The six-part look at MU-KU history, dispute and hype
The articles all explore the deep-rooted rivalry between Kansas and Missouri football, tracing its origins, moments of dispute, legendary performances, and present-day resurgence. They highlight how unresolved ledger disputes, history lessons, key figures, and public hype continue to define the rivalry’s character.
For example, Kansas and Missouri still do not agree on the outcome of the 1960 game. This disagreement comes from a forfeit decision when an ineligible player participated, and each school records it differently. Former Kansas coach Don Fambrough became known for his intense “Missouri week” speeches, motivating players across different eras. Tony Sands’ record performance in 1991 remains a cherished memory tied directly to this matchup. The rivalry resumed after a 14-year break, with national attention from media outlets such as “SEC Nation” shining a spotlight on the renewed contest.
NO. 1: WHY BAD BLOOD BETWEEN KU & MIZZOU GOES DEEPER THAN THE BORDER WAR RIVALRY
When kicker Laith Marjan transferred from South Alabama to Kansas in December, he went through an orientation to learn about KU football. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha
NO. 2: ‘SEC NATION’ RETURNS TO COLUMBIA FOR SATURDAY’S MIZZOU-KANSAS BORDER WAR MATCHUP
The return of the Border War is putting a big spotlight on Columbia this weekend. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chase Gemes
NO. 3: WHAT’S THE ALL-TIME SERIES RECORD BETWEEN KU & MU IN FOOTBALL? THEY DON’T AGREE
The renewal of the Kansas-Missouri football rivalry means the return of a longstanding dispute between the Border War participants regarding the all-time record in the 120-game series. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore
NO. 4: WHY MISSOURI-KANSAS REVIVAL IS VITAL IN A DISILLUSIONING ERA OF COLLEGE SPORTS
When Missouri and Kansas first met on the gridiron in 1891 at Exposition Park in Kansas City, the sport was spelled “foot-ball” and still in its embryonic phase. | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian
NO. 5: WHY FAMBROUGH’S ‘MISSOURI WEEK’ SPEECHES WERE UNFORGETTABLE, VIA KU RADIO ANALYST
David Lawrence, who played college football for legendary Kansas coach Don Fambrough and also worked a year as a graduate assistant for the person known for his great disdain toward Border War rival Missouri, says he’ll definitely be thinking about the man he considered a “father figure” if the Jayhawks are able to upend the Tigers on Saturday in Columbia, Missouri. | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore
NO. 6: KU’S SANDS WILL NEVER FORGET HIS RECORD-SETTING RUSHING PERFORMANCE VS. MISSOURI
Tony Sands, the third-leading rusher in Kansas Jayhawks football history and member of the program’s Ring of Honor, had many outstanding individual performances in Lawrence. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.