SMU vs. TCU – 104th Battle for the Iron Skillet

Via @MustangWire

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 – 11 a.m. CT

Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, TX

TV: ESPN2 | Radio: The Ticket (KTCK 96.7 FM/1310 AM) | Sirius XM 382

Streaming: SMU App

Setting the Scene

SMU (2-1, ACC) travels to face rival TCU (2-0, Big 12) in the 104th edition of the Battle for the Iron Skillet.
SMU is coming off a 28–10 win at Missouri State, highlighted by:
- RB TJ Harden: 96 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns (5 total on the season, top 10 nationally).
- WR Key’Shawn Brinson: 314 receiving yards so far, top 10 nationally.
- WR/RS Yamir Knight: 107 all-purpose yards, his best game at SMU.
The Mustangs totaled 448 yards of offense and dominated defensively with 5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and a perfect 0-for-12 stop rate on third downs.

Won last 10 regular-season road games.
Six touchdown drives in 2025 have taken under two minutes.
Defense ranks first in FBS in defensive touchdowns (2) and turnovers gained (8).
QB Kevin Jennings: top 4 in the ACC in passing yards (836), yards per game (278.7), and efficiency (165.9).
RB TJ Harden: averaging 84.3 yards per game, 6.0 yards per carry, 5 total touchdowns.
WR Key’Shawn Brinson: leads ACC in receiving yards (314).
Head coach Rhett Lashlee: 31–13 career record, 21–3 in ACC play.

This is the 104th meeting, first played in 1915.
SMU won last season’s matchup 66–42, the highest-scoring game in series history.
The Iron Skillet tradition was revived in 1993 and remains the trophy for the winner each year.

Finished 2024 at 9–4, including 6–3 in Big 12 play.
Off to a 2–0 start in 2025 with wins over North Carolina (48–14) and Abilene Christian (42–21).
Head coach Sonny Dykes: 29–13 at TCU, 100–76 career record.