Question: Why is the annual football game between the SMU Mustangs and the TCU Horned Frogs called the “Battle for the Iron Skillet”?
Answer: It depends who you ask. According to SMU’s website, the name originated in 1946 when a TCU fan confronted an SMU fan who was frying frog legs before the game. The TCU fan suggested the game’s outcome—which the Mustangs won 30-13—should determine who would take home the frog legs and skillet.
According to TCU, however, the rival schools’ student councils agreed to the idea of a “traveling trophy” that year, and the inaugural skillet was presented to SMU student body president Bobby Harris at a restaurant in Dallas after the game. “It was their idea, so we had to let them win the first one,” said TCU student body president Derrell Tipps.
Since their first meeting in 1915, the Horned Frogs have won 53 times, while the Mustangs have won 43 times. There have been seven ties, and the teams didn’t play each other in seven seasons. Saturday’s game is the last time the rivals will play for the foreseeable future.
