Missouri vs. Kansas: A Civil War in an Uncivil Football Rivalry
It is a college football rivalry marked by 120 years of hatred and disdain. One of the most contested rivalries in college football, the Missouri Tigers hold a 56-55-9 advantage over the Kansas Jayhawks. Missouri has won the last three meetings, most recently in 2011. These bitter rivals first met in 1891, with the Jayhawks winning 22-10, and have played each year from 1891 to 2011, except for the year 1918.
2009: Missouri 41 – Kansas 39
In an epic gridiron battle, the Tigers clawed their way back from a 21-13 halftime deficit to set up a dramatic walk-off victory, courtesy of the 27-yard field goal as the clock struck zero. In that border brawl, both teams combined for 1,100 yards of total offense.
KU signal-caller Todd Reesing threw for 498 yards and four TDs, and one INT. The Missouri defense held the Jayhawks to less than 50 yards rushing and forced three turnovers. Missouri QB Blain Gabbert accounted for 397 total yards and a passing touchdown for the victors.
Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz has led the Tigers to a 21-5 record over the past two seasons. Another 10+ wins in 2025 and it will be the first time in school history that the Tigers have posted three consecutive 10+ win seasons.
Missouri’s defense is talented and experienced
Tigers and Jayhawks fans will converge on Faurot Field on the first Saturday in September to reignite the powder keg of a football feud. The colors of the day will be black and gold for the home team and their passionate fanbase. The colors for the Jayhawk enemy could be black and blue, applied by a Missouri defensive unit that in 2024 led the Southeastern Conference in opponents’ 3rd down conversions, allowing a paltry 30.19 percent conversion rate.
Among nine returning defensive starters are three standout transfers: DB Jalen Catalon (5 INTs, 1 TD at UNLV), LB Josiah Trotter (92 tackles, 1 INT, 4 TFLs at West Virginia) and LB Damon Wilson II (22 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles at Georgia).
Talented Transfer at Quarterback
On the offensive side of the ball, the Tigers are projected to start another transfer at the most important position on the field. Quarterback Beau Pribula comes to Columbia from Happy Valley and Penn State.
Last season, Pribula accounted for 517 yards of total offense and nine total TDs and one INT for the Nittany Lions. He completed 74 percent of his passes. When he had to extend plays with his legs, Pribula averaged 6.37 yards per carry.
He tossed 108 career touchdown passes as a high school star. Pribula was a 2-time Pennsylvania Player of the Year and won the Mini Max Award in 2021, presented by the Maxwell Football Club.
On the other sideline, the Jayhawks return just 10 starters from the 5-7 team of 2024. But they do return experienced Jalon Daniels at quarterback.
Mizzou fans hope Pribula can lead the Tigers to another 10+ win season. The 2025 schedule is certainly favorable, as Missouri does not leave the state to play a football game until October 18 at Auburn. But first things first, the Tigers must take care of business against FCS member Central Arkansas on Aug. 28.
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