TCU Football: SMU Players to Watch

Key players from the Mustangs to watch when they take on the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday.

SMU Athletics

The TCU Horned Frogs take on the SMU Mustangs in the Battle of the Iron Skillet on Saturday, September 24. Here are some key players on the SMU team that TCU fans should know before the game.

QB #8 Tanner Mordecai

Four-star Quarterback from Waco, Texas. Senior

Tanner Mordecai is a 6-3 214 lb. quarterback transfer from Oklahoma, playing his second season at SMU. Mordecai has proven he has an arm and can destroy defenses. Currently, he is third in total passing yards at 1,013 and fourth in passing touchdowns with ten touchdown throws. He has thrown three interceptions, which is typical for a quarterback who throws the ball as much as he does. These are some impressive numbers. Mordecai is on watch lists for many awards this season, and his starting numbers tell you why. TCU should look for Mordecai to throw a lot. The Frogs' defense will have to stay on his receivers and put a lot of pressure on him to succeed in this game. 

Tanner Mordecai	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Attempts	4	26	40	454	117
Completions	2	16	32	308	70
Completion %	50%	61.5%	80%	67.8%	59.8%
Yards	37	207	395	3,628	1,013
Average	9.3	8.0	9.9	8.0	8.7
Touchdowns	0	2	2	39	10
Interceptions	0	0	1	12	3
Long	33	40	33	68	75
Sacks	0	0	2	16	3
Ratings	127.7	153.8	174.4	158.0	155.6

Let’s Ride! #PonyUp pic.twitter.com/jyR9TVYG8c

— Tanner Mordecai (@t_mordecai) December 22, 2020

RB #25 TJ McDaniel

Three-star Running Back from Southlake, Texas. Sophomore

McDaniel is coming off a season-ending injury last season and has started his season off pretty strong, recording 156 yards on 24 attempts with two touchdowns. Even though SMU is a pass-heavy offense, McDaniel and Tre Siggers still play a vital part in their offense, keeping defenses on their heels. The Frogs need to be very careful and keep McDaniel running up the middle and not let him escape to the outside lanes because his speed kills defenses on the outside. 

TJ McDaniel	2019	2020	2022
Rushing Attempts	41	60	24
Rushing Yards	236	297	156
Rushing Average	5.8	4.9	6.5
Rushing Touchdowns	3	1	2
Rushing Long	48	23	57

.@RUN_MCD turned on the burners! 💨#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/dFvcnBD6Of

— SMU Football (@SMUFB) September 11, 2022

RB #4 Tre Siggers

Three-star Running Back from Duncanville, Texas. Senior

Siggers is a 5-9 204 lb. running back who provides a much different running style from his teammate TJ McDaniel. Tre Siggers prefers to bulldoze up the middle picking up needed yards, likely near the end zone or on third downs. He has rushed for 140 yards on 31 carries with a touchdown this season. TCU needs to be prepared for both running styles, or the SMU duo could be problematic for them.

Tre Siggers	2019	2020	2021	2022
Rushing Attempts	152	85	147	31
Rushing Yards	853	458	727	140
Rushing Average	5.6	5.4	4.9	4.5
Rushing Touchdowns	6	1	9	1
Rushing Long	53	26	46	13

WR #11 Rashee Rice

Three-star Wide Receiver from North Richland Hills, Texas. Senior

The 6-2 203 lb. receiver has significantly impacted this pass-heavy SMU offense. Rice has a good connection with his quarterback Tanner Mordecai. Rice has caught 28 catches for 491 yards and three touchdowns. Rice is good at finding the end zone and is a perfect route runner. TCU's secondary needs to keep a sharp eye on where he is on the field and who he is matched against to slow SMU's pass game down. He is also the nations leading receiver currently.

Rashee Rice	2019	2020	2021	2022
Receptions	25	48	64	28
Yards	403	683	670	491
Average	16.1	14.2	10.5	17.5
Touchdowns	1	5	9	3
Long	61	55	62	54

*ahem* pic.twitter.com/4fPix73TlP

— SMU Football (@SMUFB) September 19, 2022

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