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Battle Line Rivalry
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| First meeting | November 10, 1906 Missouri, 11–0 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | November 29, 2025 Missouri, 31–17 |
| Next meeting | October 31, 2026 |
| Trophy | Battle Line Trophy |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 17 |
| All-time series | Missouri leads, 12–4[1] |
| Trophy series | Missouri leads, 10–2 |
| Largest victory | Missouri, 38–0 (2018) |
| Longest win streak | Missouri, 5 (2016–2020) |
| Current win streak | Missouri, 4 (2022–present) |
The Battle Line Rivalry is the name given to the Arkansas–Missouri football rivalry due to the state line between the two states dividing the North and South during the Civil War.[2] It is an American college football rivalry game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Missouri Tigers.[3] The teams have met fifteen times, between November 1906 and November 2023. They have faced off twice in bowl games, first in the 2003 Independence Bowl and second in the 2008 Cotton Bowl Classic. The rivalry was formally introduced in 2014, and the Battle Line trophy was first awarded in 2015.
History
[edit]Pre-SEC era
[edit]The first meeting between the Razorbacks and Tigers was in 1906. Missouri won 11–0 in Columbia, Missouri.[4] The two teams played each other in out of conference, regular season games in 1906, 1944, and 1963. They have met in bowl games twice.
SEC era
[edit]Missouri leads the series 9–2 since the schools began playing as SEC foes in 2014. The teams did not play in 2012 and 2013, the first two years Missouri was a member of the conference.
Starting in 2015, the winner of the game received a silver trophy outlining the states of Missouri and Arkansas with the words "Battle Line" on the border between the states.[5] In 2014, Missouri's victory gave them a spot in the SEC Championship. The series was played on Black Friday from 2014 to 2019, with the 2020 edition scheduled for the week after due to scheduling complications from the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
The location of the games changes every year between Fayetteville, Arkansas in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and Columbia, Missouri on Faurot Field.
Missouri won the first meeting as SEC opponents 21–14 in Columbia. In the first game that the trophy was on the line, the Razorbacks won 28–3. The Tigers captured the trophy for the first time in 2016, overcoming a 24–7 halftime deficit to win 28–24 in Columbia. In 2017 the Tigers kept the trophy winning 48–45 on a last second 19-yard field goal by kicker Tucker McCann.
Prior to 2014, Arkansas played LSU in the Battle for the Golden Boot in its regular season finale every year since joining the SEC in 1992. LSU played Texas A&M in its regular season finale until 2024, when Oklahoma became their new season finale opponents due to the renewal of A&M's rivalry game with the Texas Longhorns. Missouri faced the Aggies to close the 2012 and 2013 regular seasons in a continuation of the former Big 12 Conference series.
Arkansas will bring the game back to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock in alternating years when the Razorbacks are hosting the Tigers, from 2019 to 2024.[7][8] A year later, Missouri and the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to move the rivalry game in 2020 to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.[9][10] Due to concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 game was moved back to Columbia instead of Kansas City. Due to contract negotiations falling through between the University of Arkansas and the owners of War Memorial Stadium, the 2021–2024 games have all been moved back to Fayetteville.[11]
Game results
[edit]| Arkansas victories | Missouri victories | Tie games |
| No. | Date | Location | Winner | Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 10, 1906 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 11–0 | ||||
| 2 | September 23, 1944 | St. Louis, MO | Arkansas | 7–6 | ||||
| 3 | September 28, 1963 | Little Rock, AR | Missouri | 7–6 | ||||
| 4 | December 31, 2003 | Shreveport, LA | Arkansas | 27–14 | ||||
| 5 | January 1, 2008 | Dallas, TX | No. 7 Missouri | 38–7 | ||||
| 6 | November 28, 2014 | Columbia, MO | No. 17 Missouri | 21–14 | ||||
| 7 | November 27, 2015 | Fayetteville, AR | Arkansas | 28–3 | ||||
| 8 | November 25, 2016 | Columbia, MO | None | 28–24 | ||||
| 9 | November 24, 2017 | Fayetteville, AR | Missouri | 48–45 | ||||
| 10 | November 23, 2018 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 38–0 | ||||
| 11 | November 29, 2019 | Little Rock, AR | Missouri | 24–14 | ||||
| 12 | December 5, 2020 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 50–48 | ||||
| 13 | November 26, 2021 | Fayetteville, AR | No. 25 Arkansas | 34–17 | ||||
| 14 | November 25, 2022 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 29–27 | ||||
| 15 | November 24, 2023 | Fayetteville, AR | No. 8 Missouri | 48–14 | ||||
| 16 | November 30, 2024 | Columbia, MO | No. 21 Missouri | 28–21 | ||||
| 17 | November 29, 2025 | Fayetteville, AR | Missouri | 31–17 | ||||
| Series: Missouri leads 12–4[1] | ||||||||
| * Missouri vacated all wins from the 2015 and 2016 seasons due to NCAA action.[12] | ||||||||
Notable games
[edit]1906 – First meeting
[edit]Missouri 11, Arkansas 0
The first meeting between Arkansas and Missouri took place on November 10, 1906, and finished 11 to 0 in favor of Missouri. The game was played in Columbia, Missouri. Missouri, under head coach W.J. Monilaw (in his first season as head coach at Missouri), entered the game 4–1. Arkansas, under head coach Frank Longman (in his first season as head coach at Arkansas), entered the game 1–3–1.[13]
