Thrilling finish in Mizzou 36, Kansas 28
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Holy cow, what a game. What was advertised as a blowout didn’t quite live up to its billing, but the way that one finished was pretty darn fantastic.
ESPN/ABC certainly hyped the game (though more likely because they were broadcasting it than any interest in the actual matchup), and around these parts—Missouri and Kansas, namely—there was a week’s worth of excitement at what was coming up. Number 2 vs. Number 4 (or 3). Biggest game of the year. Battle of two highly underrated quarterbacks and highly talented offenses. Big XII North at stake, as well as perhaps a spot in the national championship. Kansas favored in the books, but many not counting Mizzou out. Neutral site, under the lights, both programs proving they’re for real. Who can ask for anything better? (Sex maybe, but football definitely a close second).
Missouri’s offense dominated the first three quarters, holding the ball approximately 2/3 of the time. They ran their offense just like always,with Chase Daniel being extremely effective, mixing and matching, splitting rushing and receiving attempts half and half, and getting everybody involved, with eight different rushers and nine different receivers. It speaks volumes when your leading receiver (Danario Alexander) is a third-stringer whose name is not mentioned very often with the likes of stars Jeremy Maclin, Martin Rucker, Chase Coffman, and Will Franklin. However, it seemed like the offense started fatiguing as the game wore on, as they were not able to finish off drives at the same clip as earlier, giving Kansas an opening to steal the game.
KU made it very interesting at the end, when they were trailing 28-7 with one quarter left. They scored on four straight possessions before Todd Reesing was tackled in his own end zone for a Mizzou safety. The game seemed like it was put away, but props to the Jayhawks for clawing back. The two missed field goals and the red zone mishaps at the beginning of the game definitely came back to haunt Kansas. Good execution at the beginning of the game would maybe have made this a KU win.
It looked like both teams needed time to get adjusted to playing on a big stage, as Missouri seemed to commit more penalties than usual, while KU looked rough at the start. Reesing and the entire offense seemed out of sorts, except for a couple big plays that was the majority of their drives at the beginning. Matching half of his season interception total in the first half (albeit a total of only four) showed that all the hype was getting into his head, or perhaps the Mizzou defense buckled down when it was needed. Maybe a little bit of both. But as the game wore on, Reesing settled in nicely, and the rest of the offense with Brandon McAnderson, Kerry Meier, Dezmon Briscoe, and Dexton Fields were able to make their plays and give Mizzou a run for their money. Perhaps if the game were ten minutes longer, KU would have been able to get the lead. Alas, a football game is only sixty minutes.
The defenses on both sides played solidly. Giving up only fourteen points to one of the most dangerous offenses in the country in the first half and ultimately holding them to their second lowest point total of the season (lowest for a win) was definitely a good showing for KU. Mizzou gave up too many big plays, but stepped up when needed, forcing a couple field goal tries and turnovers at the beginning, and coming up with a safety at the end. The middle was a bit rough, but ultimately they got the job done. However, with a tough Oklahoma team coming up next week, Missouri will still have their work cut out for them.
That last quarter was quite spectacular. Mizzou settled for a couple of field goals and a punt, the first quarter in which they did not have a touchdown, while Kansas came back with touchdowns in four straight possessions. The mostly stunned Jayhawk fans were given a reason to cheer at the end, and the mostly comfortable Mizzou fans definitely started feeling nervous. If not for the safety that Mizzou brought when they really needed it, who knows what might have happened? Definitely a fine finish to the biggest game this season.
