The Greatest Win in Mizzou History

In anticipation of Friday's Greatest Win finals (that's right, I flipped the schedule around yet again...ain't I a stinker?), let's take a longer look at Finalist #1, 2007 Mizzou-Kansas.  Fitting that it comes during Kansas Week, eh?  Let's start with an expanded version of the game description you've been reading for the last month.

After decades of producing bad, to mediocre, to good, to occasionally very good results, Missouri and Kansas had simultaneously thrown together potentially their greatest seasons ever in 2007.  Missouri was 10-1 and ranked #3 in the country.  Kansas was 11-0 and ranked #2.  Both programs were riding sudden and shocking momentum late into November.  And did I mention, they were meeting at Arrowhead?  And that ESPN's Gameday crew was in attendance?  And that #1 LSU had lost the day before, meaning the MU-KU winner would move to #1 a week before the BCS Championship pairing was determined?

This was the biggest game in history for both schools, and they played like it early.  Two untouchable offenses were out of sync, trading three-and-outs at the start.  Midway through the first quarter, neither team had managed a first down, but when Jeremy Maclin struck with a long punt return to KU's 32, Mizzou was in prime position.  But after a personal foul on William Franklin, Mizzou had to settle for a 39-yard field goal attempt.  They faked it, with Tommy Saunders throwing a quick out to Franklin, but he was stopped by Chris Harris and Justin Thornton short of the first down, and the game remained scoreless.

After another KU punt, Mizzou finally got rolling.  An 11-play, 78-yard drive, assisted by a 20-yard pass to Danario Alexander and a 13-yarder to Saunders set Mizzou up with first-and-goal.  On fourth down from the 1, on the game's first huge play, Chase Daniel found Martin on a quick inside screen for the game's first touchdown.  With under a minute left in the first quarter, Mizzou led 7-0.

Kansas started the second quarter with their first good offensive play, a 39-yard pass to Kerry Meier, but going for the jugular on the next play, Todd Reesing underestimated William Moore, who stepped in front of a bomb to the endzone.

Thirteen plays (including some great runs by an on-his-game Tony Temple) and 98 yards later, Daniel had his Heisman moment, scrambling for seemingly minutes before finding Alexander for an 11-yard TD and a 14-0 lead.  Things were looking up for Missouri, and that didn't change when two potential KU drives ended in missed field goals.  What was supposed to be an offensive shootout was actually a bit of a grind, and Mizzou went to halftime up 14-0, just 30 minutes from their first #1 ranking in 47 years.

In the third quarter, Mizzou won the game.  Once again, Kansas drove to start the second half, but on third-and-nine from the Mizzou 16, Castine Bridges made a spinning interception of Todd Reesing and returned the ball 49 yards to KU's 40.  Nice rushes from Temple and freshman Derrick Washington, and a 10-yard pass to Franklin, set Mizzou up at KU's 1, and Jimmy Jackson barreled into the endzone.  21-0 Mizzou.

Finally, after spotting Mizzou a cushion, KU started to get untracked.  Dezmon Briscoe made an amazing, diving catch of a 34-yard Reesing pass, and Brandon McAnderson scored from one yard out, cutting Mizzou's lead to 21-7, but Mizzou's offense was clicking at this point.  Playing a bit of keep-away, Mizzou methodically drove 69 yards (in 14 plays and six minutes), converting three short third-down attempts and scoring on a short dump to Washington.  With 1:19 left in the third quarter, Mizzou was up 28-7.  They would have to hold onto that lead with all their might.

Whether it was a more conservative defense from Mizzou or just an angry, dialed-in KU offense, the Jayhawks were pretty much unstoppable in desperation mode.  They drove 65 yards in three minutes, and on fourth-and-two from the Mizzou 5, Todd Reesing bootlegged into the endzone to cut Mizzou's lead to 14.  Mizzou responded with a 10-play drive of their own but settled for a field goal.  Jeff Wolfert was thankfully automatic at this point, and Mizzou took a 31-14 lead with 9:55 remaining.  Tick, tock.

It took Kansas only 83 seconds to score again.  After a nice kickoff return by Marcus Herford, Reesing found Briscoe three times and found Kerry Meier on a gorgeous pass-and-catch to set up a Dexton Fields touchdown reception.  31-21, 8:28 left.

Of all the memorable plays in this game, potentially the single biggest came in the middle of Mizzou's ensuing drive.  KU was within 10 points and had momentum on their side.  After a holding penalty on Martin Rucker, MU faced a third-and-14 from their own 42 with under seven minutes to go.  In both of their finest hours, Daniel found Alexander once again, this time for 16 yards and a huge first down.  With new breath, Mizzou got another first down and set up Wolfert for a clutch, 43-yard field goal.  Mizzou was trading field goals for touchdowns, but they still led, 34-21, with just 3:31 remaining.

Once again, it took KU just 83 seconds to score. Reesing scrambled for seven yards on fourth-and-three from the Mizzou 33, then found Marcus Henry for a 5-yard touchdown.  Two minutes and three seconds remained, and Mizzou's lead was somehow down to six points, 34-28.  Every Mizzou fan in the stadium just knew that KU was going to recover the ensuing onside kick, but they did not.  Mizzou was unable to get a first down, but they made KU kill another timeout and ran the clock down under 30 seconds before having to punt.

Every Mizzou fan in the stadium just knew that KU was going to block the ensuing punt, but they did not.  Not only did Adam Crossett get off a lovely pooch kick to KU's 7, but Aqib Talib was able to return it for only four yards.  KU had 17 seconds to go 89 yards.  Here's where the Sports God would apply the biggest dagger ever to Mizzou hearts.  Somehow KU was going to win this game.

Nope.  The Mizzou defensive line blew up KU's offensive line and gang-tackled Todd Reesing in the endzone for the game-clinching safety (Mike Kelly's call: "Safety!  Ballgame!  Bingo!").  Sod Reesing was born, and Mizzou had just won the biggest game in the history of the rivalry.