Mizzou Looks Beyond Rivalry Hype During Kansas Week

The Border War is back – the 122nd edition will take place at 7 p.m. Friday in Lawrence. But for Mizzou, the history surrounding the Border War can only be dwelled on so much.

With this being the first road game of the season, head coach Eli Drinkwitz said his team’s focus has shifted away from the hype surrounding the rivalry and toward the details that will determine the outcome.

“We’re going to have to do a really good job of making in-game adjustments,” Drinkwitz said. “We’re going to have to be disciplined.”

Mizzou has spent the week learning about the significance of the rivalry, including hearing from former players and learning about the history behind the matchup. But Drinkwitz said that education is largely complete, leaving more time to figure out X’s and O’s.

Several areas are in need of improvement after its season-opening win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Drinkwitz specifically pointed to run defense, quarterback containment, handling pressure, protecting the quarterback and improving the rushing attack.

“There’s not going to be like this magic new speech that comes up before the game,” Drinkwitz said. “Our guys want to win because it means something to our football team.”

The message was similar from the players. Running back Jamal Roberts knows that this is the biggest rival of the program and a trophy game, but said the Tigers still have to approach it like any other game.

Friday will provide Mizzou with its first road environment of the season.

Drinkwitz said the Tigers attempted to simulate a road-game atmosphere during the preseason, but acknowledged that there are challenges to replicating something that carries so much weight.

Crowd noise and unfamiliar routines will test Mizzou’s ability to stay composed.

Offensive lineman Dominick Giudice said the road trip will reveal how locked in the team is away from home turf.

“You’re really just seeing where guys’ minds are at,” Giudice said.

Mizzou’s players also expect plenty of noise from the Kansas crowd. Defensive back Santana Banner said the Tigers have to keep their attention on the field rather than the talk coming from the sidelines or opponents.

“They can do all the yelling and talking crazy they want,” Banner said. “The people that are on that bus with us, that’s all that matters.”

One of Mizzou’s biggest areas of emphasis heading into Kansas is improving the rushing attack.

The Tigers struggled to consistently create openings against Arkansas-Pine Bluff early in the game, something Drinkwitz attributed in part to the way the defense attacked Missouri’s blocking schemes.

The answer, he said, will come from identifying defensive fronts and communicating adjustments faster.

Mizzou also faces a new challenge in its running back room following a season-ending non-contact ACL injury to Malae Fonoti.

Roberts now takes on an even greater leadership role with younger backs Xai’Shaun Edwards and Preston Hatfield expected to be contributors in a pinch, along with veteran Anthony Favrow.

Roberts said his job is to keep the younger players at the standard expected of the position.

The Tigers will also have to contend with Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall, who Drinkwitz described as a confident and effective passer who can create problems in the open field.

That dual-threat ability makes preparation particularly difficult.

“Every pass play becomes really a two-play part,” Drinkwitz said. “You have the pass play, which he’s an effective thrower, and then he can pull it down and become a runner.”

Mizzou will have to maintain disciplined rush lanes while simultaneously preventing Kansas from creating explosive plays through the air.

Drinkwitz also praised Kansas offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski for creating a scheme that makes defenses constantly question what is coming next.

With limited film available on Kansas’ new offense, Mizzou’s communication and ability to make adjustments during the game will be crucial.

Mizzou is likely to receive a significant boost to the offensive line with Cayden Green progressing toward a return. College football analyst Pete Thamel announced earlier today that Green is going to return, but Drinkwitz didn’t confirm that he’s ready yet.

Green practiced for roughly three-quarters of Tuesday’s practice and came out of the session feeling good, according to Drinkwitz. The coaching staff plans to evaluate how he responds to his practice workload before determining his availability.

Ahmad Hardy, meanwhile, remains out of practice while continuing his rehabilitation. The earliest he’s expected back at this point is for Mississippi State on Sept. 26.

The Tigers also lost Fonoti for the season, leaving Mizzou thinner at running back heading into its first road test.

Still, the message from Drinkwitz and his players remained consistent.

The Border War may provide the backdrop, but Mizzou seems solely focused on execution.