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TCU-SMU ‘iron skillet’ rivalry: See historic game-day photos of Horned Frogs over decades

amanda mccoy
·1 min read

TCU will travel to Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas this Saturday for possibly one of the last Battles for the Iron Skillet contests against rival SMU.

The two programs had their first meeting in 1915 and have played every year since, with the exception of six seasons. But the tradition will be “indefinitely paused” after the 2025 season, a fact that only increases the pressure on both teams to leave Saturday with a win.

Here’s a look back at memorable TCU-SMU matchups over the decades from the Star-Telegram archives.

[MORE: Conference commish who “asked” TCU & SMU to leave sees troubling future]

TCU wide receiver Blake Lowell (87) is tackled by SMU defender Brandon Crossley (1) at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
TCU wide receiver Blake Lowell (87) is tackled by SMU defender Brandon Crossley (1) at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
TCU mascot Super Frog hops into the student section during a college football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
TCU mascot Super Frog hops into the student section during a college football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
The SMU Mustangs mascot Peruna plays the TCU Horned Frogs mascot Super Frog in a game of rock-em-sock-em robots during a college football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
The SMU Mustangs mascot Peruna plays the TCU Horned Frogs mascot Super Frog in a game of rock-em-sock-em robots during a college football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
TCU runs onto the field before their rivalry game against SMU on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the Gerald Ford Stadium in the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
TCU runs onto the field before their rivalry game against SMU on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the Gerald Ford Stadium in the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
TCU quarterback Max Duggan passes the ball during their rivalry game against SMU on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the Gerald Ford Stadium in the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
TCU quarterback Max Duggan passes the ball during their rivalry game against SMU on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the Gerald Ford Stadium in the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes reacts to a referee call during their game against SMU on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the Gerald Ford Stadium in the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes reacts to a referee call during their game against SMU on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the Gerald Ford Stadium in the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
SMU safety Bryan Massey celebrates with fans in the stands after a NCAA football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The SMU Mustangs defeated TCU Horned Frogs 42-34 to retain the Iron Skillet for another year.
SMU safety Bryan Massey celebrates with fans in the stands after a NCAA football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The SMU Mustangs defeated TCU Horned Frogs 42-34 to retain the Iron Skillet for another year.
TCU head coach Gary Patterson congratulates SMU head coach Sonny Dykes after SMU’s win of a NCAA football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.
TCU head coach Gary Patterson congratulates SMU head coach Sonny Dykes after SMU’s win of a NCAA football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.
TCU Horned Frogs running back Sewo Olonilua (33) celebrates with the Iron Skillet following a 42-12 win against the Southern Methodist Mustangs on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018.
TCU Horned Frogs running back Sewo Olonilua (33) celebrates with the Iron Skillet following a 42-12 win against the Southern Methodist Mustangs on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018.
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Kenny Hill (7) gets hit by SMU defenders while running the ball in the first quarter as TCU beats SMU 56-36 in their annual Iron Skillet game in Fort Worth, Saturday, September 16, 2017.
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Kenny Hill (7) gets hit by SMU defenders while running the ball in the first quarter as TCU beats SMU 56-36 in their annual Iron Skillet game in Fort Worth, Saturday, September 16, 2017.
TCU Horned Frogs tight end Charlie Reid (82) hoists the Iron Skillet after TCU beat SMU 56-36 in their annual game in Fort Worth, Saturday, September 16, 2017.
TCU Horned Frogs tight end Charlie Reid (82) hoists the Iron Skillet after TCU beat SMU 56-36 in their annual game in Fort Worth, Saturday, September 16, 2017.
TCU Horned Frogs celebrating retaining the Iron Skillet as TCU beat SMU 33 - 3 in college football at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016.
TCU Horned Frogs celebrating retaining the Iron Skillet as TCU beat SMU 33 - 3 in college football at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016.
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) and linebacker Paul Dawson (47) say a prayer at the goalpost before the game. The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs beat the Southern Methodist Mustangs, 48-17, in their annual Iron Skillet game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, September 28, 2013.
