Isaiah Marshall broke open his first Kansas start with completions of 46 yards to Nik McMillan and 47 yards to Nahzae Cox, each setting up a rushing touchdown. He later found McMillan for a 19-yard score before halftime. Kansas beat Long Island University (LIU) 51-6, and Marshall finished 14-of-19 for 246 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 49 rushing yards.
That last zero needs an asterisk. One Marshall pass went through the hands of LIU defender Martavius Durden Jr.; linebacker Jackson Barry deflected another before Tate Nagy caught it for a touchdown. LIU let both mistakes disappear. Missouri may turn either one into the possession that decides Friday night.
That is the tension to carry into the Border Showdown. Enjoy the new quarterbackâs explosiveness, but watch whether he knows when the available throw is good enough. The model gives Kansas a 40% chance to win, which makes the Jayhawks a live home underdog rather than a team that needs a miracle. Kansas and Missouri kick off Friday at 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
The opener gave Kansas possibilities, not proof
McMillan, a Buffalo transfer, immediately gave Marshall a downfield partner with six catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. Syracuse transfer Yasin Willis supplied 72 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Their production matters because Kansas did not spend the opener waiting for its newcomers to find roles; two of them became central pieces immediately.
The rushing work also extended well beyond Willis. Kansas gained 277 yards across nine ball carriers, with four different Jayhawks scoring on the ground. That distribution gives Andy Kotelnicki options if Missouri takes away Marshallâs first answer.
Kotelnicki used a relatively plain plan against LIU, showing little of his characteristic presnap motion and leaning often on straightforward power concepts. Yet Kansas still totaled 336 receiving yards and 277 rushing yards. Against Missouri, that motion and misdirection need to give Marshall clear throws before Kansas falls into third-and-long and asks its new starter to rescue the possession.
LIU was an overmatched FCS opponent that Kansas was heavily expected to beat, so the 51 points establish a promising baseline rather than an answer about how this offense handles FBS pressure. Friday can validate the explosiveness without requiring another avalanche of yards. Fewer dangerous throws, manageable third downs and one composed late possession would say more.
Last year explains why the finish matters
Missouri erased a 21-6 first-quarter Kansas lead in the 2025 renewal, then came back again after the Jayhawks went ahead 31-28 in the fourth. Brett Norfleetâs 27-yard touchdown catch on fourth down put the Tigers ahead with 4:14 remaining, and Jamal Roberts added a 63-yard touchdown run after a Kansas three-and-out to complete a 42-31 Missouri win.
That collapse belonged to a larger problem. Kansas finished 5-7 despite outscoring its 2025 opponents 337-321 overall because the Jayhawks were outscored 91-49 in fourth quarters. LIU could not recreate that strain; Missouri can. If Friday reaches the final period within one possession, Marshallâs judgment, Kansasâ situational defense and the offenseâs ability to answer after a setback become the game.
The setting makes this chance unusually scarce. Kansas and Missouri are playing in Lawrence for the first time since the Jayhawks won 13-3 there in 2005, and Kansas has won seven of the past eight meetings played in Lawrence. A generation of home crowds has missed this game. This one gets to answer last seasonâs ending in the place where Kansas has historically been strongest against Missouri.
Check the replacements as closely as the stars
Kansas may also enter the rivalry asking new depth to survive a much harsher assignment. Starting weak-side linebacker Bam Crouch hurt his shoulder on the fourth defensive play against LIU and had not practiced by September 7. Quincy Davis replaced him first, made five tackles and has been cross-trained at both linebacker positions. If Crouch cannot go, Davis has to turn an encouraging emergency appearance into reliable work against Missouri.
Starting slot receiver Cam Pickett missed the opener with a preseason injury. Pickett returned to practice by September 7, but Lance Leipold said he still had progress to make and did not confirm his Missouri availability. Tate Nagy caught three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown in Pickettâs absence, while Keaton Kubecka took 24 slot snaps and caught one pass for eight yards. Watch whether Kansas can preserve the middle-of-the-field options that make Marshallâs safer decisions easier, regardless of which of the three gets the snaps.
Kansas recorded 11 tackles for loss and three sacks against LIU; Leroy Harris III led the way with four tackles for loss, and David Santiago forced and recovered a third-quarter fumble. If the front can pressure Missouri without extra rushers, Kansas can protect its replacement linebackers and give Marshall more possessions without forcing him to chase the score.
There is no secondary scoreboard assignment this week. Missouri is the whole board, and the interactive guide reflects that. The methodology explains how the simulation sets that 40% expectation.
Kansas does not need Marshall to become a finished quarterback by Friday night. It needs the explosive version from the opener to recognize the throws Missouri wants him to force, and, if the rivalry again reaches the fourth quarter, to keep the Jayhawks in control of the ending.