ram video played during the TCU-SMU game. Garcia is a former Dallas Police Chief. He now can root for the winning team -- the Horned Frogs!

The TCU Hypnotoad made another appearance at Amon G. Carter Stadium during the TCU-SMU game.

TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes (left) visits with SMU head football coach Rhett Lashlee prior to kickoff of the TCU-SMU football game. Prior to becoming head coach of the Horned Frogs, Dykes was SMU's head football coach.

God bless America!

(photos above and below) Here come the Horned Frogs!

(photos above and below) Here come the Mustangs!

TCU's captains for the SMU game were (from left to right): Devean Deal (#11); Coltin Deery (#51); Chase Curtis (#81); and Josh Hoover (#10). The Honorary captain was Rick Flanagan, who played for the Frogs in  1975-76. 

Against SMU, the Horned Frogs had another impressive offensive performance. TCU scored five touchdowns and racked up 517 total yards of offense: 138 rushing yards and 379 passing yards. TCU has scored in 410 consecutive games, the second longest streak in NCAA history, trailing only Florida (464 consecutive games).

TCU offensive linemen Carson Bruno (left, #62) and Coltin Deery (#51) signal a first down for TCU. The Horned Frogs' offense accumulated 24 first downs against the Mustangs. TCU converted nine-of-17 third-down plays and three-of-four fourth-down plays.

TCU junior quarterback Josh Hoover (#10) wasn't as sharp against SMU as he was in TCU's first two games, as he completed only 22-of-40 passes. But he passed for 379 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. He was intercepted once and sacked two times. Hoover ranks No. 1 nationally in passing yards per game (333) and touchdown passes per game (3.67).

 

 

TCU senior wide receivers Joseph Manjack IV (#14) and Eric McAlister (#1) celebrate during TCU's 35-24 win over SMU. Manjack and McAlister were two of six different receivers to catch a pass in the game against SMU. TCU has had at least six receivers catch a pass for 44 consecutive games, dating back to Iowa State on November 26, 2021.

TCU senior wide receiver Eric McAlister (#1) battles SMU cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson (#13) for the football. McAlister had a breakout game against the Mustangs and Davis-Robinson. McAlister caught eight passes for 254 yards, the second most receiving yardage in a single game for TCU all-time (13 yards short of Josh Doctson’s program record of 267 receiving yards at Texas Tech in 2015). McAlister had three touchdown receptions and a long catch of 70 yards. McAlister's performance earned his Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors from the Big 12 Conference.

(photos above and below) TCU senior wide receiver Eric McAlister's first touchdown reception against SMU came in the first quarter, on a 27-yard pass from quarterback Josh Hoover, despite the jersey-ripping efforts of SMU cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robison (#13) and the pursuit of SMU safety Ahmaad Moses (#3).

(photos above and below) In the fourth quarter, TCU senior wide receiver Eric McAlister (#1) caught a pass from quarterback Josh Hoover and turned it into a 70-yard touchdown, his second of the game. The touchdown erased a three-point SMU lead (24-21), as the Horned Frogs seized a 28-24 lead and went on to a 35-24 victory. 

(photos above and below) TCU senior wide receiver Eric McAlister's third touchdown of TCU's 35-24 victory over SMU came about midway through the fourth quarter. It was the Frogs' final touchdown and sealed their victory. McAlister scored the 44-yard touchdown despite the efforts of SMU cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robison (#13) and SMU safety Jaylen Moses (#27).

(photos above and below) TCU senior wide receiver Erick McAlister (#1) could have had more receiving yardage and four touchdown receptions in the win over SMU, but this acrobatic touchdown catch was ruled out of bounds. Replays broadcast in the stadium showed that the catch and touchdown should have been ruled good. The game's officiating crew said that league review of the play confirmed the call on the field that the catch was made out of bounds. 

(photos above and below) Against SMU, TCU senior wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV (#14) caught three passes for 15 yards, despite the defensive efforts of Mustangs safety Isaiah Nwokobia (#23) and linebacker Alexander Kilgore (#54). In the third quarter, Manjack caught a four-yard touchdown pass, his first TCU career receiving touchdown.

(photos above and below) Against SMU's defense, including cornerback Marcellus Barnes, Jr. (#8) and linebacker Justin Medlock (#20), TCU junior wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (#7) caught three passes for 32 yards. He had a long reception of 14 yards.

