FORT WORTH -- Sonny Dykes got his wish.

The former SMU coach turned TCU head coach was one of the decision makers who chose to end the Iron Skillet rivalry -- and he did so with a statement win at home.

TCU (3-0) defeated SMU (2-2) 35-24 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth Saturday afternoon behind an unstoppable performance from senior wide receiver Eric McAlister.

McAlister totaled three touchdowns and 254 yards on eight catches. Despite SMU taking a fourth-quarter lead, the Mustang defense couldn't come up with the stops they needed down the stretch.

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Here are five thoughts from the conclusion of the Iron Skillet rivalry.

Skillet stays in Fort Worth for good

TCU chose to end the Iron Skillet rivalry and will get to keep the Iron Skillet trophy in Fort Worth, possibly for good.

The Horned Frogs, who controlled the rivalry for most of the 2000s and 2010s, had lost three of the last five games to SMU, including a blowout at Ford Stadium last year. They chose to end the rivalry with SMU, saying they wished to play more home games and that their non-conference opponents were already scheduled out.

SMU disagreed with that decision and wished to get revenge with one final win over TCU.

But the Horned Frogs' skilled passing attack led by quarterback Josh Hoover and a McAlister put SMU on its heels and handed the Mustangs their second loss before ACC play even began.

TCU enters Big 12 play with two wins over power-conference teams and has made a case to be ranked in the nation's top 25.

Even though TCU won the final scheduled meeting between these two teams, SMU showed over the last few years the series is far more even than it once was. The teams split 3-3 in the last six meetings. TCU had gone 17-2 in the stretch before that.

SMU defense can't stop Hoover-McAlister

SMU's defense just hasn't been good enough this season, and the duo of Hoover and McAlister capitalized.

Hoover threw for 379 yards, five touchdowns and one interception on 22-of-40 passing, and 254 of those yards were to McAlister. He made eight catches and also scored three times.

The Mustang defense allowed TCU to build an early 14-3 lead by the start of the second quarter. Two fourth-down conversions deep in SMU territory led to each touchdown -- one a 27-yard catch by McAlister and the other a 10-yard catch by Jeremy Payne.

SMU's defense has struggled on fourth down this season with opponents converting 8 of 12 times.

The Mustang defense locked in late in the first half and early in the second half, coming up with three consecutive stops. That stretch included an interception by Jaelyn Davis-Robinson in the end zone.

But SMU made some costly mistakes in the second half. The Mustangs managed to take their first lead with 10:30 left in the game, and on the next drive, McAlister broke tackles by SMU defensive backs Jaden Milliner-Jones and Davis-Robinson to score a 70-yard touchdown and put TCU up 28-24.

McAlister scored third touchdown on the next drive.

The Mustang secondary has struggled all season, and Saturday was no different.

Kevin Jennings leads comeback through injury

SMU managed to take its first lead in the fourth quarter after Kevin Jennings led a comeback. The SMU quarterback did so after exiting the game with an injury a quarter earlier.

On third and 7 deep in his own territory, Jennings was sacked by TCU linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr and was slow to get up. Jennings limped off the field and went straight to the medical tent.

While he returned the next drive, he didn't look 100%. He hasn't been fully healthy since he suffered an ankle injury in overtime against Baylor two weeks ago.

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said postgame that Jennings rolled the same ankle that had been bothering him.

Jennings still managed to complete 24 of 38 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns and led two touchdown drives after his injury. But his health will have to be one of SMU's top priorities moving forward.

AdvertisementSMU returns two key starters

The Mustangs had both wide receiver Jordan Hudson and linebacker Alexander Kilgore back for the first time since their first quarter of the season.

Hudson injured his elbow on SMU's first offensive play of the season, and Kilgore injured his ankle later that same game against East Texas A&M on a pick six. Kilgore was available last week against Missouri State but did not play.

Hudson had three catches for 62 yards and one touchdown. His 34-yard score put SMU up 24-21 in the fourth quarter. Kilgore made four tackles, including two solo.

AdvertisementSMU exits non-conference play without a power-conference win

SMU begins its ACC competition without a marquee win.

The Mustangs' only two wins this season were over East Texas A&M in Week 1 and Missouri State in Week 3.

SMU faced Baylor and TCU but fell to both of its former Southwest Conference rivals. In both games, SMU blew fourth-quarter leads.

Without a marquee win in non-conference play -- and with two losses to unranked teams -- SMU has just one path to the College Football Playoff: it must win the ACC.

An ACC title puts SMU in the playoff regardless of its non-conference schedule, but the Mustangs need to clean up some key issues, especially on defense, to have any chance at competing against Miami, Florida State and the ACC's best.

Related StoriesView MoreTCU-SMU history: See the all-time results in century-long Iron Skillet rivalryHow TCU, SMU honored Camp Mystic flood victim ahead of rivalry matchup in Fort Worth

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5 thoughts from SMU-TCU: Horned Frogs bring Iron Skillet to Fort Worth for good