description Border War Overview
The Border War is a historic athletic rivalry between the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri. The competition has deep historical roots in the violent Civil War-era conflicts known as Bleeding Kansas, which took place along the states' shared border in the 1850s and 1860s. The primary manifestation of the rivalry was the college football series, which began in 1891 and was played annually for over a century. Although the football series paused when Missouri left the Big 12 Conference in 2012, the animosity remains significant in college sports.
help Border War FAQ
Why is the Kansas-Missouri rivalry called the Border War?
The name reflects the violent Kansas-Missouri border conflict of the 1850s and the Civil War, including Bleeding Kansas and Quantrill's 1863 raid on Lawrence. That history gives the sporting rivalry a significance far older than either university's athletic program.
When did Kansas and Missouri first play football?
The schools first met in football in 1891, making the matchup one of the oldest college rivalries west of the Mississippi River. Disagreement over the historical record means the universities have not always published identical series totals.
Why did the annual Border War stop after 2011?
Regular conference competition ended when Missouri left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012. The move interrupted annual meetings in major sports even though both schools remained geographically close.
Did Kansas and Missouri ever resume the rivalry in basketball?
Yes. The men's basketball series resumed in December 2021 after a decade without a regular-season meeting. Games between the Jayhawks and Tigers again draw heavily on the longstanding Border War identity.
explore Explore More
Similar to Border War
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
