Live Blog: Mizzou Football Visits Kansas in Border War Matchup

Fourth Quarter

Missouri Turns Kansas Over, Wins Fifth Straight Border War: Mizzou 38, Kansas 21

The Tigers cap off a 24-7 second half with a defensive statement from the pass rush unit. Daeden Hopkins and Donta Simpson recorded the Tigers’ third sack of the fourth quarter and Nicholas Rodriguez closed the game with a fourth-down sack to up the sack tally to four.

Simmons Finds Norfleet, Tigers in Full Command: Mizzou 38, Kansas 21 – 4Q 2:02

Missouri elected to go for the fourth-and-9 in the redzone and it certainly paid off. Simmons found starting tight end Brett Norfleet in the endzone in a tight window. The touchdown is Simmons’ third of the night and Norfleet’s first of the season. Norfleet needs five touchdowns to enter the top 10 for receiving touchdowns in Missouri history.

Roberts Returns, Tigers’ Pass Rush Shuts Down Isaiah Marshall: Mizzou 31, Kansas 21 – 4Q 3:17

Donta Simpson brought down Kansas’ quarterback on third-and-10 for the Tigers’ first sack of the game, forcing a fourth-and-16. Missouri kept the pressure on Marshall as Daeden Hopkins forced a fumble and turnover on downs.

Missouri Punts, Keeps Opportunity Open: Mizzou 31, Kansas 21 – 4Q 4:40

Xai’Shaun Edwards was one yard short of a first down on a third-and-5 rushing attempt. Kansas has the ball at the 20-yard line.

Jamal Roberts Jogs Off Field, Tigers in Command Late: Mizzou 31, Kansas 21 – 4Q 5:31

The starting running back is headed into a medical tent after jogging off the field. Missouri faces a third-and-5 after converting a first down in a Xai’Shaun Edwards-heavy drive.

Missouri Stagnant in Redzone, Kick Field Goal: Mizzou 31, Kansas 21 – 4Q 11:46

The Tigers opted to run on third-and-9 at the 14-yard line and were unsuccesful, leading to a 32-yard attempt from Blake Craig. After two field goals were blocked earlier, this one fell through the uprights for the first field goal of the game.

Third Quarter

Tigers Enter Jayhawks Territory to Close Third: Mizzou 28, Kansas 21 – 4Q 15:00

Missouri accumulated 49 yards in four plays to close out the third quarter. Simmons ended the frame with a rollout and a 26-yard ball to Cayden Lee near the left sideline. Simmons has thrown 279 yards and Lee is up to 120 receiving yards.

Kansas Bounces Back with Extended Drive and Score: Mizzou 28, Kansas 21 – 3Q 2:07

In an eleven-play drive that lasted nearly six minutes, Isaiah Marshall utilized his wheels and primarily his arm to bring the Jayhawks back within a score. The drive was capped off by a 10-yard touchdown pass to a fully-extended Nahzae Cox.

Langden Kitchen Back in Second Half: Mizzou 28, Kansas 14 – 3Q 5:58

After getting helped off the field with four minutes left in the second quarter, the Tigers’ edge rusher returned to the field in the second half.

Isaiah Marshall Throws Pick, Tigers Respond: Mizzou 28, Kansas 14 – 3Q 10:52

Kansas’ sophomore quarterback turned the ball over for the third time and second time in the half with an interception to Robert Woodyard Jr. The linebacker took the football back to the 12-yard line and two plays later, Xai’Shaun Edwards ran the pigskin ten yards to the end zone.

Simmons Dazzles, Tigers Take the Lead: Mizzou 21, Kansas 14 – 3Q 11:40

Simmons began the 34-yard drive with a precise dime on the run to Cayden Lee at the sideline and ended it with an accurate dart to Donovan Olugbode in a tight window. The senior quarterback is 15-for-23 with 230 yards and two touchdowns.

Kansas Fumbles, Mizzou in Scoring Position: Mizzou 14, Kansas 14 – 3Q 13:37

Robert Woodyard Jr. forced an Isaiah Marshall fumble and subsequently recovered the ball as well. The takeaway is the Tigers’ second of the game and places them 34 yards away from the endzone.

HALFTIME

Second Quarter

Simmons Commands Missouri to the Endzone: Mizzou 14, Kansas 14 – 2Q 00:30

Simmons led a 75-yard drive from the Tigers to knot the score back up. He rifled passes in to Naeshaun Montgomery, Donovan Olugbode and ultimately Cayden Lee for a 27-yard score. Simmons is 13-for-18 with 202 yards.

Kansas Scores On Unorthodox Drive: Mizzou 7, Kansas 14 – 2Q 1:48

Following two deep balls to open Kansas receivers that were severly underthrown, Isaiah Marshall prevailed and led his offense to the endzone. The drive was culminated by a 20-yard touchdown throw to Nik McMillan.

Langden Kitchen Helped Off Field: Mizzou 7, Kansas 7 – 2Q 4:07

The starting edge rusher was down on the ground following a play and helped off the field by two Tiger staff.

