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Columbia Daily Tribune
Border War report card: Here’s how we graded Missouri football in win over Kansas
- Story byColumbia Daily Tribune
- Border War report card: Here’s how we graded Missouri football in win over Kansas
In the first Border War rivalry game in 14 years, Missouri football overcame a 15-point hole and a fourth-quarter deficit to knock off Kansas 42-31 on Saturday in Columbia.
Mizzou mostly outplayed the visiting Jayhawks , putting up far more than double the total offensive yards over the course of four quarters. Still, Kansas nearly escaped with an upset win.
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Here's how we graded the Tigers (2-0) against the Jayhawks (2-1):
Beau Pribula : A-
The quarterback could have crumbled after a costly first-quarter fumble that was returned for a TD. He didn't. Instead, he led four long scoring drives, including the go-ahead march in the fourth quarter with the Tigers ' backs against the wall.
The Penn State transfer was marvelous in his first full game: 30-of-39 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns.
The Tigers have their starter. There were mistakes, but there was more to be excited about.
Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) rolls out to pass against Kansas Jayhawks defensive end Leroy Harris III (33) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Offensive line: C+
The pass-protection was sometimes suspect. Our first impressions were that there were seemingly some issues with run-blocking to the left (although Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts made up for it with some major YAC yards).
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We don't have the pressure numbers yet, but when they come around, we'd bet it doesn't look pretty. This was a second straight shaky showing from the Tigers' offensive line, which still looks a lot like 60% of its starters switched positions two weeks before the season started.
Again, though, the unit got much better as the game progressed.
More: Missouri football vs Kansas final score: Mizzou fights back for Border War win
Wide receivers: A
Freshman Donovan Olugbode made one of the greatest fourth-down plays we've seen since fourth-and-17 against Florida . Kevin Coleman Jr. was a yards-after-the-catch monster and finished with 126 yards and a touchdown. Brett Norfleet , when he got involved in the passing game, was a tough-to-deal-with threat and scored two touchdowns.
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The passing game looks to be in good hands. The Tigers moved the ball around the field fluidly and have multiple players capable of making plays at any given time.
Defensive line: A
Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) fumbles as he is tackled by Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young (9) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Mizzou held Kansas to two — yes, two — rushing yards in the first half. They held the Tigers to 105 total yards in that same timespan. That was a mammoth showing, even despite giving up two touchdowns.
Defensive end Zion Young's forced fumble was the play that really swung the momentum in this game. The Tigers needed him in that moment.
Secondary: B+
Daylan Carnell got burned on Kansas' second offensive touchdown drive on a 50-yard deep ball to the goal line. That play alone accounted for more than a full third of the total yardage Kansas had through three quarters (143).
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Carnell sealed the game with an incredible sideline interception.
This was a test for the Tigers' defensive backs. Mizzou has been fooled by mobile quarterbacks and their ability to scramble before. That didn't happen on Saturday. The only times Mizzou got beat deep were on tremendous plays by Daniels — not Missouri mistakes. That's a considerable improvement.
Overall: A-
It's odd to give these types of high grades all across the squad. Kansas scored 31 points, after all.
But this is a rivalry game. They get weird. Mizzou was in a hole and needed to show extreme grit and fortitude to get across the line.
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Everything the Tigers want is still in front of them. There needs to be an improvement, yes, but they got across the line — and looked good for long periods doing so.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Here's how we graded Missouri football in win over Kansas
