Mustangs Fall Short At TCU

Saturday, September 20

Fort Worth, Texas

11am CT

SMU

2-2 , 0-0

TCU

3-0 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
SMU	3	7	7	7	24
TCU	7	7	7	14	35

Mustangs Fall Short At TCU

Sep 20 | Football

Box Score

Jennings Throws Three TDs In Loss

Box Score | Postgame Notes
Photo Gallery | Video Highlights

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Eric McAlister had eight catches for 254 yards and three of the career-high five touchdowns thrown by Josh Hoover as TCU beat SMU 35-24 on Saturday in the last scheduled game between the former Southwest Conference rivals that played for the 104th time in 110 years.

Hoover finished 22-of-40 passing for 379 yards, and now has 53 TD passes in his 22 career starts.

McAlister's 70-yard catch-and-run score with 9:18 left put TCU (3-0) ahead to stay, and he added a 44-yard touchdown three minutes later. The longer of those scores came three plays after Kevin Jennings' third TD pass for the Mustangs (2-2), a 34-yarder to Jordan Hudson gave them their only lead at 24-21.

The Horned Frogs for now will hold on to a 54-43-7 lead in the "Battle for the Iron Skillet" that had continued since the SWC broke up after the 1995 season, except for 2006 and the pandemic-impacted 2020 season.

Jennings finished 24-of-37 passing for 290 yards and three touchdowns, along with two interceptions.

There was another impressive catch by McAlister inside the 1 that didn't count, a leaping grab late in the third quarter while defended on a third-and-15 from the 30, though officials ruled his foot landed out of bounds. There was no replay review by officials, even though coach Sonny Dykes called timeout before the Frogs missed a 47-yard field goal.

It also appeared McAlister had a catch in the end zone late in the first half, but SMU cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson pulled the ball away for an interception instead of a touchdown as they fell in the end zone.

SMU has an open date before its ACC opener at home against Syracuse on Oct. 4.

TCU is at Arizona State on Friday night.

SMU Postgame Notes – September 20, 2025

[rv/rv] TCU 35, [rv/rv] SMU 24
TCU (3-0), SMU (2-2)
Amon G. Carter Stadium – Fort Worth, Texas
Battle for the Iron Skillet

NEXT GAME

Syracuse - Saturday, October 4 – TBD – Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
TV: TBD
Radio: KTCK 96.7 FM/1310 AM | SMU Mobile App/Varsity Network | Sirius XM
Tickets: https://smumustangs.com/tickets

'THUNDER ON: RESURGENCE OF THE SMU MUSTANGS'

An all-new documentary recounting the resurgence of the Mustangs will premiere on ESPN on Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m. CT. http://smumustangs.com/thunderon

SCORING DRIVES

SMU had 3 scoring drives of 10+ plays (had 3 in the first 3 games)
- Sam Keltner opened SMU's scoring with a 28-yard FG (1^st Qtr 3:32) - Drive was 12 plays, 68 yards, 5:18
- Kevin Jennings 9-yard TD pass to Matthew Hibner (2^nd Qtr 7:21) - Drive was 12 plays, 75 yards 6:59
- Kevin Jennings 7-yard TD pass to Yamir Knight (3^rd Qtr 5:54) - Drive was 10 plsys, 75 yards, 4:56
Kevin Jennings 34-yard TD pass to Jordan Hudson (4^th Qtr 10:30) – Drive 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:49
- 7^th TD scoring drive this season that was under 2 minutes

SPREADING THE BALL

Kevin Jennings (#7, QB, RS Jr.) -- Maxwell Award Watch List, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, Manning Award Watch List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Third Team
- 12-5 as a starter
- 24-38 passing for 290 yards with 3 TDs
  - Tied career-high 3 TD passes
  - TD pass to: Matthew Hibner (9 yards), Yamir Knight (7 yards), Jordan Hudson (34 yards)
  - Multiple passing TDs in 11 of his past 15 games
10 different receivers caught a pass
- At least 7 players have a catch in 32 of the past 35 games
- Yamir Knight (5-69, TD), Jordan Hudson (3-62, TD), Romello Brinson (4-51), TJ Harden (3-31), Matthew Hibner (3-15, TD)
  - Brinson now has 365 yards this season (Entered the week 1^st ACC / 7th in NCAA FBS – 314)

