MU-KU, photo courtesy of MU photo archive The Missouri Tigers have a bye week then play the Kansas Jayhawks next Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.  While the game won’t determine the Big 12 North, it will still be a game with much fan interest.  On today’s Press Box Podcast, we talk about another important MU-KU game.

Before I discuss Missouri, November 19 th , a date that has a lot of ties to sports here in Missouri.  One in more of an indirect way.  Go back to 1978, a play in the NFL led to the start of teams using what is known as the victory formation.  Where three players surround the quarterback as he takes the snap, drops to one knee and runs out the clock ensuring his team a win.

That all came to be after the New York Giants lost a game to the Philadelphia Eagles in what is known as the "Miracle in the Meadowlands."  Dick Vermeil’s Eagles were trailing 17-12 when quarterback Ron Jaworski was picked off for the third time in that game.  With under a minute to go, the Giants took to the field with the win all sewn up. 

After quarterback Joe Pisarcik took the snap on first down he took a couple of steps and fell three yards back taking a loss and keeping the clock running with no-time outs for the Eagles to stop the clock.  The Giants offensive coordinator sent in a running play and Larry Csonka barreled forward for 11 yards.  Bringing up third down and short, the Giants were going to run the same play, but this time, the snap to Pisarcik was bad and he fumbled the ball.  A member of the Eagles secondary saw the ball come loose, scooped up the ball and ran it in for an Eagles touchdown and unbelievable win.  That Eagle who scored that touchdown…Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards.

As far as that MU-KU game?  Up until last year’s number one ranking in the nation, 1960 was the last time the Tigers were number one in the country and they lost to their rival the Kansas Jayhawks on November 19th ending their hopes of a national championship.  A person who was at the game, who can share great historic insight; Missourinet news director Bob Priddy.   

For more great stuff from Bob, make sure to check out his feature, Across Our Wide Missouri .

Download/listen to Press Box Podcast (13:30 mp3)