Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz intensified the rivalry with Kansas, calling the opponent's pre-game hype video "embarrassing" and "uncalled for" following his team's 38-21 victory in their Week 2 college football matchup. The Border War, one of college football's most historic rivalries with roots in the American Civil War, saw Kansas release a video referencing that violent history and stating, "There's right and wrong. Kansas and Missouri." The video was played inside the stadium before the game.
"I was disappointed in the rivalry, the turn that it took today. I thought that was uncalled for," Drinkwitz stated in his postgame press conference. "I'm just glad that this whole right versus wrong bullcrap that was started just got settled on a football field, because it's a football game. It's an American football game that people love to come watch and cheer for their teams. It's not even deeper than that. I get there's a past to it, but why are we stirring that bullcrap up?"
Drinkwitz added that the video "added extra fuel" and made him "want to embarrass them" during the game, ultimately declaring his team "left Kansas bleeding again." He expressed disappointment that the video was played, especially on the anniversary of 9/11, stating, "This country needs unity now more than ever. I was embarrassed for them, to be honest, and that's why I tried to embarrass them at the end."
Following the game, Drinkwitz was observed leaving a television interview abruptly when a brief scuffle broke out. He was heard instructing individuals to prevent Missouri players from planting a flag on the field, while other players were seen celebrating with Kansas's drums.
Kansas head coach Lance Leipold, when asked about Drinkwitz's comments regarding running up the score, stated he was unaware of them but acknowledged it was Drinkwitz's prerogative to coach his team as he saw fit. "He wants to keep trying to score. That's his prerogative. It's our job to try to stop it," Leipold said.
Leipold reflected on the game, noting the difference from their previous matchup against Missouri. "This one, it's different. I felt really good going into halftime. We were in a really good spot, and then of course we're in those situations. You're down a couple scores, and you got 4th and 33, and it's going to snowball on you," he said. "Here we are with the ball, and we're down 10 or whatever, and we're trying to make something happen."
Missouri, now 2-0, is scheduled to host Troy next Saturday before commencing their SEC schedule. Kansas will travel to London to face Arizona State in a Week 3 Big 12 conference game.
