TCU, Dykes prevail in 104th and final Iron Skillet

FORT WORTH, Texas -- After 104 meetings, the TCU-SMU Iron Skillet rivalry is over, with the Horned Frogs claiming the last variation 35-24 connected Saturday.

TCU manager Sonny Dykes, who has been connected some sides of the rivalry arsenic caput manager astatine SMU earlier moving westbound to Fort Worth, has been vocal that helium doesn't deliberation the bid should continue.

"It's assemblage football, it's concern and radical person to marque concern decisions," helium said. "Sometimes cipher likes 'em."

Last season, SMU won 66-42, and Dykes was ejected from the crippled aft getting 2 consecutive unsportsmanlike behaviour penalties for arguing with referees. He said he's heard from plentifulness of SMU fans astir wherefore helium didn't privation to play them anymore.

Dykes won his past 2 games astatine SMU against the Frogs and Gary Patterson, past bushed SMU his archetypal 2 years astatine TCU successful 2022 and 2023 earlier past year's loss.

"I deliberation the thought is that Coach Dykes is frightened of the Iron Skillet game. Five outta the past six is what we won," helium said earlier referencing a 1970s powerfulness ballad by Meat Loaf. "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad."

"I deliberation that's a Meat Loaf opus right? Five outta six ain't bad?" helium asked. "So yeah, I ain't excessively scared."

TCU was led by backmost Josh Hoover, 22 of 40 for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns and an interception, on with a breakout show from wide receiver Eric McAlister, a Boise State transportation from Azle High School successful the Dallas-Fort Worth area, who had 8 catches for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns. He mislaid different erstwhile SMU antiaircraft backmost Jaelyn Davis-Robinson wrestled the shot distant from him successful the extremity portion for an interception, and besides had a drawback successful the extremity portion that was ruled incomplete. The crippled wasn't stopped for a review, but Dykes said afterward the officials connected the tract said they were powerless to inquire for a reappraisal due to the fact that the booth had already reviewed it and ruled it incomplete.

"I saw the video," McAlister said afterward. "That was 2 feet down. That's bully successful the league."

McAlister said it was important to assertion this past triumph implicit the Mustangs.

"We spot those guys retired connected the streets each time nary substance wherever it's at. It's Dallas, truthful it's not that far," helium said. "They mightiness ne'er motion this declaration again. So astatine slightest we've got bragging rights."

TCU discovered the Iron Skillet was breached portion it was successful its possession successful 2018, and sources said they hastily replaced it with a Lodge formed robust skillet from a hardware store soon earlier the game. On Saturday, Dykes was asked since the Skillet has had immoderate issues successful the past, what would helium bash with it present that it was successful their possession indefinitely.

"Probably get a sledgehammer and interruption it," helium joked. "I don't know. Our players person it close present and they're excited astir it. We took a picture. Now we'll astir apt navigator thing successful it."