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) and linebacker Paul Dawson (47) say a prayer at the goalpost before the game. The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs beat the Southern Methodist Mustangs, 48-17, in their annual Iron Skillet game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, September 28, 2013.
A sea of Horned Frog fans in the student section before the game. The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs beat the Southern Methodist Mustangs, 48-17, in their annual Iron Skillet game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, September 28, 2013.
A sea of Horned Frog fans in the student section before the game. The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs beat the Southern Methodist Mustangs, 48-17, in their annual Iron Skillet game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, September 28, 2013.
The SMU Mustangs take the field before SMU’s game with TCU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas Friday September 24, 2010.
The SMU Mustangs take the field before SMU’s game with TCU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas Friday September 24, 2010.
TCU players toss the ball around during pregame over the “Pony Up” that was marked into the field by SMU fans before the TCU vs SMU College Football game at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on September 22, 2007.
TCU players toss the ball around during pregame over the “Pony Up” that was marked into the field by SMU fans before the TCU vs SMU College Football game at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on September 22, 2007.
Fans spelling out “Go Frogs” boo as SMU takes the field during the TCU vs SMU College Football game at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on September 22, 2007.
Fans spelling out “Go Frogs” boo as SMU takes the field during the TCU vs SMU College Football game at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on September 22, 2007.
TCU officials examine the sproutings on the Amon Carter Stadium Tuesday, Feburary 15, 2000. Winter rye grass growing at TCU is part of prank played by the SMU band that left the SMU band’s Diamond M in the middle of the Amon Carter Stadium.
TCU officials examine the sproutings on the Amon Carter Stadium Tuesday, Feburary 15, 2000. Winter rye grass growing at TCU is part of prank played by the SMU band that left the SMU band’s Diamond M in the middle of the Amon Carter Stadium.
David Yarbrough, field supervisor at TCU Amon Carter Stadium looks over the winter rye grass growing on the TCU stadium. The grass is part of prank played by the SMU band that left the SMU band’s Diamond M in the middle of the Amon Carter Stadium.
David Yarbrough, field supervisor at TCU Amon Carter Stadium looks over the winter rye grass growing on the TCU stadium. The grass is part of prank played by the SMU band that left the SMU band’s Diamond M in the middle of the Amon Carter Stadium.
TCU’s LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 125 yards against SMU to clinch the NCAA Division I­A rushing title on November 26, 1999 in Amon Carter Stadium.
TCU’s LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 125 yards against SMU to clinch the NCAA Division I­A rushing title on November 26, 1999 in Amon Carter Stadium.
Jerry Levias, first African American football player for Southern Methodist University, leaves the stadium at Texas Christian University’s Amon G. Carter Stadium escorted by patrolman G. R. Killough and plainclothes officer L. W. Spinks, extreme left, after the TCU-SMU football game in 1966.
Jerry Levias, first African American football player for Southern Methodist University, leaves the stadium at Texas Christian University’s Amon G. Carter Stadium escorted by patrolman G. R. Killough and plainclothes officer L. W. Spinks, extreme left, after the TCU-SMU football game in 1966.
Despite pressure from two Texas Christian University tacklers Don Meredith gets off a touchdown pass to Tirey Wilemon in 1958.
Despite pressure from two Texas Christian University tacklers Don Meredith gets off a touchdown pass to Tirey Wilemon in 1958.
Airview of stadium made during TCU vs. SMU homecoming game when stadium was dedicated to Amon G. Carter in 1951.
Airview of stadium made during TCU vs. SMU homecoming game when stadium was dedicated to Amon G. Carter in 1951.
Bobby Jack Floyd, the Frogs’ jumping fullback, prepares for a crash landing as Neal Franklin (61) of Southern Methodist University (SMU) grasps his legs in 1950.
Bobby Jack Floyd, the Frogs’ jumping fullback, prepares for a crash landing as Neal Franklin (61) of Southern Methodist University (SMU) grasps his legs in 1950.
Ray Mallouff, Southern Methodist University, hurdling a fallen team mate during the TCU vs SMU football game in 1940.
Ray Mallouff, Southern Methodist University, hurdling a fallen team mate during the TCU vs SMU football game in 1940.
Members of the Texas Christian University band performing during the TCU-SMU football game in 1937 During the game, Amon G. Carter was presented with a scroll naming him “honorary band leader for life” by TCU band leader Don Gillis.
Members of the Texas Christian University band performing during the TCU-SMU football game in 1937 During the game, Amon G. Carter was presented with a scroll naming him “honorary band leader for life” by TCU band leader Don Gillis.