Kansas-Missouri football rivalry history: Border War returns to Lawrence for first time since 2005

College football has plenty of rivalries built on championships, recruiting battles and unforgettable finishes. The hatred between Kansas and Missouri goes much deeper.

The Border War began before either school ever fielded a football team, growing out of the violent conflict along the Kansas-Missouri border before and during the Civil War. That history eventually spilled into athletics, creating one of the oldest and most bitter rivalries in college football.

Kansas and No. 23 Missouri will add another chapter Friday night when they meet at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on FOX. Although the rivalry officially returned last season, Friday’s game carries its own historical significance. It will be Missouri’s first trip to Lawrence since 2005.

How the Kansas-Missouri Border War started

The animosity between Kansas and Missouri can be traced to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed settlers to determine whether slavery would be permitted in the territories. That decision contributed to a period of violent conflict known as “Bleeding Kansas.” Pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups crossed the border to influence elections and battle for control of the territory.

The schools’ nicknames even have connections to that era.

“Jayhawkers” became associated with anti-slavery fighters from Kansas, while Missouri’s Tigers name was connected to a militia formed to defend Columbia from attacks during the Civil War.

Kansas and Missouri eventually brought their rivalry to the football field on Oct. 31, 1891. According to the Associated Press, Civil War veterans were present along the sidelines for that first meeting, only 26 years after the war ended. The rivalry grew into an annual tradition that survived conference changes, controversial finishes and generations of players.

Why Kansas and Missouri stopped playing

Kansas and Missouri played 120 times before conference realignment interrupted the series. The programs met for the final time as conference opponents on Nov. 26, 2011, shortly before Missouri left the Big 12 for the SEC. The Tigers erased a 10-point deficit and defeated the Jayhawks 24-10 at Arrowhead Stadium.

That appeared to be the end of the rivalry for the foreseeable future.

The two schools did not play again for 13 seasons, but the hostility never disappeared. Missouri fans continued directing chants at Kansas during unrelated games, while meetings between the schools in other sports carried the same intensity. The universities finally announced a four-game football agreement in 2020. The deal scheduled matchups for 2025 and 2026, followed by another home-and-home set in 2031 and 2032. 

Missouri made dramatic statement in rivalry’s return

The Border War returned on Sept. 6, 2025, and Kansas appeared ready to spoil the occasion in Columbia. The Jayhawks raced to a 21-6 lead during the first quarter and later moved back in front 31-28 early in the fourth. Missouri responded with two late touchdowns to secure a 42-31 victory.

Brett Norfleet scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 27-yard reception before Jamal Roberts sealed the win with a 63-yard run.

The comeback gave Missouri its fourth consecutive victory over Kansas and sixth in the previous seven meetings. The Tigers enter Friday leading the official series 58-54-9.

Kansas has not defeated Missouri since a 40-37 victory at Arrowhead Stadium in 2008.

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What to know about Kansas vs. Missouri tonight

Both teams enter Friday’s game with 1-0 records. Missouri opened its season with a 54-14 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Quarterback Austin Simmons completed 17 of 19 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns in his Tigers debut.

Kansas started its season by defeating Long Island 51-6. Jayhawks quarterback Isaiah Marshall threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns while adding 49 yards on the ground. Missouri has the national ranking and recent rivalry dominance. Kansas has the home crowd and a chance to earn its first Border War victory in nearly two decades.

For the first time in 21 years, the Tigers must walk into Lawrence and face the Jayhawks on their own field.

A rivalry born from history is finally back where it belongs.

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