Missouri football will attempt to end a 25-year drought in Lawrence this Friday when the Tigers face Kansas at David Booth Family Memorial Stadium. The last time Mizzou secured a victory on the road against its rival was in 2001, during Gary Pinkel’s inaugural season as head coach. Coach Eli Drinkwitz will become the first Missouri coach to lead the team into Lawrence since Pinkel, as the programs did not face each other during Barry Odom’s tenure.
The extended gap between road wins reflects the complicated history of this rivalry. After Missouri departed the Big 12 following the 2011 season, the two schools ceased competition for 14 years. When the Border War resumed last season, Mizzou claimed victory 42-31 in Columbia. During the final stretch of their conference matchups, the annual contest moved to a neutral site at Arrowhead Stadium, meaning 2005 marked the last time the teams played in Lawrence.
Missouri’s overall record in Lawrence stands at 20-28-4 all-time. In Pinkel’s three trips to Kansas, the Tigers won their first contest 38-34 in 2001 before losing their subsequent two visits in 2003 and 2005. A successful outing Friday would mark just the third victory for Missouri in Lawrence over the past 36 years and only the fifth since 1970.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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