History of the Governor’s Cup

The Governor’s Cup is named for the yearly battle between Kansas and Kansas State on the football field. This coincides with the Sunflower Showdown which is the series of athletic contests between Kansas and Kansas State in basketball and football.

The two teams have faced each other since 1902, though the Governor’s Cup didn’t officially begin until 1969. Kansas State holds a 23-19-1 advantage over the Jayhawks. There was one forfeit in Last season, Kansas State defeated Kansas 59-21.

Kansas holds the series advantage, 65-39-1, though Kansas State believes it to be 64-39-5, with the forfeit being the difference. Key games in the series other then the 2007 meeting, that Kansas won en route to an Orange Bowl appearance, include:

1969 meeting, the first of the Governor Cup series saw Kansas State win the game 26-22. Jayhawks running back John Riggins was a part of Kansas this season. After the defeat, Kansas went onto finish 1-9 overall.

1987 game, which was dubbed the “Toilet Bowl,” finished as the only tie of the series. Kansas entered the game with a 1-8 record, and Kansas State was 0-9. Kansas had a chance to win the game in the end, though a field goal attempt was blocked, and the game ended in a 17-17 tie.

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Sept. 30th, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; The Kansas Jayhawks face Kansas State in the next Governor’s Cup on Saturday, Oct. 6th.