TEAM NOTES

Captains: Kevin Jennings (#7, QB, Jr.), RJ Maryland (#82, TE, Sr.), Ahmaad Moses (#3, S, Sr.), Isaiah Nwokobia (#23, S, Sr.),
SMU is 2-2 this season
- SMU is 31-14 under Rhett Lashlee
- SMU is 21-3 in last 24 regular-season games
- SMU is 22-6 in the last 28 games overall
- SMU is 14-7 in road games under Rhett Lashlee
  - Snaps a 10-game regular-season road win streak, the 2^nd-longest streak in program history (13 from 9/26/1981 to 9/15/1984)
SMU had 2 sacks, 6 TFLs and 7 pass breakups
- Sacks: Cameron Robertson, Jeffrey M'ba (0.5), Isaiah Smith (0.5)
  - TCU had not allowed a sack in its first 2 games
TFLs: Jeffrey M'ba (1.5), Cameron Robertson (1), Isaiah Smith (1), Kevin Allen (0.5), Brandon Miyazono (0.5), Ahmaad Moses (0.5)
PBUs: Kevin Allen, Marcellus Barnes, Deuce Harmon, Brandon Miyazono, William Nettles, Isaiah Nwokobia, Cameron Robertson
Isaiah Nwokobia team-high 10 tackles, Brandon Booker tied career high 8 tackles
SMU had 1 takeaways (interception)
- Interceptions: Jalen Davis-Robinson (2^nd straight game)
- Have 9 takeaways this season (entered the game T-1^st NCAA FBS in takeaways – 8)
- Have 6 interceptions this season (entered the game 1^st ACC / 6^th NCAA FBS in interceptions – 5)

TV AND RADIO HIGHLIGHTS

ESPN2
- Sam Keltner 28-yard FG https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/46323585
- Kevin Jennings 9-yard TD pass to Matthew Hibner https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/46323904
- Jaelyn Davis-Robinson interception in the end zone https://x.com/SMUFB/status/1969450795130057008
- Kevin Jennings 7-yard TD pass to Yamir Knight https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/46324520
- Kevin Jeninngs 34-yard TD to Jordan Hudson https://x.com/SMUFB/status/1969474688070894072
SMU Highlights and Head Coach Rhett Lashlee postgame radio | SMU Radio Network on KTCK "The Ticket" 96.7 FM, 1310 AM (Rich Phillips pxp, Scott Garner analyst, Steve Lansdale sideline) – Courtesy Learfield / SMU Athletics
- Highlights - https://tinyurl.com/28kmdl6t

SMU INDIVIDUAL RECORDS

Kevin Jennings (#7, QB, RS Jr.) -- Maxwell Award Watch List, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, Manning Award Watch List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Third Team
- 24-38 passing for 290 yards with 3 TDs (tied career high TD passes)
- 5-13 rushing for 303 yards of total offense

CAREER PASSING YARDS
1	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	9081
2	Chuck Hixson, 1968-70	7179
3	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22	7152
4	Shane Buechele, 2019-20	7024
5	Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13	6460
6	Mike Ford, 1977-80	6239
7	Mike Romo, 1989-92	6041
8	Kyle Padron, 2009-11	5902
9	Ramon Flanigan, 1992-97	5640
10	Kevin Jennings 2022-	5194
11	Justin Willis, 2006-09	4991

CAREER TD PASSES
1	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22	72
2	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	71
3	Shane Buechele, 2019-20	57
4	Justin Willis, 2006-08	51
5	Kyle Padron, 2009-11	41
6	Chuck Hixson, 1968-70	40
7	Kevin Jennings, 2022-	38
8	Bo Levi Mitchell, 2009	36
	Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13	36
10	Mike Romo, 1989-92	35
	Preston Stone, 2021-24	35

CAREER COMPLETIONS
1	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	718
2	Chuck Hixson, 1968-70	642
3	Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13	603
4	Mike Romo, 1989-92	601
5	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22	596
6	Shane Buechele, 2019-20	549
7	Mike Ford, 1977-80	475
8	Kyle Padron, 2009-11	446
9	Ramon Flanigan, 1992-97	438
10	Justin Willis, 2006-08	424
11	Kevin Jennings, 2022-	411

