The 15th-ranked TCU Horned Frogs moved to 4-0 on the year with a 24-16 win over the SMU Mustangs on a rain-soaked field in Dallas on Saturday night.
TCU reclaimed the rivalry's Iron Skillet by cashing in on SMU turnovers and taking advantage of short fields. The Mustangs committed six turnovers, including five interceptions thrown by Garrett Gilbert. TCU built a 14-0 first-quarter lead after Zach Line fumbled at midfield, and TCU quarterback Casey Pachall later connected with LaDarius Brown for a ten-yard touchdown pass.
The second score of the first frame came when the Horned Frogs returned a Gilbert interception inside SMU's ten yard line and converted it into a touchdown. Skye Dawson also returned a punt for 64 yards late in the first half, which set TCU up with a four-yard field.
SMU had a major chance to get back into the game with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter when TCU's punter bobbled a snap, which gave the Mustangs a three-yard field. But the Frogs turned SMU away with no points. That sequence repeated itself again with about two minutes left, and SMU was able to score that time around, but they didn't have enough time left to make it a game.
The overall sloppy night ended with SMU outgaining TCU in total yards 220-156.
Box Score Hero: WR Skye Dawson, TCU. The numbers were horrible for both teams, so Dawson's 64-yard punt return stands out both statistically and in significance to the outcome of the game.
Rankings Ramifications: TCU should be able to stay pat around the ranking of 15 it enjoyed before the game.
But Did They Cover? The Horned Frogs were 14-point favorites and did not cover.
For More On This Game: Visit the TCU blog Frogs O War.
Next Week's Schedule: TCU gets back into Big 12 play by hosting Iowa State, while SMU travels to UTEP.
This story was originally published on SB Nation.com.
