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College football rivalries are often fueled by history, emotion and tradition, but Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz believes Kansas took the Border War in a direction that went too far. After Missouri’s emphatic 38-21 victory over Kansas on Friday night, Drinkwitz delivered a fiery postgame message criticizing the Jayhawks’ approach to the historic matchup.
The No. 23 Missouri Tigers controlled the game and secured another important win over their border rival. However, the attention quickly shifted from the result on the field to Drinkwitz’s pointed comments about Kansas’ pregame messaging and the broader meaning attached to the series.
Explosive College Football Rivalry Sparks Drinkwitz Outburst
Drinkwitz said he was “embarrassed” by the way Kansas promoted the Border War. The rivalry traces its roots to an armed conflict along the Missouri-Kansas border over slavery in the years before the Civil War. Kansas used that history heavily in its buildup to Friday’s game, including language that portrayed the Jayhawks as “right” and Missouri as “wrong.”
That framing did not sit well with the Missouri coach.
“I’m just glad that this whole right-versus-wrong bullcrap that was started just got settled,” Drinkwitz said after the Tigers’ 38-21 victory, according to ESPN News Services. “It’s a football game. It’s an American football game. People love to come watch and cheer for their teams.”
Drinkwitz also questioned the timing of the rivalry’s messaging, noting that the game was played on September 11. He argued that the country needed unity and said Kansas’ decision to emphasize historical division was unnecessary.
Missouri Coach Criticizes Kansas Pregame Hype
Kansas’ pregame video reportedly portrayed Missouri as the villain while highlighting disagreements between the two states dating back to the Civil War. Drinkwitz called the tone of the production “bizarre” and said he was disappointed by the direction the rivalry had taken.
“Everybody’s got complicated pasts, and to make that an icon was bizarre to me,” Drinkwitz said. “This is about two teams playing football.”
The Missouri coach’s frustration was also visible during the final moments of the game. With the Tigers holding a decisive lead, Missouri threw toward the end zone before eventually running out the clock. Drinkwitz later acknowledged that he wanted to embarrass Kansas in response to the way the Jayhawks had promoted the matchup.
His comments did not end when the postgame news conference concluded. Drinkwitz continued the exchange on social media, responding to a Kansas post that described the programs as “right” and “wrong.”
“Man! Y’all are weird,” Drinkwitz wrote. “Winners WIN!!! I know that’s RIGHT!!!!!”
Drinkwitz Questions the Future of the Border War
The Missouri coach went even further when asked about the future of the rivalry. Missouri and Kansas are not scheduled to meet again until 2031 and 2032, leaving plenty of time for emotions surrounding Friday’s game to settle.
Drinkwitz said he did not care whether the matchup continued if Kansas intended to make it “deeper” than a football contest. He added that he would welcome the series if both teams focused on playing a competitive game and celebrating the rivalry’s place in college football.
“If they want to have a football game and play the football game, a great rivalry on the border, then awesome, let’s do it,” Drinkwitz said. “But if they want to make it deeper than that, we left Kansas bleeding again and call it good.”
The comments add another dramatic chapter to one of the most complicated rivalries in the sport. The Border War has long carried political, cultural and historical weight, but Friday’s dispute showed how differently the two programs view that legacy.
Kansas Takes a Different View After the Loss
Kansas coach Lance Leipold offered a more measured response. The Jayhawks lost both recent meetings with Missouri, making Friday’s defeat particularly disappointing, but Leipold defended the importance of the rivalry.
“It’s a good rivalry,” Leipold said. “And obviously we didn’t win either of these two. Disappointing, but I think these are things that help make college football what it is, and it’s a special game.”
Leipold’s comments suggest Kansas remains interested in preserving the Border War, even as the two programs prepare for a long break before their next scheduled meetings. For Missouri, the victory delivered momentum and bragging rights. For Kansas, it created another painful setback in a rivalry that continues to generate national attention.
The immediate outcome is clear: Missouri won 38-21, and Drinkwitz made his feelings known. The longer-term question is whether the Border War can return without the same arguments over history, symbolism and competitive identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Missouri vs. Kansas?
Missouri defeated Kansas 38-21 in the latest Border War matchup.
Why was Eli Drinkwitz upset with Kansas?
Drinkwitz criticized Kansas’ use of historical themes and its “right-versus-wrong” framing in promotional material for the rivalry game.
What is the Border War?
The Border War is the rivalry between Missouri and Kansas. Its history is connected to conflict between the two states before the Civil War.
When will Missouri and Kansas play again?
The programs are not scheduled to meet again until 2031 and 2032.
How did Kansas coach Lance Leipold respond?
Leipold called the matchup a good rivalry and said special games like the Border War help define college football.
