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SMU stuns TCU in OT

Oct 2, 2011 - 4:49 AM Fort Worth, TX (Sports Network) - Jeremy Johnson hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from J.J. McDermott in overtime to lift the SMU Mustangs over the 20th- ranked TCU Horned Frogs, 40-33, in the Battle for the Iron Skillet.

Casey Pachall's pass on 4th-and-2 on the ensuing TCU possession fell incomplete as SMU celebrated its first win over the Horned Frogs since 2005.

"It's definitely a step in the right direction. Our goal was to get to a bowl game and win our conference championship. For the kids this is a very big win. They understand what this has meant for Dallas and Fort Worth," SMU head coach June Jones said.

Darius Johnson had a fantastic day for SMU (4-1) as he caught 12 balls for 153 yards and two scores. Terrance Wilkerson had 97 yards and a score on three receptions, while Jeremy Johnson accumulated 69 yards on six catches for the Mustangs, who are off to their best start since 1986.

McDermott threw for 349 yards and four scores on 23-for-45 passing, while Zach Line led all rushers with 120 yards on 21 carries.

Pachall accounted for 304 yards and three touchdowns on 30-of-42 passing, Ed Wesley rushed for 93 yards on 11 carries and Josh Boyce had 94 yards and a score on seven receptions for TCU (3-2).

TCU came into the game with the third-longest home-winning steak in the country with 22 straight wins, behind Oklahoma (38) and Boise State (33). SMU had lost four consecutive games against TCU, and 10 of the past 11 meetings coming in.

The Horned Frogs showed plenty of resiliency, overcoming a 27-10 fourth quarter deficit to force overtime.

Boyce hauled in an eight-yard touchdown reception in the opening seconds of the final quarter the cut the deficit to 27-17. Boyce had a 30-yard catch earlier on in the possession.

SMU answered right back with a 21-yard strike from McDermott to Darius Johnson, but the extra point was missed to make it 33-17.

Pachall connected with Brandon Carter for an 11-yard score, but TCU failed on its two-point conversion as they trailed by 10.

Ed Wesley's 55-yard catch set up TCU's next score, as Ross Evans converted on a 29-yard field goal to make it 33-26 with 4:38 left in the game.

TCU got the ball back after an SMU three-and-out with 3:25 to go. The Horned Frogs marched 46 yards on eight plays to tie the score with 1:16 remaining when fullback Luke Shivers hauled in a four-yard touchdown reception in the flat.

"The bottom line is we've come back twice and come up short," said TCU head coach Gary Patterson of his team's comeback efforts. "The offense found a way to come back. We got stops. They missed the extra point. We had a chance to try to tie it up with two 8-point plays. Our kids did everything they could to get to that point, but you've got find a way to finish. That's two ballgames that we weren't able to finish."

SMU was unable to score on its final drive and overtime was needed to decide the outcome.

The Mustangs got off to a quick 17-0 lead to start the game.

Darius Johnson brought down a 13-yard touchdown in the back of the endzone, and Wilkerson streaked down the seam for a 71-yard touchdown catch on a 3rd- and-10. The Mustangs added a field goal early in the second quarter as Chase Hover booted one through from 34 yards.

On SMU's next drive, McDermott underthrew his intended receiver Der'rikk Thompson on a go-route and Greg McCoy made the interception for the Horned Frogs. Wesley scampered for 63 yards to the Mustangs two-yard line on the very next play, and Tucker plunged in from a two yards out to get TCU on the board at the halfway point of the second quarter.

The Horned Frogs were able to tack on a 42-yard field goal by Evans, on their second opportunity, right before halftime to make it 17-10. Anson Kelton mishandled the snap on the first try, but he threw the ball away with two seconds left. Since it was first down, TCU was able to get a second try.

Zach Line forced a McCoy fumble on the opening kickoff of the third quarter at the 10-yard line, and Chris Parks pounced on the loose ball in the endzone to make it 24-10.

Darius Johnson had a 48-yard catch-and-run, before Line rumbled for a 28- yard run down the right sideline to set up a Hover 31-yard field goal to increase SMU's advantage to 27-10.

Game Notes

TCU punted on its first possession for the first time this season. The Horned Frogs have recorded three touchdowns and a field goal on their opening drives so far this year...This was the Horned Frogs' first home loss to SMU since 1993 when the Mustangs won 21-15...TCU holds a 44-40-7 edge in the series, which began in 1915.