Iron Fisted: Scenes From SMU's 0-56 Loss To TCU In The Battle For The Iron Skillet

This weekend, area rivals Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University faced off once again in the annual Battle for the Iron Skillet. 

But it wasn't much of a battle. Not by a long shot. 

TCU's 56-0 rout of SMU, now 0-4 on the season, was the most lopsided victory in the 94 meetings the two area teams have played in. 

With the win at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, the Horned Frogs (3-0) are now the 25th-ranked team in the country in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls. With the loss, the Mustangs continue a free fall as one of the worst FBS teams in the country. 

"I'm gonna be glad to get out of the Big 12 for a moment and get into [the American Athletic] conference," SMU's interim head coach Tom Mason said after the loss.

The Mustangs have been blown out by three Big 12 teams on the season. The latest was led this weekend by TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin, who threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 62 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. 

Despite offensive production that totaled 614 yards, 31 first downs and eight touchdowns against the SMU defense TCU wasn't impressed with the team's brand-new, fast-paced spread offense. 

"We have so much room for improvement," TCU wide receiver Deante' Gray said after the game. "We need to be a little more consistent."

Whether the team was looking for consistency or just looking to hammer a rival, TCU didn't pull its starters until the fourth quarter after amassing a 49-0 lead.

The Mustangs failed to score a touchdown in a game for the third time this season. That almost wasn't the case after SMU wide receiver Darius Joseph got up after appearing to have landed on top of TCU defensive back Ranthony Texada, then sprung up and ran down the sideline for a diving score. However, the score was taken away after a review of the play showed Joseph's elbow hit the ground during the initial tackle.

SMU was plagued by the same issues that have been stalling the team all season: The offense gave up nine sacks -- the third time this season the team has given up eight or more sacks. SMU quarterback Garrett Krstich took the blame for the seven sacks on him, citing his own hesitation and need to make quicker decisions in the pocket after his first career start. Krstich also took responsibility for the defensive struggles, as well. 

"I think our defense plays great," Krstich said post-game. "A lot of energy and I think it's hard for them when the offense keeps getting three-and-outs to start the game. [The offense] needs to get a drive going, we need to start the fight. That's been one of our mottos moving forward."

One of the few bright spots for the Mustangs came in the fourth quarter when linebacker Derek Longoria blocked an attempted field goal by TCU. The blocked field goal was the second of the second for the Mustangs. 

SMU has been waiting for conference play to begin to prove they're not as bad as their 0-4 record would seem to indicate, and their first opportunity to turn the season around comes this Saturday, as the team travels to North Carolina to face American Athletic Conference and 22/21-ranked foe Eastern Carolina University next week. TCU begins conference play as well next week against 4th-ranked Oklahoma at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.