What Went Wrong For SMU In Iron Skillet Loss

After the 2023 edition went south, the Mustangs have lost the rivalry game in back-to-back years

To start Saturday's rivalry game in Fort Worth, the SMU Mustangs were contending well against crosstown rival TCU. However, once TCU settled in, the Horned Frogs put enough distance between themselves and their opponents to secure a 34-17 win.

"We felt like we belonged, but we didn't prove it. We didn't finish. We didn't sustain it," SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee told the media postgame.

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SMU did open the game with 3-0 lead after the opening drive. However, Lashlee lamented not being able to score a touchdown on the opening drive. The Mustangs drove to TCU's five-yard line, but settled for a 24-yard field goal.

SMU would find themselves down 14-3 before scoring their first touchdown. This came after drives that ended in a punt and a turnover on downs. Trailing 14-10 at the half, SMU then allowed TCU to build a 27-10 lead that lasted until there were less than two minutes remaining in the game. That's when SMU got their second touchdown of the game, which TCU immediately answered, giving us our final score

SMU quarterback Preston Stone also threw two interceptions on the day, one in the red zone. SMU would finish the day converting just five third downs in 15 attempts and one fourth down in three attempts. 

Both offensively and defensively, Lashlee noted his frustration with his team's red zone execution. The Mustangs scored on three of four red zone trips, but Lashlee noted he was hoping for more touchdowns, considering how quickly TCU can put up points. Defensively, SMU allowed TCU to score on four of five red zone trips, where the Horned Frogs scored two of their four touchdowns on the day.

"Offensively, we're not playing bad, but we're not playing good," Lashlee noted "We're moving the ball on just about anybody we play...but you can't win scoring 17 points, and you can't win if you only play between the 20 and 25-yard lines...We got to find a way to finish those drives."

The Mustangs are 2-2 to start the season after this loss and their Week Two loss to Oklahoma. Their wins came against Louisiana Tech and Prairie View. 

"This one's on me," Lashlee said. "I've got to find a way to get us in position to break through in these kind of games."

SMU's next chance to rectify the loss will be September 30 when they open conference play against Charlotte.