Arrowhead Stadium was black and gold on one side while crimson and blue on the other. It really was a great sight to see that is if you were a Mizzou fan. The stadium was about 80 percent Tiger fans and only 20 percent Jayhawks fans. According to the Kansas City Star, Kansas was a 23.5 point underdog to Mizzou going into the game. No doubt that Missouri was expected to win but also to dominate.

There was much hatred going into the game, as there always is at each border showdown; however this was special because it was most likely the last football game played between these two historic colleges. The Border Showdown, previously known as the Border War is the second oldest college football rivalry ever and the oldest west of the Mississippi. It wasn’t always just a football game however; it was once a real war.

On August 23, 1863 William Clarke Quantrill and his raiders attacked the city of Lawrence, Kansas and killed just about everyone in sight, including the women and children. The rivalry then was much more intense than it is now because it was not about football, but about slavery and freedom.

With the overall series tied at 55-55-9, both teams knew what was at stake.  Since the University of Missouri is headed to The SEC next year it meant that this would most likely be the final game. Whoever won would win the series. However Mizzou had more to play for since it meant that a win would assure a bowl game, while Kansas had no hope for a bowl game with a poor 2-9 record.

The beginning of the game was rough for Missouri and quarterback James Franklin, who had three interceptions in the first twenty minutes. Kansas took a 10-0 lead. Missouri started their comeback at the end of the half however with a field goal. Going into half time the Tigers must have been shocked that the team at the bottom of the big 12 standings was beating them 10-3. However, the Tigers roared back causing turnover after turnover.

Missouri ended up winning the game 24-10 and won the overall series if the rivalry does not continue. This game was not just a game; it was the end of a great rivalry that was not just about football and basketball, but about war and slavery.