The University of Missouri has agreed to keep its football rivalry game with the University of Kansas in Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, through 2012, as announced jointly by the Chiefs, both schools and the Kansas City Sports Commission.
The nation’s oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi River (second-oldest in the nation overall) was moved to Arrowhead for the first time ever in 2007, and the game saw 4 th -ranked Mizzou upend 2 nd -ranked Kansas, 36-28 before 80,537 fans – the second-largest crowd in Arrowhead history. The two border rivals will meet this Saturday in Arrowhead for the 117 th time, with MU holding a 54-53-9 advantage in the previous 116 meetings. Kansas will serve as the host team in 2009 and 2011, while Missouri will entertain the Jayhawks in 2010 and 2012.
"We’re very excited about the opportunity to continue this great rivalry game in Arrowhead Stadium," said MU Director of Athletics Mike Alden. "Continuing this game in Kansas City helps increase the exposure to what we believe is one of the best rivalries in all of college athletics, and it furthers our mission of bringing the University of Missouri to the state and its supporters. We are very appreciative to Carl Peterson, the Hunt family and the Chiefs, and to the city of Kansas City for making this happen. We also move forward knowing that we will always protect having at least six home games each season for our Columbia community, and that will not change with this agreement," he said.
"We could play this game in a parking lot and it would mean everything to everyone involved, but when you play it in such a storied venue as Arrowhead Stadium, it only adds to the rivalry," said Head Coach Gary Pinkel. "We’re grateful to everyone involved who made this happen and we are excited to continue this great rivalry in Kansas City, which is such an important area for our football program," he said.
"This continues what everyone knows was the late Lamar Hunt’s dream," said Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson. "Without question this is a great positive for the Kansas City, Jackson County and Arrowhead Stadium.
"We sincerely appreciate the efforts of both schools’ administrations and athletic departments to make this happen," Peterson continued. "We believe the game held at Arrowhead benefits the universities, their students and student athletes, alumni and fans of both universities. Athletic directors Lew Perkins and Mike Alden have our thanks. Lamar would be very proud," he said.
"We are excited and pleased to have played a part in helping extend this wonderful new tradition in Kansas City," said Ken Hager, Chair of the (Greater) Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation. "The new Arrowhead Stadium will be a tremendous venue as we strive to surround this game with a number of activities for visiting fans and area residents to enjoy."