The University of Missouri is gearing up to celebrate the centennial of Memorial Stadium this Saturday against Troy. Players will don retro jerseys while the school pays homage to the 1960 squad that was posthumously declared national champions. To give fans a sense of why this milestone matters, we’ve gathered the most memorable episodes that have unfolded on this field since its opening in 1926.
Rivalry games that defined eras
Rivalry matchups have generated the loudest roars in the stadium’s history. In September 2025 the Tigers reclaimed the Border War, beating Kansas 42-31 and renewing a rivalry that had lain dormant for years. Earlier, in 2003, Missouri snapped a 24-game losing streak against Nebraska; the victory sparked a goal-post demolition tradition that still echoes on homecoming. The 1939 triumph over No. 10 Nebraska (27-13) gave the Tigers its first win over a ranked opponent, while the 1973 nail-biter—13-12 over a No. 2 Nebraska—featured a last-second interception of a two-point conversion by Tony Gillick, avenging a 62-0 drubbing just a year earlier. Other standout rivalry moments include the 2005 41-24 rout of Nebraska, the 2010 36-27 upset of Oklahoma (followed by a goal-post parade to Harpo’s), the 1969 44-10 demolition of the Sooners after falling behind 10-0, the 1983 10-0 shutout, the 1996 overtime win over Oklahoma State (35-28) and the 1972 one-point victory over Iowa State that clinched a Fiesta Bowl berth.
Non-rivalry classics, record-setters and unforgettable antics
Memorial Stadium has also been the stage for a slew of eye-popping performances outside the traditional rival circle. In 2021, Missouri edged Florida 24-23 in overtime, securing a bowl-eligible season under first-year coach Eli Drinkwitz. The 2024 showdown with Vanderbilt featured Blake Craig’s three missed kicks followed by a clutch game-winner; Vanderbilt’s Brock Taylor’s lone miss of 20 career attempts inside 40 yards still haunts him. The 1948 upset of No. 4 SMU, the 2012 first SEC win over Kentucky, and Sarah Fuller’s historic appearance as Vanderbilt’s kicker (the first woman to play in a Power Five game) during a 41-0 loss are all catalogued as “cool” moments. Highlight-reel plays include Brad Smith’s 303-yard, four-touchdown showcase against Nebraska in 2005, Martin Rucker’s fake-field-goal trick play in 2007, Ahmad Hardy’s 300-yard rushing day versus Mississippi State, and the “Moe Miracle”—a 68-yard, game-winning run by T.J. Moe against San Diego State. The stadium also hosted non-football events such as Don Faurot’s inaugural victory over William Jewell and the 2015 return of football after campus protests.
The ten games that shaped a century of Memorial Stadium
When historians rank the most consequential contests, ten stand out. The inaugural 1926 showdown—Missouri 15, Kansas 0—bookended an unbeaten 5-1-2 season and marked the first victory over Kansas inside the new venue. In 1939 the Tigers, ranked No. 12, toppled No. 5 Oklahoma 7-6 on a blocked punt, propelling them to a Big Six championship. Don Faurot’s final coaching appearance in 1956 ended with a 15-13 win over Kansas via a last-second safety, and he was carried off the field by his players. The 1960 Kansas win (later vacated for using an ineligible player) denied Missouri an AP national title until the 2026 official recognition of the 1960 championship. The 1973 13-12 upset of No. 2 Nebraska featured the legendary Gillick interception. The 1990 “Fifth Down” loss to Colorado became a national controversy that reshaped the college-football title picture. The 1997 “Flea Kicker” OT thriller saw Nebraska barely escape a 45-38 defeat, another game that altered championship outcomes. Gary Pinkel’s 2003 41-24 victory over No. 10 Nebraska broke a 24-year drought and ignited a goal-post-theft tradition. Finally, the 2010 36-27 win over No. 1 Oklahoma underlined Missouri’s strategic prowess on the national stage. Each of these contests, whether victory or defeat, left an indelible mark on the stadium’s lore.
From rivalry fireworks to record-setting performances and historically charged matchups, the century-long saga of Memorial Stadium reads like a living archive of college-football drama. As the Tigers prepare to step onto the field in throwback gear, the echoes of these moments will no doubt reverberate, reminding every fan why this venue is more than concrete and seats—it is a monument to Missouri’s enduring spirit.
