With a week one blowout win under its belt, Missouri Tigers football prepares for its most anticipated matchup in recent history –– The Border War. The Kansas Jayhawks will return to Faurot Field for the first time since 2006 to reignite the rivalry.
The Tigers’ new-look roster, led by Beau Pribula on offense and Josiah Trotter on defense, will have their first Power Four challenge of the 2025 season.
The spotlight should be on the quarterback battle between Kansas’ Jalon Daniels and Pribula, who have both had hot starts to their seasons. A huge key that each team can look to gain the upper hand is shutting down the mobility of the opposing quarterback. In week one, Pribula had 65 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns, while Daniels had 65 rushing yards through two games.
Daniels is in his sixth season of college football and has leveled up as a passer this season, although the Jayhawks first two games were against a Mountain West and FCS opponent. He currently holds an 80% completion rate and a 7-to-1 touchdown-interception ratio.
Away from the firepower under center, Missouri’s defense sparked hope for stunting passing offenses. The unit held Central Arkansas’ junior quarterback Luther Richesson to 73 passing yards, a 57% completion rate and forced an interception.
Stopping the run game was a different story, however, as Central Arkansas managed 154 yards on the ground and had multiple players break off gains of 10+ yards. Missouri will have to contain senior running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. and Daniels in the run game. Both are averaging 5.9 yards per carry this season.
The Jayhawks’ defense has held stout in both the passing and running game through their easy opening schedule. In their season opener against Fresno State, Kansas picked off senior quarterback E.J. Warner twice and held them to 1.3 yards per carry as a team. The defense continued its masterclass into week two by holding Wagner to 90 passing yards and 1.9 yards per carry as a team.
Missouri’s secondary will have to square in on leading wide receivers Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and Cam Pickett. Both are 2025 transfers for Kansas, but Daniels has gravitated to them as his main options through the air.
On the Big 12’s preseason All-Conference team, the Jayhawks only had offensive lineman Bryce Foster receiving the honor. However, their offensive line has only allowed one sack through two games.
The top defensive transfers for the Tigers lived up to their billing in the season opener. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Josiah Trotter led the team in tackles and logged a tackle for loss. Junior defensive end Damon Wilson ll logged the defense’s only two sacks against the Bears.
The pass rush and run defense will have to improve as a unit to stunt Daniel’s ability to playmake. Veterans on Missouri’s defensive line, like Chris McClellan and Zion Young, are expected to have louder impacts in the first real test of 2025.
Week one served its purpose as a warmup for the Tigers’ rivalry matchup. Having the contest at home in Columbia only adds to the anticipation for a game that has been in preparation for years, and is finally set to kick off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Edited by Killian Wright | [email protected]
Copy edited by Ava Mohror | [email protected]
Edited by Chase Pray | [email protected]