1944 – Season opener
[edit]Arkansas 7, Missouri 6
The meeting which was held on September 23, 1944, ended with a 7–6 Arkansas victory. The game was the season opener for both teams and it was a neutral site game played in St. Louis, Missouri. Arkansas was coached by Glen Rose (1st season) and would finish 5–5–1. Missouri was coached by Chauncey Simpson and would finish 3–5–2.[14]
2003 – Independence Bowl
[edit]| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razorbacks | 3 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
| Tigers | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Arkansas 27, Missouri 14
Arkansas and Missouri met in a bowl game for the first time on December 31, 2003, in the Independence Bowl played in Shreveport, Louisiana. Arkansas was coached by Houston Nutt (6th season) and Missouri was coached by Gary Pinkel (3rd season). Missouri ended the first quarter leading 7–3, but the Hogs scored 18 unanswered points and led 21–7 at half. Arkansas led 24–14 after three quarters and scored a field goal in the fourth quarter to win 27–14. Arkansas RB Cedric Cobbs was the game's offensive MVP (141 yds, 1 TD).[15]
2008 – Cotton Bowl
[edit]| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigers | 7 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 38 |
| Razorbacks | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Missouri 38, Arkansas 7
The 2008 Cotton Bowl Classic saw Arkansas meet Missouri for the fifth time. Arkansas entered #25 and 8–4 under Reggie Herring and Missouri entered as co-Big 12 North champions; 11–2 and #7 under Gary Pinkel. Missouri RB Tony Temple found the end zone twice in the first half, from 22 and 4 yards out, and Missouri lead 14–0 at half. Temple scored again in the third quarter, from 4 yards out. Missouri took a 28–0 lead in the third quarter when William Moore returned an interception for 26 yards and a touchdown. Darren McFadden capped a 71-yard Hogs drive with a 3-yard TD run to make it 28–7. A Jeff Wolfert 32-yard field goal made it 31–7 Missouri with 10:25 in the 4th, and a 40-yard TD run from Tony Temple made it 38–7 Missouri. Tony Temple set the Cotton Bowl record with 281 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.[16]
2014 – SEC Conference debut
[edit]| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razorbacks | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Tigers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 15 | 21 |
Missouri 21, Arkansas 14
In their first meeting since 2008, the Tigers were one conference victory away from clinching the SEC East. The Razorbacks were coming into Columbia off a 2-game run on which they shut out two ranked teams. This game marked the first conference meeting between the two schools. Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams scored the first points on a 23-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Brandon Allen almost 9 minutes into the game. Less than a minute into the second quarter, Missouri kicker Andrew Baggett made a 52-yard field goal, narrowing the Arkansas lead to 4. With 7 minutes left in the half, Brandon Allen threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keon Hatcher, raising the lead to 14–3. To end the half, Baggett made his second 50 plus yard field goal of the game causing the halftime score to be 14–6 Arkansas. To start the fourth quarter after an uneventful third, Missouri QB Maty Mauk threw a 4-yard TD pass to WR Jimmie Hunt. With the successful two-point conversion, the game was tied at 14 with 12 minutes left. With 4 minutes left in the game, Missouri RB Marcus Murphy scored a 12-yard touchdown run. Arkansas failed to score, giving Missouri the victory 21–14. Mizzou received the first Battle Line Rivalry Trophy, but a new trophy with a replaceable "Battle Line" was introduced the next year and that trophy has been passed back and forth since.[17][18]
2015 – Current Battle Line Trophy debut
[edit]| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Razorbacks | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
Arkansas 28, Missouri 3
The current Battle Line trophy was at stake for the first time on November 27, 2015. The teams played in Fayetteville for the first time, making Fayetteville the sixth location in seven meetings between the teams. Arkansas entered 6–5 under Bret Bielema and Missouri entered 5–6 under Gary Pinkel, who announced his resignation—effective at the end of the season—prior to the game. Arkansas opened the scoring with two seconds left in the first quarter on a 4-yard run by running back Alex Collins. Collins scored from 7 yards out in the second quarter to give the Hogs a 14–0 lead. Missouri converted a 63-yard drive into a 35-yard Andrew Baggett field goal, making it 14–3 Hogs. Collins scored a third time from 25 yards out in the late second quarter, with the score now at 21–3. The final score of the game came with 2:15 in the third quarter, as Kody Walker found the end zone from 9 yards out to make it 28–3. Missouri found themselves in a 4th-and-10 at the UA 33 with 2:35 in the 4th, but Missouri quarterback Drew Lock threw an interception (picked off by Josh Liddell) to seal the game. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 28–3, closing Pinkel's 15-year tenure at Mizzou.[17][19]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Winsipedia – Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Missouri Tigers football series history". Winsipedia.
