Woodyard takeaways lift Missouri past Kansas 38-21 in Border War

No. 23 Missouri beat Kansas 38-21 in Lawrence on Friday night after Robert Woodyard Jr. forced the game away from a half-time stalemate with two takeaways. The Tigers improved to 2-0, while the Jayhawks fell to 1-1 in the latest edition of the Border War.

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According to the Associated Press report carried by the Guardian, Woodyard recovered an Isaiah Marshall fumble with the score tied 14-14 early in the second half. Austin Simmons then connected with Donovan Olugbode for a touchdown. Woodyard intercepted Marshall on Kansas's next offensive play, setting up a touchdown run by Xai'Shaun Edwards and a 28-14 Missouri lead.

Kansas had initially gained the advantage through special teams. The university's official recap confirmed that Corey Gordon blocked Missouri's first field-goal attempt and Leroy Harris III blocked another. Austin Alexander returned the second block 88 yards for the opening touchdown after a scoreless first quarter, giving the home side a lead it could not retain.

The official scoring summary records a 64-yard Jamal Roberts touchdown run in response. Marshall's 20-yard pass to Nik McMillan put Kansas back ahead before Simmons found Cayden Lee for a 27-yard score with 30 seconds remaining in the half. That exchange sent the teams into the interval level, before Missouri's defense created the decisive separation.

Kansas cut the margin to 28-21 through an 11-play, 83-yard drive finished by Marshall's touchdown pass to Nahzae Cox. Missouri then scored the only 10 points of the fourth quarter. Blake Craig kicked a 32-yard field goal, and Simmons found Brett Norfleet for a 13-yard touchdown with 2:02 left, according to the official box score.

Simmons finished with 292 passing yards, while Roberts rushed for 125 yards. The AP report said the result was Missouri's fifth consecutive win in the rivalry. Coach Eli Drinkwitz also criticized Kansas's use of the rivalry's slavery-era history in the buildup, arguing afterward that greater unity was needed on September 11. Kansas next faces Arizona State at Wembley Stadium in London on September 19.