2007 Missouri vs. Kansas football game

NCAAFootballSingleGameHeader
Name=Missouri vs. Kansas, 2007
Date=November 24, 2007
Year=2007
Visitor School=University of Missouri–Columbia
Visitor Name Short=Missouri
Visitor Nickname=Tigers
Visitor Record=11-1
Visitor

Visitor Coaches=4
Visitor BCS=4
Visitor Coach=Gary Pinkel
Visitor1=7
Visitor2=7
Visitor3=14
Visitor4=8
Visitor Total=36
Home School=University of Kansas
Home Name Short=Kansas
Home Nickname=Jayhawks
Home Record=11-1
Home

Home Coaches=2
Home BCS=2
Home Coach=Mark Mangino
Home1=0
Home2=0
Home3=7
Home4=21
Home Total=28
Stadium=Arrowhead Stadium
Type=c


City=Kansas City, Missouri
MVP=
Odds=
Anthem=
Referee=
Halftime=
Attendance=
US Network=ABC
US Announcers= Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstriet
Ratings=
Intl Network=
Intl Announcers=

Prelude

The undefeated Kansas Jayhawks tried to remain unbeaten as they faced the one loss Tigers of Missouri in Kansas City to decide who would go on to play Oklahoma for the Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship Game. In this historic rivalry, the Missouri Tigers triumphed over the unbeaten Jayhawks.

Both teams came into the game with impressive statistics. The Jayhawks entered 11-0 and ranked 2nd in the both the AP and BCS polls. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2007&weekNumber=13&seasonType=2] ] Missouri came in with a 10-1 record and ranked 4th in the BCS and 3rd in the AP. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2007&weekNumber=13&seasonType=2] ] Starting their season with a six point win, the Missouri Tigers were undaunted, with only one 31-41 loss to Oklahoma at Norman. The Kansas Jayhawks were unranked from the start of the season, and they were one of 2007’s biggest surprises. After routing the Nebraska Cornhuskers 76-39 at home (the most points ever scored on the Cornhuskers [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273072305] ] ) they played the Iowa State Cyclones at home and beat them 45-7. The victory gave the their first 11-0 record in school history. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273212305] ]

The Game

The Missouri Tigers received the ball first. But, even though they had decent field position, they couldn’t score. The first quarter was mostly dominated by defense. Missouri held Kansas scoreless, and the Jayhawks only allowed one touchdown, a 1-yard pass to martin Rucker on 4th and goal. This put the Tigers up 7-0. The high-scoring Jayhawks were allowed 391 total yards, to Missouri’s 519.

During the second quarter, Chase Daniel connected to Danario Alexander for an 11 yard touchdown, making it 14-0. Kansas kicker Scott Webb missed two consecutive field goals, vital points which could have made this an 8-point deficit going into halftime. Todd Reesing was sacked for an eleven yard loss, fumbled, but was recovered, staving them from total disaster. Scott Web missed his second field goal here, to the cheers of many Tiger fans. Mizzou's Jeff Wolfert however was perfect, with two field goals and four extra points which made the difference. Early in the third quarter, Missouri running back Jimmy Jackson scored a 1-yard touchdown, beginning a 21-0 rout. But the tide changed after a long pass from Todd Reesing down to about the one-yard line of Missouri. From here Brandon McAnderson ran to the left for a 1-yard touchdown. This made it a 21-7 deficit. But the last points scored in the third quarter were by the Missouri freshman Derrick Washington, with a three yard run, making it a hopeless 28-7 game, going into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, due to many Kansas last minute heroics, and an attempted comeback, the score altered to 34-28 in favor of Missouri. The Tigers being forced to punt, punted down to the Jayhawk’s eleven-yard line. Todd Reesing took the snap, but was sacked in the end zone by the Tiger’s Lorenzo Williams. After the sack, there was no doubt that Missouri had won the game. Todd Reesing walked off the field pulling the mud and sod out of his helmet. Reesing finished 28-49 for 349 yards and two touchdowns. Chase Daniel was more accurate that day, 40-49, with three touchdowns and 361 passing yards.

"MIZ-ZOU! We’re No. 1,” said Missouri freshman running back Derrick Washington.

Impact

After this game, the Missouri Tigers were ranked 1st in both the BCS and AP polls, with Kansas falling to 5th and 7th respectively. The Tigers would go to San Antonio to play Oklahoma for the Big 12 Championship. Even though the Tigers won and played in the championship game, the Big 12 named the two teams co-champions of the north division and awarded both with trophies. [ [http://overthetop.kansascity.com/?q=node/275 MU won, but KU still shows off trophy] ]

The Big 12 Championship Game was a 38-17 rout in favor of Oklahoma, who would play West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. As a result of the loss, the Tigers would go on to play Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl and beat them 38-7. Missouri tailback Tony Temple broke the all time rushing record in the Cotton Bowl Game and ran for four touchdowns. The Kansas Jayhawks went to the 2008 Orange Bowl (their first BCS bowl) and defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies, 24-21.

The Missouri Tigers finished 12-2, while Kansas completed their season 12-1. These were the two coaches best seasons, and one of the most memorable Border Showdowns since 1960.

coring Summary

1st Quarter

MU 7 KU 0: TD Chase Daniel passed to Martin Rucker down the middle for 1-yard gain (Jeff Wolfert made PAT)

2nd Quarter

MU 14 KU 0: TD Chase Daniel passed to Danario Alexander to the right for 11-yard gain (Jeff Wolfert made PAT)

3rd Quarter

MU 21 KU 0: TD Jimmy Jackson rushed up the middle for 1-yard gain (Jeff Wolfert made PAT)

MU 21 KU 7: TD Brandon McAnderson rushed to the left for 1 yard gain (Scott Webb made PAT)

MU 28 KU 7: TD Chase Daniel passed to Derrick Washington to the right for 3 yard gain (Jeff Wolfert made PAT)

4th Quarter

MU 28 KU 14: TD Todd Reesing rushed to the right for 5-yard gain (Scott Webb made PAT)

MU 31 KU 14: FG Jeff Wolfert kicked a 43-yard field goal

MU 31 KU 21: TD Todd Reesing passed to Dexton Fields to the left for 10 yard gain (Scott Webb made PAT)

MU 34 KU 21: FG Jeff Wolfert kicked a 43-yard field goal

MU 34 KU 28: TD Todd Reesing passed to Marcus Henry down the middle for 5 yard gain (Scott Webb made PAT)

MU 36 KU 28 SY Todd Reesing sacked for a safety

References