(Sports Network) – Andy Dalton shook off a rough start and led three touchdown drives in the second half, as No. 4 TCU broke away from a close game at the half to post a 41-24 win over SMU in a matchup of non- conference rivals at Ford Stadium.
Dalton was picked off twice, inside two minutes left in the first half and on the opening series of the second half, leading to 10 Mustang points and a 17-14 lead a minute into the third quarter.
The Horned Frogs (4-0) rallied for 27 points in the last 29 minutes with Dalton tossing a go-ahead 11-yard touchdown to Bart Johnson and Waymon James tacking on one of his two rushing touchdowns on the next possession.
Luke Shivers helped put the game away with a score on the second play of the fourth quarter for TCU, which extended its regular-season win streak to 18 games.
Kyle Pardon was 14-of-35 for 169 yards and two touchdowns for the Mustangs (2-2), who were coming off back-to-back wins over UAB and Washington State.
Zach Line racked up 139 rushing yards on 17 touches. He scored a 29-yard touchdown with over 11 minutes still to play for an 11-point game, but Pardon was picked off on the next series and Tejay Johnson took it 19 yards the other way for six points.