The No. 23 Missouri Tigers absolutely flipped the script in the second half against Kansas on Friday night, turning what was a tied game into a dominant 38-21 victory that saw some wildly candid post-game comments from coach Eli Drinkwitz. After a tight first half, it was Robert Woodyard Jr. who turned the tide, producing back-to-back turnovers right after the break, sparking an offensive explosion from Austin Simmons and the potent Tigers. Those turnovers quickly became touchdowns, shattering the 14-all tie and letting Missouri roll to the big win.
Turnovers Sparked the Tiger Takeover
The Jayhawks actually jumped on Missouri early, much like they did last season when this historic rivalry finally resumed. Kansas even capitalized on Missouri’s own mistakes, with four false start penalties, blown blocking assignments, and two blocked field goals in the first half alone. On the second block, Austin Alexander scooped it up and ran 88 yards for the game’s first points! But Jamal Roberts, stepping up big with All-American Ahmad Hardy rehabbing, quickly answered that. He jetted over the right side for a career-long 64-yard touchdown run, proving the Tigers wouldn’t back down. The game was tied 14-all early in the second half when Woodyard made his move. He fell on Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall’s fumble, and Simmons immediately found Donovan Olugbode for the go-ahead touchdown. On Kansas’s very next offensive snap, Woodyard faded into the secondary like a veteran and picked off Marshall’s pass, setting up Xai’Shaun Edwards’ touchdown run. Marshall finished with 168 yards passing, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, plus a measly 23 yards on 20 carries. Talk about a brutal sequence that changed everything for the Jayhawks.
Drinkwitz’s Explosive Post-Game Rant That Has Everyone Talking
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz wasn’t holding back after the game, and his comments are pure fire. While he acknowledged his team’s “undisciplined penalties” and “not good” special teams, he praised them for overcoming it “on the road.” But he saved his real thoughts for Kansas leaning into the historical, conflict-ridden nature of the Border War rivalry. “I’m just glad the whole right-versus-wrong crap got settled on the football field,” Drinkwitz declared. “I get there’s a past to it, but why are we stirring that bullcrap up? It’s 9/11. We need more unity. I was embarrassed for them. That’s why I tried to embarrass them.” You heard that right. He said he *tried to embarrass them*, and the Tigers even threw to the end zone in the final seconds before running out the clock. Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold kept it more low-key, saying there was “a lot of juice in the stadium” but that “some things happened , a couple of things you just can’t do if you play ranked teams and want to beat them.”
The Tigers (2-0) have now beaten their biggest rival for the fifth straight time, marking their first trip across the state line since way back on Oct. 29, 2005. Kansas (1-1) hasn’t beaten Missouri since Nov. 29, 2008. This rivalry is clearly still simmering, and with Drinkwitz dropping bombs like that, it’s not cooling down anytime soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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