(photos above and below) TCU senior tight end DJ Rogers (#0) caught three passes for 31 yards in TCU's 35-24 victory over SMU, despite the defense of safety Jaden Milliner-Jones (#11), linebacker Brandon Booker (#28) and safety Isaiah Nwokobia (#23). Rogers had a long reception of 14 yards.

(photos above and below) TCU sophomore running back Jeremy Payne (#26) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter of the Frogs' win over SMU and linebacker Alexander Kilgore (#54). Payne had three catches for 29 yards against the Mustangs.

(photos above and below) TCU sophomore running back Jeremy Payne (#26) rushed 12 times for 53 yards against SMU corner back Marcellus Barnes, linebacker Justin Medlock (#20) and linebacker Brandon Miyazono (#29). He averaged 4.4 yards per carry. He had a long run of 22 yards.

(photos above and below) TCU sophomore running back Jeremy Payne (#26) had 82 total offensive yards and one touchdown in TCU's 35-24 win over SMU. Payne had 53 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards. He also had a receiving touchdown.

(photos above and below) TCU senior running back Trent Battle (#6) was TCU's leading rusher in its 35-24 victory over SMU and safety Ahmaad Moses (#3), defensive tackle Mike Lockhart (#9) and linebacker Brandon Miyazono (#29). Battle ran seven times for 60 yards. He averaged 8.6 yards per carry and had a long run of 27 yards. 

TCU's lone offensive failure in its victory over SMU was a missed 47-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Nate McCashland (#99).

TCU's leading rusher, senior Kevorian Barnes (#2) did not play against SMU. He suffered a lower body injury in TCU's second game of the season, a 42-21 win over Abilene Christian University. Also on the sideline with an injury was senior cornerback Avery Helm (#24). Barnes also has been ruled out of TCU's next game, which will be against Arizona State, on Friday, September 26, in Tempe, Arizona. Barnes leads TCU with 156 yards rushing and averages 7.4 yards per carry.

(photos above and below). TCU's defense gave up 384 total yards (94 rushing yards and 290 passing yards) to SMU, but only three touchdowns and one field goal. The Mustangs' three touchdowns came through the air.

TCU sophomore safety Kylin Jackson (#19) tackles SMU running back Chris Johnson, Jr. (#6). Jackson and TCU's defense held Johnson to 19 yards on five carries. 

TCU sophomore safety Kylin Jackson (#19) pressures SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (#7). Jackson had five tackles and .5 tackles for loss against the Mustangs. 

TCU senior cornerback Jevon McIver (#20) breaks up a pass intended for SMU receiver Jordan Hudson (#2), who used to be a Horned Frog. With seven tackles, McIvor was the Frogs' second-leading tackler in their 35-24 win over the Mustangs.

TCU senior linebacker Namdi Obiazor (#4) looks to defend a pass during TCU's "Battle for the Iron Skillet" game with SMU. Obiazor had five tackles against the Mustangs.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (#7) barely gets off a pass before being met by TCU senior linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr (#3). Orr led the Frogs with eight tackles. He had two tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries against the Mustangs.

(photos above and below) TCU junior defensive end Paul Oweyale (#97) sacks SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (#7). Oweyale also had a tackle for a loss in the game against the Mustangs.

TCU senior safety Bud Clark (#21) breaks up a pass intended for SMU wide receiver Yamir Knight (#8). Clark was credited with two pass breakups in the Horned Frogs' 35-24 win over the Mustangs.

TCU senior safety Bud Clark (#21) tackles SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (#7). Clark had four tackles against the Mustangs. 

TCU senior defensive end Devean Deal (#11) pressures SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (#7). Against the Mustangs, Deal had two tackles. 

TCU senior defensive end Devean Deal (#11) celebrates a TCU sack of SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (#7). The TCU defense sacked Jennings twice.

TCU junior safety Jamel Johnson (#2) tackles SMU running back TJ Harden (#27), who was held by the TCU defense to 56 yards on 15 carries. 

(photos above and below) TCU junior safety Jamel Johnson (#2) twice intercepted SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings in TCU's 35-24 victory over the Mustangs. Jennings' second interception came late in the fourth quarter and essentially sealed TCU's win. Johnson also had six tackles against the Ponies. Johnson's performance earned him Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors from the Big 12 Conference.

TCU senior safety Bud Clark (#21) celebrates with junior safety Jamel Johnson (#2), who had two interceptions and six tackles in TCU's 35-24 win over SMU. Clark had four tackles.

