And breathe…for now. The Border Showdown has had an exhilarating first half, controversies, fumbles, a safety even, and much, much more.
After falling behind 6-0 thanks to a smooth five-play 71-yard drive that took up 2:09, Kansas was quick to respond, adding three touchdowns.
The first was a pass from quarterback Jalon Daniels to DeShawn Hanika, thanks to a 15-yard pass to Hanika, that was quickly followed by a scoop and score, which saw Kansas topple on 14 points from out of nowhere.
A stout defensive drive allowed Kansas to get on the ball again and reel in 21 points in with 2:13 to go in the first quarter.
Today was the first time Kansas scored 21 points in the first quarter during an away game since 2003.
Seems like the first Border Showdown since 2011 is a good time to do that.
The last time Kansas was able to do so, the Jayhawks took on Wyoming. Ultimately, Kansas walked away with a 42-35 win, which was propelled immensely by that 21-point first quarter.
Yet, the Jayhawks have lagged since that first-quarter explosion. Since the turn of the quarters, Missouri has totaled 15 straight points, including one touchdown, a safety, and two field goals, one of which ended the first half.
As it stands, the score sits at 21-21 with Missouri set to receive the ball in the second half, where Missouri QB Beau Pribula has accumulated 167 yards and one touchdown through the air. Transfer running back Ahmad Hardy amassed 78 yards and a touchdown of his own. For the Jayhawks, Daniels had 103 yards and one touchdown, with Levi Wentz bulking those yards with 56 of his own.
It is hard to say how the second half will turn out. At the end of the first, Jayhawk fans would have been flying, yet the second-quarter roar from the Tigers has brought them firmly back into this game.