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The Southwest Conference was not a lot tightly knit because it was inextricably sure
by historical past and oil cash, grudges and household, and the very state itself. Every fall
Saturday for 82 years, the perfect of Texas and that one crew from Arkansas settled
in numerous components of the state to play for bragging rights. The traces of demarcation
weren’t the place you lived however moderately the place you went to highschool, the colours you wouldn’t
be caught useless in, and in case you had been Hook ’em or Gig ’em or prepared to combat ’em on
the ice.
Everybody thought-about all people else a rival, however Texas Christian University and Southern
Methodist University held one another specifically disdain. The rivalry marked as
a lot by yellow Corvettes and your willpower to pack a sack lunch, Amon Carter-style,
for any journey to Dallas because the outcomes on the scoreboard.
As the Frogs and Ponies put together to battle for the Iron Skillet (a “trophy” relationship
again to World War II) for the 104th time, and the final scheduled assembly for the foreseeable future, TCU News appears again
and displays on a few of the biggest matchups on this historic rivalry.
Known as “the Game of the Century,” the 1935 matchup featured an undefeated SMU and
TCU taking part in for a convention title, a spot within the Rose Bowl and an opportunity to compete
for the nationwide championship. So low stakes. Tied at 14 late into the fourth quarter,
a pretend punt for a landing ended up being the deciding rating for the Mustangs. Their
luck didn’t carry into the nationwide championship, nevertheless. SMU loss to Stanford and
TCU’s victory in opposition to LSU within the Sugar Bowl led to each groups claiming the nationwide
championship.
This iteration of the Iron Skillet had blowout vibes, SMU coming in undefeated and
ranked No. 3 within the nation in comparison with 4-5-1 TCU. The Frogs led till 25 seconds remained.
The Ponies scored and wanted solely to transform the additional level to increase their good
season to 10-0. Except the unthinkable occurred. Future Heisman-winner Doak Walker,
who already had rushed for 100 yards and scored two touchdowns, missed the additional level.
This tie relegated SMU to the Cotton Bowl and one other tie in opposition to Penn State.
The 1948 Iron Skillet passed off on the Cotton Bowl in entrance of 67,000 followers. Just
just like the earlier 12 months, SMU got here in with the higher file (9-1), greater expectations
and a now-Heisman winner in Walker. Different 12 months, similar ending. TCU led, SMU tied
it late, and the sport ended with no winner.
TCU was dangerous in 1997. Like actually dangerous. Like 0-10 dangerous. Like no person anticipated them to
beat SMU within the ultimate recreation of the season dangerous, and the Mustangs had been motivated by lastly
choosing up just a few wins and in search of their first bowl berth since receiving the “loss of life
penalty,” a catastrophic reprimand from the NCAA for getting gamers automobiles and different
dangerous conduct. It was to not be because the Horned Frogs scored 21 unanswered for the W,
giving them two wins—the primary and solely win of the season and denying their rivals
a bowl journey.
This was not simply any Iron Skillet win for the Frogs. It included numerous firsts
and bests and biggests, together with their first 10-win season since profitable the National
Championship in 1938, the biggest margin of victory within the rivalry ever, and LaDainian
Tomlinson reaching 2,158 yards on the season, which was the fourth-most all-time.
Adding insult to infamy was the Horned Frogs band spelling out “TCU” in fertilizer
on SMU’s new subject through the halftime present.
Revenge was a theme in numerous Iron Skillet video games, and 2012 particularly so after SMU
upset TCU in extra time the earlier 12 months. This simple with the Frogs leaping
to a giant lead, due to a pair of touchdowns from Matthew Tucker. But heavy rain
and solely 27 yards after halftime necessitated the most effective defensive performances
in Skillet historical past to seal the deal. The Horned Frog D delivered 5 interceptions,
together with two from future NFL pro-bowler Jason Verrett.
It nearly wasn’t honest, TCU’s fiery offense going up in opposition to an SMU protection that ranked
final within the nation getting into the sport. Almost. The Frogs completely destroyed the Ponies,
with quarterback Treyvon Boykin having a hand in a complete of six of the touchdowns
(4 by his arm and two by his legs). They carried that momentum into the Peach Bowl,
the place they dismantled Ole Miss to complete No. 3 within the nation.
If it’s important to return to the varsity you simply left with the soccer crew you left
them for they usually occur to be rivals, Horned Frogs coach Sonny Dykes did it the correct
approach. SMU packed Ford Stadium for his return, the biggest regular-season crowd there,
prepared for a bit of justice. It was to not be discovered, because the Frogs attacked early and
held on late for the victory. It was one in all many unbelievable moments in that first
season for Dykes and the Frogs, who had magical victories in opposition to Oklahoma State and
Baylor, beat Michigan within the Fiesta Bowl, performed for a National Championship and completed
the season ranked No. 2 within the nation.
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