The end of an era and the rise of a new power
In short: For over a century, SMU and TCU shared one of college football's most storied rivalries. In 2025, that chapter closed forever as the Mustangs pivoted toward a new identity in the ACC, marked by historic upsets and a defensive dominance that redefined their season.
The 2025 SMU Mustangs season was defined by significant structural shifts and historical milestones. The team entered the year as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), led by head coach Rhett Lashlee in his fourth season. A major cultural shift occurred with the conclusion of the "Battle for the Iron Skillet" against TCU. After more than 100 years of near-continuous play, TCU opted not to renew its contract with SMU, choosing instead to prioritize non-conference games against power conference opponents.
On the field, the Mustangs achieved several firsts and notable victories. Since 1985, this was their initial appearance within preseason polls. The team secured a landmark home win against an AP top 10 opponent by defeating Miami 26–20 in overtime—their first such victory since 1974. This game was characterized by defensive grit, including safety Ahmaad Moses intercepting a ball to end Miami's possession in overtime, allowing running back T.J. Harden to score the winning touchdown.
The season also featured high-stakes drama and physical toll. A narrow double-overtime loss to Baylor (48–45) ended a 14-game losing streak against their former Southwest Conference rival but dampened playoff hopes. Meanwhile, SMU showed improved composure in hostile environments, notably defeating Clemson 35–24 at "Death Valley." Despite these highs, the season was marked by adversity, including quarterback Kevin Jennings playing through reaggravated ankle injuries and a kicking carousel that saw Collin Rogers leave the team after losing his starting spot to Sam Keltner.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025 SMU Mustangs football team
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