Kansas prepares for first ‘Border Showdown’ in Lawrence since 2005
· Yahoo Sports
LAWRENCE (KSNT) — The 'Border Showdown' returns to Lawrence, in its 122nd playing, for the first time in 21 years.
The rivalry was renewed last year, for the first time since 2011, when the Missouri Tigers took the 42-31 win.
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Head coach Lance Leipold was impressed with what he saw from the Tigers in their 54-14 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff last Thursday.
"[They're] well-coached, good football team, impressed with the quarterback, he got in rhythm right out of the gate, extremely accurate and confident," Leipold said. "[I'm] impressed with the receiver core again, excellent at tight end and athletic there. Defensively they're long, athletic in a lot of spots that can cause disruption."
While the goal this week, as always, is to come out with the win, everyone from players to coaching staff know this rivalry is about more than just football.
"It's different in the sense that this is rooted in American history... It's generations of wrongs that we had to correct as a country that are represented in this game," offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. "So, this is unlike any rivalry in the sense that it is very much rooted in political, civil rights... it's deep."
The 'Hawks know that fans can have a big impact on the outcome of the game this Friday.
"I think 'The Booth' will be rocking on Friday night, and it should be a great college atmosphere," Leipold said.
"Be early, be loud, pack 'The Booth,'" redshirt junior offensive lineman Amir Herring added. "It's a very intense rivalry so, [I'm] looking forward to Friday."
Kickoff for the 'Border Showdown' is set for 7 p.m.
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