(photos above and below) SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (#7) completed 24-of-38 passes for 290 yards against TCU. He threw three touchdown passes and two interceptions. He was sacked twice. 

SMU tight end RJ Maryland (#82) catches a pass from SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, despite the efforts of TCU junior Safety Jamel Johnson (#2), who appears to be praying that he is able to provide better pass coverage against the Mustangs.

SMU wide receiver Romello Brinson (#3) celebrates SMU tight end Matthew Hibner (#88) catching a touchdown pass, despite the efforts of TCU senior cornerback Channing Canada (#7) and TCU senior safety Bud Clark (#21). 

SMU wide receiver Yamir Kniht (#8) beats the coverage of TCU senior safety Bud Clark and catches a seven-yard touchdown pass from SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings in the third quarter of TCU's 35-24 victory.

SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson (#2), who used to be a Horned Frog before he became a Mustang, runs past TCU senior safety Bud Clark for a 34-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter of the Ponies'35-24 loss to TCU.

(photos above and below) SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson (#2) catches a pass and runs for a first down against TCU senior linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr (#3) and sophomore cornerback Vernon Glover, Jr. (#26). Against TCU, Hudson, who is a former Horned Frog, caught three passes for 62 yards and one touchdown. He had a long reception of 34 yards. 

SMU wide receiver Romello Brinson (#3) catches a pass beyond the defensive coverage of TCU senior cornerback Channing Canada (#7). 

(photos above and below) SMU wide receiver Romello Brinson (#3) caught four passes for 51 yards against coverage provided by a variety of TCU defenders, including senior linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr (#3) and sophomore safety Kylin Jackson (#19).

(photos above and below) Against the Horned Frogs, SMU running back TJ Harden (#27) rushed 15 times for 56 yards. He also caught three passes for 31 yards. 

SMU running back Chris Johnson, Jr. (#6) ran five times for 19 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards in a losing effort against the Horned Frogs. 

SMU cornerback Marcellus Barnes, Jr. (#8), breaks up a pass intended for TCU junior wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (#7). 

SMU safety Isaiah Nwokobia (#23) tackles TCU running back Jeremy Payne (#26). SMU's defense held Payne to 53 yards on 12 carries.

SMU cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson (#13) intercepted a pass from TCU quarterback Josh Hoover that was intended for TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister (#1) in the SMU end zone. 

SMU defensive end Cameron Robertson (#9) pressures TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (#10).

SMU safety Ahmaad Moses (#3) uses a strong hand to stop TCU running back Major Everhart (#3).

(photos above and below) SMU defensive end Cameron Robertson (#9) sacks TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (#10). Against the Frogs, Robertson had six tackles, .5 tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup.  

With a little help from his friends, TCU quarterback Josh Hoover was able to get up off the turf the two times he was sacked by SMU's defense.

TCU players celebrate with TCU students the Horned Frogs' 35-24 victory over rival SMU. The announced attendance for the game was 43,333, which included a student attendance of 6,736, which is the largest student crowd in program history.

To the victor goes the spoils, as TCU senior safety Austin Jordan (#1) hoists the Iron Skillet, which goes to the winner of the TCU-SMU game. 

TCU junior safety Jamel Johnson (#2) walks off the field with the Iron Skillet. The skillet will be staying with the Horned Frogs for the foreseeable future. This year's TCU-SMU game was the last one scheduled between the two longtime, bitter rivals.

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TCU's next game is its Big 12 conference-opener, against Arizona State, in Tempe, Arizona, on Friday, September 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 pm (Central). FOX Sports is televising the game. Arizona State is 3-1 overall, 1-0 in the Big 12. The game will mark the third time the two programs have met, the first time since 1975, when TCU lost 33-10 in Fort Worth. Arizona State also won the first game, 37-7, in Tempe, in 1974.

TCU's next home game is against the University of Colorado and their head coach, Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, on Saturday, October 4, in Amon G. Carter Stadium, on the TCU campus. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 pm (Central). FOX Sports will broadcast the game. This will be the third meeting all-time between the Horned Frogs and the Buffaloes. TCU won the initial meeting, 38-13, in Boulder, in 2022. Colorado defeated TCU, 45-42, in Fort Worth, in 2023, when Sanders made his head coaching debut with Colorado and the Buffaloes made their Big 12 debut.