The fans… raucous. The energy? Palpable. This game meant a great deal to every fan in the area, and it showed. The campus was buzzing, with the SEC Network’s “Marty and McGee” and “SEC Nation” in Columbia.

At 12:15 PM, the students got to rush the stands and by 12:30, the student section was nearly packed. The boos were deafening as the team out west walked out and the cheers for the Tigers were equally as deafening.

Missouri would win the coin toss and defer, starting the game on defense. Kansas would complete an out route to make it 3rd and 1, but the Tigers would make a huge stop, forcing a punt. It didn’t take long for the Tigers to drive down and score, as Ahmad Hardy ran it in for a 32 yard TD. Unfortunately for the black and gold, Connor Tollison would get flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Kansas would immediately respond with a touchdown drive of their own. After a pickup of 24 on 4th and 1, Jalen Daniels and the Jayhawks found themselves in the red zone. Daniels then threw a td pass while being pressured on a play action, 7-6 Jayhawks.

It got worse for the Tigers, as Beau Pribula would fumble on an attempt to get the first, leading to a scoop and score. 14-6 Jayhawks. But wait, there’s more.

The Missouri offense would stall, leading to a Tiger 3 and out. Kansas would get the ball back, driving down the field and getting a huge touchdown to make it 21-6. The Jayhawks blew the game open and Missouri needed to do something before it got out of hand. They would.

The Tigers switched things up on their next drive, marking it the Ahmad Hardy drive. The Missouri offensive line struggled to get push, but Hardy made up for it. A few big runs and a crucial pass to Joshua Manning to the ten-yard line would put the Tigers in scoring position. Pribula would throw a beautiful swing pass to Kevin Coleman, touchdown. 13-21.

Missouri would quickly continue the momentum. On the first play of the next defensive drive, Missouri would force a safety after Zion Young got early pressure and forced the fumble. 15-21

Missouri would then go on a long drive, but stalled out at the seven, resulting in a Robert Meyer field goal. On this drive, freshman wideout Donovan Olugbode made one of the best catches’ I’ve ever seen. 18-21.

Mizzou would then force a three and out, getting the ball back with 0:36 left in the half. After an electric Kevin Coleman Jr run after the catch, the Tigers would kick a field goal at the three-yard line to end the half, knotting the game at 21.

Tigers would open up the half with a drive that produced two first downs, courtesy of Coleman Jr. and Jamal Roberts, but would result in a 4th and 4 at the 35. Mizzou would go for it, resulting in an incompletion over the middle and Kansas would take over on downs.

Kansas would drive, and after a very questionable facemask call, which followed a supposed sack by Darris Smith, the Jayhawks would get all the way down to the 12. Jalen Daniels would supposedly run for the 1st, but the run was overturned as Daniels stepped out at the 8. A field goal to Kansas would make the game 24-21.

Missouri would respond, orchestrating a beautiful TD drive that resulted in a 11-yard touchdown to Brett Norfleet.

Kansas’s next drive wouldn’t go far, as the Tigers dodged a bullet. Two plays in a row, Daniels missed wide-open receivers, and both likely would have been touchdowns.

Missouri would then go 3 and out and a beautiful punt would pin the Jayhawks back at the 7.

Kansas would drive and score, 31-28.

Missouri would respond with a touchdown of their own. A huge 4th and 1 conversion, that resulted in a wide-open Brett Norfleet. Touchdown Tigers, 35-31.

A huge stop by the Missouri defense, mainly due to an unfortunate drop, would give the Tigers the ball back.

Missouri would take over at the 25, hoping to close out the game as they went into the two-minute warning. They did just that. An amazing 63-yard rushing touchdown by Jamal Roberts would seal it. The crowd was electric, and many left stunned.

Kansas would get the ball back with roughly two minutes, in hopes that they could get a quick score and hopefully an onside kick. However, due to Daniels being under immense pressure, Daniels heaved the all in an attempt to throw it away, but it fell right to Daylan Carnell. Game, set, match. 42-31 Tigers. Here are some side notes:

• Have a game Beau Pribula, 30-39, three touchdowns.
• Jamal Roberts, absolute gamer.
• O-line still needs work. Really struggled at times getting push. Pribula was pressured often.
• Tiger defense looked softer than expected. Although this Kansas offense is very good.

Big win by the Tigers today. Showed so much resilience, a proud win for Missouri.