- ^ Brantley, Max (November 29, 2014). "About that Battle Line Rivalry: Why not a Bootheel trophy?".
- ^ Matter, Dave. “Tigers, Hogs Still Building a Football Rivalry.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, July 11, 2017, p. B6.
- ^ "Tigers, Razorbacks Renew Rivalry on Black Friday". University of Missouri. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ^ "Battle Line Rivalry Trophy Unveiled For Annual Missouri-Arkansas Games". arkansasrazorbacks.com. University of Arkansas. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
- ^ "Razorbacks to travel to Missouri Dec. 5, Bama game TBA". Arkansas Razorbacks. November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ "Arkansas To Continue Playing In Little Rock". 5NewsOnline, KFSM. May 17, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ "Arkansas Razorbacks to play Missouri in Little Rock every other year, sources tell KATV". KATV. May 16, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ "Mizzou to face Arkansas at Arrowhead Stadium for annual 'Battle Line Rivalry' in 2020". Fox4KC. August 27, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "Mizzou, Arkansas rivalry game moved to Arrowhead for 2020". KSHB. August 27, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "Mizzou opens 2020 season vs. Alabama, will allow fans to attend games at Faurot Field". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ "2023 Football Quick Facts". University of Missouri Athletics. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ “Arkansas Claims Most Foul Play.” The Daily Arkansas Democrat, November 11, 1906, p. 13.
- ^ Stockton, J Roy. “Missouri Bows to Arkansas, 7–6; Porker Score on Blocked Punt.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, September 24, 1944, p. 16A.
- ^ Coats, Bill. “Hogs Ride High on MU.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, February 1, 2004, p. D1.
- ^ Watson, Graham. “Defense Also Is Razor Sharp in Victory.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, January 2, 2008, pp. D1–D5.
- ^ a b Matter, Dave. “Rivalry Renewed.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, November 24, 2017, pp. B1–B5.
- ^ Matter, Dave. “Baggett Is Mizzou's Unsung Hero.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, November 29, 2014, p. B4.
- ^ "Missouri vs. Arkansas – Game Summary – November 27, 2015 – ESPN". ESPN.com.
Battle Line Rivalry
View on GrokipediaBackground
Participating Teams
The University of Arkansas, founded in 1871 as a land-grant institution in Fayetteville, Arkansas, supports the Razorbacks football program, which commenced intercollegiate competition in 1894.[6][7] The team transitioned to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) on July 1, 1991, following its tenure in the Southwest Conference.[8] Among its notable accomplishments, the Razorbacks claim a national championship for the 1964 season, during which they achieved an undefeated 11–0 record under head coach Frank Broyles and secured a 10–7 victory over Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl Classic.[9] The program has also earned multiple bowl game triumphs, contributing to its legacy of competitive success. In 2024, the Razorbacks finished 7–6 overall (3–5 SEC) and won the Liberty Bowl. The University of Missouri, established in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi River in Columbia, Missouri, fields the Tigers football team, which began play in 1890.[10] Previously a charter member of the Big 12 Conference, the Tigers joined the SEC effective July 1, 2012.[11] Key achievements include a claimed national championship in 1960, recognized by some selectors for an 11–0 season, and a 38–7 triumph over Arkansas in the 2008 Cotton Bowl Classic. The program has produced strong performers in the SEC, such as wide receiver Luther Burden III, who earned consensus All-American honors in 2023. In 2024, the Tigers finished 10–3 overall (5–3 SEC), achieved a No. 22 ranking in the final AP poll, and won the Music City Bowl. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Razorbacks hold an all-time record of 722–535–37, with 13 Southwest Conference championships and no Heisman Trophy winners, though running back Darren McFadden placed second in voting in both 2006 and 2007.[7][12] The Tigers' all-time mark stands at 689–566–50 through 2024, featuring 12 conference titles and no Heisman recipients, but with consistent contention in recent SEC seasons, including two division championships since 2012.[13] Their mutual SEC affiliation has enabled annual rivalry games since Missouri's arrival.[11]Historical Context
