The Border War: No. 23 Missouri visits Kansas in latest rivalry game steeped in Civil War-era battle
In an era of conference realignment, of players dashing from one program to the next and coaches doing the same, few rivalries still exist that are as bitter as Missouri-Kansas.
Lawrence, Kan. — As Missouri and Kansas prepared to meet for another edition of the highly-charged Border War, the Jayhawks' athletic department shared a historical image on social media. The image featured John Brown, a controversial figure celebrated by some as an abolitionist and vilified by others for his violent tactics. Kansas athletic director Travis Goff followed up by sharing a picture of the Jayhawkers.
Goff described them as "the original Jayhawkers," who, in Kansas history, had executed a daring jailbreak in Missouri to rescue an Underground Railroad leader. This backstory of violence and heroism set the stage for a rivalry steeped in Civil War-era conflict. Missouri's fans quickly pointed out that their side of the border had its share of troublemakers as well, hence the formation of the "Fighting Tigers of Columbia."
The Border War, born out of the divisive Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which permitted settlers to decide on the issue of slavery, quickly escalated into a violent episode known as "Bleeding Kansas." The Sack of Lawrence and Pottawatomie Massacre are mere highlights of a turbulent period. As the feud evolved, each university adopted its nickname, intertwining sports with a deeply-rooted historical legacy.
This week's game, the 23rd in the series, is the latest chapter in a rivalry that dates back 130 years to 1891. The significance of this match transcends sports. Kansas assistant coach Andy Kotelnicki likened it to "generations of wrongs that we had to correct as a country." The teams last clashed in Lawrence in 2005, and the rematch is set for Friday night.
Both teams are aware of the historical weight of this confrontation. Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz noted the game's origins, while Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold emphasized its intensity. As the players take the field this Friday, they are not just competing for a football victory; they are also playing out a deeply ingrained chapter of American history.
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