Missouri reminds Kansas they own the Border.
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Second-half explosions and fourth-quarter defensive gems from Missouri shut out Kansas 38-21 in Lawrence, Kan. Friday night for The Border War rivalry matchup.
In a game based on so much hatred, you expect there to be a battle for the ages. Kansas had laid this out as a war agaist the “pro-south Missouri” while Missouri showed no fear heading into this bloodbath of a matchup.
The Tigers battled tooth-and-nail against an early-second-quarter comeback-minded Jayhawks team, but winning the battle up front, converting on the edge of the field, and executing defensively was too much for Kansas to overcome.
Kansas scored first with a busted play to open the Tigers’ souls. Cornerback Austin Alexander picked up a blocked field goal and scampered 88 yards down the sidelines for a touchdown. This play sent the home crowd absolutely wild as Kansas took an early 7-0 lead.
Missouri responded quickly as running back Jamal Roberts took the handoff and sprinted down the sidelines for a 64-yard touchdown to tie the game up 7-all.
Kansas struck once again before halftime as quarterback Isaiah Marshall connected with Nik McMillan down the sideline for a 20-yard touchdown. Missouri didn’t miss a beat, however, as quarterback Austin Simmons kept his cool and found Cayden Lee wide open down the seam for a 27-yard touchdown of his own. The teams headed into the locker room with a tied score at 14-all.
Missouri went into domination mode soon after halftime. Missouri took the lead for the first time midway through the third quarter with Simmons finding Donovan Olugbode wide open for an 8-yard touchdown, but they didn’t stop there. Following another Jayhawk turnover, linebacker Xai’Shaun Edwards ran untouched into the end zone from 10 yards out to make the score 28-14 Missouri.
Kansas fought and scrapped to stay alive as quarterback Isaiah Marshall found tight end Nahzae Cox for a touchdown late in the third quarter to cut Missouri’s lead to seven. Missouri ended the game in the fourth with Blake Craig’s 32-yard field goal and Simmons finding tight end Brett Norfleet for a 13-yard touchdown reception to seal the deal at 38-21.
Kansas attempted another comeback to no avail as Missouri’s defense stuffed the Jayhawks near midfield to run the clock out on the hardest-working fanbase in sports. Missouri’s defense forced two consecutive turnovers early in the third quarter, one by linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr., that completely changed the game’s momentum.
The Tigers improve to 2-0 while Kansas falls to 1-1. Kansas will stay home to take on Arizona State next week while Missouri returns home to host Troy. Kansas is battle-tested and set for another showdown, while Missouri will have an easy win ahead.