SMU CAREER TOTAL OFFENSE - YARDS (Pass \| Run)
1	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	8977	9081	-104
2	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22	7454	7152	302
3	Ramon Flanigan, 1992-97	7437	5640	1797
4	Shane Buechele, 2019-20	7234	7024	210
5	Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13	7073	6460	613
6	Chuck Hixson, 1968-70	6884	7179	-295
7	Kyle Padron, 2009-11	6189	5902	287
8	Mike Ford, 1977-80	6055	6239	-184
9	Justin Willis, 2006-08	6054	4991	1063
11	Kevin Jennings, 2022-	5728	5194	534
10	Mike Romo, 1989-91	5699	6041	-342

RJ Maryland (#82, TE, Sr.) -- John Mackey Award Watch List, College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List, Senior Bowl Top 300 List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Second Team, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas First Team
- 1-10 receiving

SMU CAREER RECEPTIONS - TIGHT ENDS
1	John Hampton, 2000-02	114
2	RJ Maryland, 2022-	95
3	Kylen Granson, 2019-20	78
4	Ryan Kennedy, 2004-06	55

SMU CAREER RECEIVING YARDS - TIGHT ENDS
1	John Hampton, 2000-02	1485
2	Kylen Granson, 2019-20	1257
3	RJ Maryland, 2022-	1249
4	Oscar Roan, 1972-74	888

ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Zakye Barker (#33, LB, RS Jr.) — East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List
- DNP
Brandon Booker (#28, LB, So.)
- Tied career high 8 tackles with a QBH
Romello Brinson (#3, WR, Sr.)
- 4-51 receiving
Yamir Knight (#8, WR, Jr.)
- 5-69 receiving with a TD (1^st TD at SMU, 5^th of career)
Jalen Davis-Robinson (#13, CB, Jr.)
- Had an interception (2^nd straight game)
Sam Keltner (#95, K, RS Fr.)
- 3-3 on PAT's
- 1-2 on FGs (made 28, missed 49)
TJ Harden (#27, RB, Sr. ) - East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List
- 15-56 rushing and 3-31 receiving
Matthew Hibner (#88, TE, Gr.) - John Mackey Award Watch List
- 3-15 receiving with a TD (1st TD this season, 5^th TDs in his career)
Jordan Hudson (#2, WR, Sr.) - East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Second Team
- 3-62 receiving with a TD
- 1^st TDs this season, 16^th for his career
Chris Johnson Jr. (#6, RB, RS So.) - Phil Steele All-ACC Third Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Fourth Team
- 5-19 rushing
- 2-21 receiving
Alexander Kilgore (#54, LB, Jr.) - Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee, Athlon Sports All-ACC Fourth Team
- Had 4 tackles
Wade McSparron (#43, P, Fr.) - Ray Guy Award's "Ray's Eight" List (9/2)
- 4-190 punts, 47.5 average, 1 inside the 20
Ahmaad Moses (#3, S. Sr.) -- Senior Bowl Top 300 List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Athlon Sports All-ACC First Team, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, ACC DB of the Week (9/2)
- Had 6 tackles with a half TFL
Addison Nichols (#63, OL, RS Jr.) -- Rimington Trophy Watch List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Phil Steele All-ACC Third Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Third Team
- Started 4 games at RG at SMU (started all 12 games at Arkansas in 2024)
Isaiah Nwokobia (#23, S, RS Sr.) - Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Chuck Bednarik Watch List, Senior Bowl Top 300 List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Walter Camp All-America Second Team, Sporting News All-America Second Team, Athlon Sports All-America Third Team, Phil Steele All-America Fourth Team, All-ACC Team, Phil Steele All-ACC First Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC First Team, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas First Team
- Team-high 10 tackles with a pass breakup
Logan Parr (#71, OL, Gr.) -- East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Second Team, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas First Team
- Has started 30 of the 31 games played at SMU
Link Rhodes (#4, WR, Jr.)
- 3-71 punt returns
Cameron Robertson (#9, DE, Sr.) - Athlon Sports All-ACC Third Team
- Had 6 tackles, including a sack and a pass breakup
Isaiah Smith (#1, DE, Sr.) - Phil Steele All-ACC Fourth Team
- Had 5 tackles, including a TFL and a half sack
Terry Webb (#4, DT, 5th Yr. ) - East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas Second Team
- Tied career-high 5 tackles
Aakil Washington (#58, DE, RS Sr.) - East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List
- DNP
PJ Williams (#59, OL, RS Jr.) - Outland Trophy Watch List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Athlon Sports All-ACC First Team, Phil Steele All-ACC Fourth Team, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas Second Team
- Started the last 20 games he has played