By Darin 
On November 30, 1935, the rivalry between the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs and the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs was about far more than just bragging rights. It was a winner-take-all battle for the Southwest Conference championship, a perfect season, and the coveted bid to the Rose Bowl. This game wasn’t just decided by talent; it was decided by audacity—a single, brilliant trick play that secured the victory and, incredibly, solved a major financial problem for the Mustangs.
The Stakes and the Showdown: Both teams entered the contest undefeated, setting the stage for one of the most intense gridiron rivalries of the era. Played in front of a massive crowd at TCU, the game was a defensive slugfest that lived up to its championship billing. By the fourth quarter, the tension was palpable as the score stood knotted at 14-14. Every yard gained was a monumental effort, and the Rose Bowl dream hung in the balance with every snap.
The decisive moment arrived late in the final quarter. SMU faced a critical fourth down from the TCU 39-yard line. Conventional wisdom dictated a punt to flip the field position and play for overtime or a late defensive stand. But the Mustangs, led by quarterback Bob Finley, had a different idea.
The Legendary Trick Play: Finley dropped back, seemingly preparing to kick the ball away. Instead, in a breathtaking fake punt, he launched a desperate pass downfield to running back Bobby Wilson. Wilson secured the catch and raced into the end zone for a 39-yard, game-winning touchdown. The play, a moment of pure football genius and high-stakes risk, put SMU ahead 20-14, a lead they held until the final whistle.
The victory was electric, but the consequences were even more significant. By winning the Southwest Conference title and securing the trip to Pasadena, SMU received a lucrative $85,000 payout from the Rose Bowl. This substantial windfall was immediately put to use, paying off the mortgage on the Mustangs’ campus stadium and solidifying the team’s future. The 1935 victory was not just a win for the record books; it was a win for the university’s balance sheet.
Article from Dec 1, 1935 Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska)
Conclusion: The 1935 “Punt-Pass” game between SMU and TCU remains one of the most legendary and financially impactful victories in college football history. It showcased the thrilling drama of rivalry week and proved that taking a risk—even on fourth down—can sometimes pay off in the biggest ways possible.