Final Recap: Missouri knocks off Kansas, 42-31

Kansas takes on Missouri for the first time in football since 2011 and will play in Columbia for the first time since 2006. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

Follow along here for updates throughout the game:

First quarter: Kansas responds strong to early adversity to take control of the game

Missouri quickly took control of the game in front of an amped crowd. The Tigers forced a three-and-out and scored in five plays, showcasing an explosive offense. A nice-designed play action opened Missouri’s drive with a 14-yard gain, with Ben Norfleet hurdling over the Kansas defense.

Similar to the opening of the Fresno State game, Kansas missed some tackling opportunites. Ahmad Hardy broke a 32-yard run to the house to give Missouri an early lead. Tommy Dunn Jr. blocked the PAT, and Mason Ellis nearly returned it for two points, leaving the Tigers’ with a 6-0 lead.

Kansas responded well to the early adversity. Jalon Daniels got the drive started with his legs, picking up 11 yards on the option keeper. Offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski called a couple of nice plays to get the Jayhawks on the board.

First, a play-action sugar huddle on fourth-and-one found Boden Groen open for a 24-yard gain. Kansas went back to play-action, faking to Cam Pickett on jet motion, and Daniels found DeShawn Hanika with pressure in his face for a 15-yard touchdown to take the lead.

The Jayhawks flipped momentum in a hurry. Laquan Robinson laid a big hit on the kickoff to start Missouri’s drive at its 18-yard-line. The defense came up with a huge play on third down, with Mason Ellis forcing a fumble on Beau Pribula’s third down scramble. Austin Alexander recovered and took it to the house, giving Kansas a 14-6 lead and stunning the opposing crowd.

Kansas’ response continued on both ends. The defense forced a three-and-out on the backs of a Dunn sack. Daniels then unloaded a 50-yard dime to Levi Wentz on third-and-long near midfield, followed by a Daniels sneak on third-and-goal from the one to give the Jayhawks a 21-6 lead.

Second quarter: Missouri ties game as offense controls possession

Missouri went on a 15-play, 7:03 touchdown drive to get back into the game. The Tigers picked up gains of 15 and 12 on free plays after Kansas jumped offsides to get down the field. Pribula found Kevin Coleman for a three-yard touchdown on a rub route to cut Kansas’ lead to 21-13.

The Tigers regained momentum on Kansas’ first offensive play of the second quarter. Daniels was sacked and fumbled, and the ball ended up in the end zone. Kobe Baynes fell on the ball for a safety, and Missouri cut it to a one-score game, 21-15.

Missouri went on another long scoring drive, 17 plays over 8:40, to inch the game closer near halftime. Kansas bent but didn’t break despite being on the field for 13:36 in the second quarter, holding the Tigers to a 25-yard field goal to make the score 21-18.

The end-of-half disasters that plagued Kansas last season made another appearance against Missouri. The Jayhawks went three-and-out, giving the Tigers the ball at their 14-yard-line with 0:28 left. Jamal Roberts broke off a run for 39 yards, and Coleman was wide open over the middle and scampered all the way down to the two. True freshman kicker Robert Meyer tied the game at 21-21 heading into the break.

Kansas held the ball for just 0:56 in the second quarter, trailing Missouri 45-20 in total plays. The game was somehow tied despite feeling like the Tigers had dominated for most of the game.

Third quarter: Missouri caps off long drive to take lead into the fourth

Kansas came out the half with a much needed stop. The Tigers got past midfield, but the Jayhawks’ defense held fast to force a turnover on downs. Trey Lathan and Jalen Todd broke up passes on third and fourth down, giving the offense the ball at its 35.

The Jayhawks picked up their first first down since the first quarter as they looked to retake the lead. Kansas benefited from a facemask call on third-and-long to keep the drive alive. Daniels found Hanika on two straight plays for gains of 10 and 14 yards. However, the drive stalled, but Laith Marjan made a chip-shot 26-yard field goal to give Kansas a 24-21 lead.

Missouri went on another lengthy drive, reaching the end zone after 12 plays. Another offsides allowed the Tigers to keep the drive alive on a third down run conversion. Kansas looked to be on its way to holding Missouri to another short field goal, forcing a third-and-goal from the 11. However, Pribula found Norfleet in the endzone to cap the drive and give the Tigers a 28-24 lead.

Fourth quarter

The Jayhawks got the scoring started with a six-yard TD catch by Deshawn Hanika from Jalon Daniels. It was an eight play, 92 yard drive that gave the Jayhawks the lead 28-24.

That was the last lead Kansas would have. Missouri scored on a 27 yard pass from Pribula to Norfleet and that put the Tigers back in front, 31-28.

On their next drive Roberts went over the left side for a 63-yard rushing touchdown that put the game away. That gave the Tigers a 42-31 lead and was the final score of the game.