Eternal Bragging Rights

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the most important matchup between Missouri and Kansas of all time, across any sport. The day Mizzou would earn the number one ranking in college football. The day “Sod Reesing” was born. 

The number three ranked Tigers and the number two Jayhawks played in Kansas City, the epicenter of MU-KU fandom rivalry. With number one LSU losing earlier in the day, the gravity and lasting importance leading up to this game cannot be overstated. Neither team traditional football powerhouses, fans of both schools knew this situation would never be repeated. A must-win game would be putting it lightly. Eternal bragging rights were on the line, and I was there.

Mizzou jumped out to a large early lead, but Kansas came roaring back in the second half and had a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter, until the Tigers’ defense served KU QB Todd Reesing a Thanksgiving feast of his own end zone turf on their final offensive play of the game.

As part of promoting the following season, I designed this Hollywood blockbuster-inspired poster to fire up the fanbase. We set up a backdrop in the Tigers’ locker room with three future NFL players (Chase Daniel is currently in his 14th season) and added a shot of the stadium as the background. It made more of a local impact in Columbia than I had ever anticipated, popping up in iconic restaurants around town and remaining for several seasons. When we were house hunting years later, I spotted it on the walls of several home photo galleries. Sadly, the 2008 season didn’t reach the heights of the prior year, but Mizzou fans enjoyed two of the winningest years in its program, packed with unforgettable players and moments. Armageddon at Arrowhead was undisputedly at the top.

Several easter eggs in the fine print. Check ’em out!