The Battle Line Rivalry between the University of Arkansas and the University of Missouri draws its name from the historical "battle line" along the Missouri-Arkansas border, which divided Union and Confederate sympathies during the American Civil War. Arkansas seceded from the Union in May 1861 and joined the Confederacy, contributing troops and resources to the Southern cause despite internal divisions that led some residents to support the Union.[14] In contrast, Missouri remained a Union border state with deeply divided loyalties; while officially aligned with the North, its southern regions harbored strong Confederate sympathies, resulting in guerrilla warfare and over 1,100 battles within the state, many spilling across the border into Arkansas.[15] This border tension, marked by raids and shifting allegiances, symbolized a broader cultural and political fault line that the rivalry's moniker evokes, including inspiration for the trophy's Civil War-era cannon design. Geographically, the universities in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Columbia, Missouri, are approximately 296 miles apart by road, close enough to foster regional competition in the Ozarks and surrounding areas.[16] As flagship public institutions, both prioritize in-state recruiting, drawing heavily from their respective populations and creating stakes in regional talent battles; Arkansas serves a predominantly rural state with a population of about 3 million, while Missouri's larger base of 6 million includes urban centers like St. Louis and Kansas City, contributing to perceptions of contrasting fanbase identities—rural heartland versus Midwestern urban.[5] Historical border demarcations have added layers to this proximity, with disputes over the Missouri Bootheel's shape in the 19th century altering the southeastern boundary and reflecting early territorial tensions between the states.[17] Before the rivalry's formal annual status in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), interactions between the programs were limited, shaped by differing conference affiliations that minimized matchups. Arkansas competed in the Southwest Conference from 1915 to 1991 before joining the SEC, while Missouri was a charter member of the Big Eight Conference (later Big 12) from 1896 until its 2012 move to the SEC, resulting in only sporadic football meetings—five in total prior to the conference realignment.[18] This pre-SEC history underscored a shared Mid-South heritage without frequent on-field clashes, allowing cultural stereotypes to simmer through alumni networks and regional media portrayals of the schools as representatives of their states' identities.[19]Historical Meetings
Pre-SEC Era
The Battle Line Rivalry between the University of Missouri Tigers and the University of Arkansas Razorbacks began with infrequent non-conference matchups in the early 20th century, reflecting the teams' separate regional affiliations prior to any shared league structure. Missouri competed in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (later the Big Eight), while Arkansas was part of the Southwest Conference, limiting opportunities for regular-season play. These early games, spanning nearly six decades, were characterized by long intervals and low-scoring outcomes typical of the progressive era of college football, where defensive strategies and limited offensive innovations dominated.[4] The inaugural meeting occurred on November 10, 1906, in Columbia, Missouri, where the host Tigers secured an 11–0 shutout victory over the Razorbacks. This low-scoring affair exemplified the era's emphasis on run-heavy offenses and robust defenses, with Missouri's ground game providing all the points in a contest attended by a modest crowd reflective of the sport's nascent popularity in the region. The game marked Arkansas's first venture into intercollegiate football against a Midwestern opponent, but the lack of geographic or conference ties ensured no immediate rematch.[20][4] Nearly four decades passed before the teams met again amid the constraints of World War II, which disrupted college athletics through military service and travel restrictions. On September 23, 1944, the Razorbacks edged the Tigers 7–6 in a neutral-site season opener at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri. Arkansas secured the upset win when Clyde Young blocked a Missouri punt in the final minutes, setting up a touchdown and his successful point-after conversion to provide the margin of victory. This thriller, played before 8,500 spectators, highlighted the Razorbacks' resilience under first-year coach Glen Rose, as both teams navigated wartime rosters depleted by enlistments.[21][22] The series resumed after another 19-year hiatus with a September 28, 1963, matchup at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas, a neutral venue selected to accommodate regional fan interest. Missouri claimed a 7–6 defensive struggle, holding off a late Razorbacks push to preserve the win in a game that underscored the rarity of such cross-conference scheduling in the mid-20th century. Under coach Dan Devine, the Tigers improved to 2–1 in the all-time series with this narrow triumph, as both programs prioritized in-conference rivals amid expanding national schedules.[23][24][4] Through these three pre-SEC encounters, Missouri held a 2–1 advantage, with the prolonged gaps—38 years from 1906 to 1944 and 19 years to 1963—stemming directly from the absence of a common conference, which kept the teams on divergent paths until postseason opportunities later emerged.[4]Bowl Game Encounters
