Jayhawks Return Home to Face Missouri
Oct. 25, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas (3-4, 0-4 Big 12) returns home for the first time in 42 days as the Jayhawks face Missouri (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) for the 114th time in series history. Kickoff for Saturday’s Border Showdown game is scheduled for noon from Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks have won four of the last six games against the Tigers, and have been victorious in each of the last two meetings (34-14 in 2003 and 31-14 in 2004).
The Jayhawks, who feature the second-best rush defense in the NCAA, enter the contest looking to snap a current four-game losing skid after falling 44-13 at Colorado on Oct. 22. Kansas is undefeated this season in Memorial Stadium, but has not played at home since a 34-14 win over Louisiana Tech on Sept. 17.
The Tigers enter the game against the Jayhawks riding a three-game Big 12 win streak after falling in its conference opener against Texas on Oct. 1. Senior quarterback Brad Smith ran for 246 yards and passed for 234 yards in MU’s last game — a 41-24 victory over Nebraska last Saturday. Last season, the Jayhawks held Smith to minus 41 yards rushing in KU’s 31-14 triumph, and in 2003, the KU defense limited the Missouri signal-caller to 33 rushing yards on 17 attempts.
“Missouri is playing fine football,” said KU head coach Mark Mangino. “We’re looking forward to it. Our kids always look forward to it. We haven’t been home in a while, so our kids are excited and really fired up about the game.”
Kansas – Missouri Series Notes
… The Kansas – Missouri Border Showdown series, which began in 1891, is the second-most played series in Division I-A (behind Minnesota-Wisconsin — 115 games including 2005) and the oldest NCAA I series west of the Mississippi River.
… The game marks the 114th meeting between the two schools.
… KU leads the series 53-51-9 after defeating the Tigers 31-14 last year in Columbia, Mo.
… Of the previous 113 games, 49 have been decided by a touchdown or less.
… The Student Alumni Associations from Kansas and Missouri coordinate the post-game presentation of the Marching Band Drum, which is given each year to the winning team. The two schools have been exchanging a trophy since 1912 (it was formerly known as the Indian War Drum).
… There has not been a three-game winning streak by either team in the series since Kansas captured three straight from 1993-95.
… KU has won nine of the last 14 games.
… MU head coach Gary Pinkel’s first game as head coach at Toledo was a 30-7 loss to Kansas in 1991.
… The KU-MU contest has signaled the end of the regular season for both teams 96 times during the series.
— KU —