Jamal Roberts Explosive Run Knots the Score: Mizzou 7, Kansas 7 – 2Q 5:22

Roberts ran in a 64-yard touchdown for the Tigers this time, not to be confused with last year’s 63-yard score against the Jayhawks. After having 10 rushes for 17 yards, Roberts exploded past Kansas’ defensive line and remained untouched for the majority of the run. The back ultimately shook off multiple Jayhawks with his speed and change of direction to reach the endzone.

Kansas Strikes First on Chaotic Play: Mizzou 0, Kansas 7 – 2Q 7:16

Just as the Tigers looked to be finding a rhythm offensively, Kansas struck first halfway through the second. After a long Tiger drive that featured multiple deep completions to Cayden Lee, Blake Craig’s 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked, marking the second blocked field goal of the game. The ball was taken back for seven by Austin Alexander.

Scoreless Trend Continues, Kansas Misses Field Goal: Mizzou 0, Kansas 0 – 2Q 12:12

Kansas’ drive began with a recovered Isaiah Marshall fumble and ended with a 52-yard attempt from Martin Connington that hit the uprights and missed.

Jamal Roberts Fumbles: Mizzou 0, Kansas 0 – 2Q 14:19

Less than a minute after the Tigers forced the game’s first takeaway, Kansas gets one of their own following a Roberts’ fumble. Roberts has 13 yards on 6 rushing attempts after recording 143 rushing yards against Kansas last year.

First Quarter

Jahlil Florence Snags Impressive Interception: Mizzou 0, Kansas 0 – 1Q Ends

With 11 seconds left in the first frame, Florence rose up and snagged a deep ball out of Keaton Kubecka’s grasp to mark the Tigers’ first takeaway of the 2026 season.

Blocked Kick: Mizzou 0, Kansas 0 – 5:59 Remaining in 1Q

Following a 65-yard completion from Austin Simmons to Donovan Olugbode and another first down to Cayden Lee, the Tigers were stopped and attempted a 44-yard field goal. Craig’s second field goal attempt of the year was blocked by Corey Gordon to keep the score knotted.

Border War Begins With Two Three-And-Outs: Miz 0, Kansas 0 – 12:52 Remaining in 1Q

It only took 48 seconds for the Tigers to get the ball back from the Jayhawks after a quick first sequence and then they followed suit. Dominick Giudice muffed a snap for a fumble, which Austin Simmons recovered, but the quarterback couldn’t convert a first down on the next play.

Pregame

After missing Week 1, All-SEC left tackle Cayden Green is set to return for the Border War. Here’s a quick clip of him warming up ahead of the matchup.

Here’s a look at how the fans in Kansas responded to the Tigers arrival. Simmons paused his pregame warmups to greet his teammates with high-fives, while the crowd delivered an expected response.

LAWRENCE, KAN — Missouri (1-0) takes on Kansas (1-0) at 7 p.m. in Lawrence, Kansas, for the last Border War matchup until 2031.

The game marks the second since 2011 between the rivals, with last year’s 42-31 Tiger victory marking the first in over a decade. The Tigers lead the overall series by a slim margin, but have bested Kansas in the last four games dating back to 2009.

However, the Tigers haven’t visited David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium since 2005 and haven’t won there in 25 years. The Jayhawks boast a 28-20-4 home record.

Both squads head into David Booth following substantial victories against FCS opponents. The Tigers are coming off a 54-14 Week 1 victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Kansas had a decisive season opening win as well, defeating Long Island 51-6 in Jayhawk territory. Friday’s matchup will be the first real test of the season for both teams.

Plenty of eyes will be on the team’s respective quarterbacks, Kansas’ Isaiah Marshall and Missouri’s Austin Simmons. Sophomore Marshall and senior Simmons are in their first starting season — apart from Simmons’ brief starting stint for two games at Ole Miss in 2025 — and much like the two teams, are coming off strong performances against weaker opponents.

Simmons was 17-for-19, throwing four touchdowns and 252 yards in less than a half of action and Marshall went 14-for-19 for 246 yards and two scores. Simmons’ top targets were Donovan Olugbode and Cayden Lee, who combined for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. Marshall connected most with Buffalo transfer Nik McMillan, who accumulated 130 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.

Each team threw for over 300 yards and Kansas also dominated on the run. In 51 attempts, the Jayhawks ran for 277 yards, five touchdowns and had four backs with at least one score. On the Tigers front, Ahmad Hardy will miss his second straight contest, making Jamal Roberts the starting back. Despite a lackluster Week 1 from the back, Roberts’ 63-yard touchdown to ice the Jayhawks at Faurot Field last season will not be forgotten during Friday’s reunion.

Both teams will be looking to make a splash defensively after Kansas gave up 42 to the Tigers last season and following Missouri’s singular sack in the season opener. Linebacker Bam Crouch is doubtful for the Jayhawks, putting more pressure on Kansas’ 2025 leading tackler Trey Lathan. Many eyes will be on the Tigers’ starting edge rushers Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen to lead a louder pass rush against Kansas.

How to Watch: Mizzou Football vs. Kansas

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