Missouri football rolls into Lawrence this Friday facing something wild: they haven’t snagged a road win against their bitter rivals, Kansas, since way back in 2001. That’s a quarter-century-long drought, folks, and when Eli Drinkwitz leads his Tigers into David Booth Family Memorial Stadium, it’s not just another game. It’s a chance to finally snap a streak that’s been hanging over their heads for 25 years since the last true road victory against the Jayhawks.
The Ghost of 2001 Still Haunts Mizzou in Lawrence
Think about it, 2001 was Gary Pinkel’s *first* season as Mizzou’s head coach. He pulled off a 38-34 win that year, thanks to quarterback Kirk Farmer, who went off for 246 passing yards, added 82 more on the ground, and tossed a clutch game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Dwayne Blakely in the fourth quarter. That victory in 2001, one of Terry Allen’s final games as KU’s coach, ended an 11-year run without a win in Lawrence itself; the Tigers’ previous win there was under coach Bob Stull in 1990. After that high, Pinkel’s teams struggled, going 1-2 in true road games at Kansas, dropping contests in 2003 and 2005 against Mark Mangino’s Jayhawks. The rivalry then took a 14-year hiatus after Missouri bounced from the Big 12 after the 2011 season. They renewed it last season in Columbia, with Mizzou taking a 42-31 win, but this Friday marks Drinkwitz’s first shot at leading the Tigers into Lawrence, a feat Barry Odom never got to attempt.
Mizzou’s Rocky Road Record and What’s Next
The history in Lawrence itself is a bumpy ride for Mizzou, with an all-time record of 20-28-4. If Drinkwitz’s Tigers can pull off the win this Friday, it would mark just their third win in Lawrence in the past 36 years, and only their fifth since 1970. What makes this rivalry even more intense is the disputed overall series record; Mizzou claims a 58-54-9 lead, while KU puts their claim at 55-57-9. The controversy stems from a 1960 matchup where Kansas initially won 23-7, but the Big Eight later ordered a forfeit because KU fielded an ineligible player. Mizzou is even honoring its 1960 team as national champions during its Week 3 game against Troy this year, a clear nod to that history. The renewed series is set for another brief break after this season, with the next scheduled games in 2031 in Columbia and 2032 back in Lawrence.
This Friday, with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Kansas airing on FOX, is huge. This isn’t just about another game on the schedule; it’s about Eli Drinkwitz and his Tigers facing down a 25-year road losing streak. It’s about writing new history in a rivalry steeped in controversy and long droughts. Can they finally get that elusive third win in Lawrence in 36 years and break the quarter-century curse? You better believe every fan will be watching to see if Mizzou can pull it off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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