The Battle Line Rivalry between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Missouri Tigers has featured two notable postseason encounters prior to Missouri's entry into the Southeastern Conference in 2012. These bowl games, occurring in neutral-site settings, provided rare high-stakes meetings that highlighted the geographic proximity and untapped potential of the matchup between the border-state programs. In the 2003 Independence Bowl, held on December 31 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, the ninth-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Missouri Tigers 27–14 under head coach Houston Nutt.[25] Arkansas, finishing the season 9–4 after entering at 8–4, snapped a three-game bowl losing streak with a dominant ground attack that amassed 300 rushing yards—a bowl record at the time.[26] Running back Cedric Cobbs earned MVP honors, rushing for 141 yards and two touchdowns, including a pivotal 41-yard score that extended the lead to 21–7 in the third quarter following a Missouri three-and-out.[27] This victory capped a strong finish for Nutt's Razorbacks, who had gone 2–3 in Southeastern Conference play but showcased resilience in the postseason against an 8–5 Missouri squad led by first-year head coach Gary Pinkel.[28] The teams renewed their postseason acquaintance in the 2008 Cotton Bowl Classic on January 1 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, where the Tigers exacted revenge with a decisive 38–7 rout of the Razorbacks.[29] Missouri, concluding an 11–2 campaign as Big 12 North Division champions after a 36–28 regular-season win over rival Kansas but a 38–17 loss to Oklahoma in the conference title game, improved to 12–2 with the victory before a crowd of 73,114.[30][31] Despite gusty winds limiting the passing game—quarterback Chase Daniel completed 12 of 29 attempts for 136 yards and one interception—the Tigers' offense exploded on the ground, with running back Tony Temple setting Cotton Bowl records with 281 rushing yards and four touchdowns, including a 22-yard score on the opening drive.[32] Arkansas, who had struggled to a 3–5 SEC mark en route to an 8–5 finish under interim coach Reggie Herring after Houston Nutt's midseason departure, managed just 197 total yards in the lopsided defeat.[33] These isolated bowl clashes, the only postseason meetings in the series history, served as precursors to the formalized annual rivalry, generating regional buzz and underscoring the competitive contrast between the programs—Missouri's breakout season culminating in a top-four national ranking versus Arkansas's uneven SEC performance.[34] The games revived interest in the dormant border matchup, setting the stage for its escalation upon Missouri's SEC arrival.[1]SEC Era
The SEC era of the Battle Line Rivalry began following Missouri's addition to the Southeastern Conference on July 1, 2012, placing the Tigers in the East Division alongside traditional rivals while Arkansas remained in the West Division. This realignment, driven by conference expansion amid shifting Big 12 alignments, set the stage for annual matchups starting in 2014 to foster regional competition between the bordering states. The inaugural SEC game occurred on November 28, 2014, in Columbia, Missouri, where the Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 21–14, clinching the East Division title in a defensive battle that highlighted the rivalry's potential.[11] Since 2014, the teams have alternated sites annually, typically during Thanksgiving weekend, with occasional neutral-site exceptions like the 2019 game in Little Rock, Arkansas (Missouri 24–14 win). Through the 2024 season, the series has featured 11 meetings, with Missouri holding a dominant 9–2 record, including a perfect 6–0 mark in home games at Faurot Field, underscoring the Tigers' stronghold advantage in Columbia. The 2024 SEC realignment, which eliminated divisions upon the addition of Oklahoma and Texas, preserved the annual status through protected rivalries, ensuring the Battle Line remains a fixture in the expanded 16-team league's scheduling model.[35] The rivalry has enhanced SEC scheduling by providing a consistent late-season intraconference game that boosts regional engagement, with attendance regularly exceeding 60,000—such as 62,621 for the 2024 matchup in Columbia amid challenging weather. Fan travel benefits from the states' shared border, facilitating strong turnouts from both fanbases and contributing to economic impacts in host cities. Coaching stability has further defined the era, with Eli Drinkwitz taking over at Missouri in 2019 and Sam Pittman arriving at Arkansas the same year, leading to competitive clashes that have elevated the series' intensity despite Missouri's edge.[36]Battle Line Trophy
Design and Symbolism
The Battle Line Trophy debuted in 2015 to commemorate the annual Southeastern Conference (SEC) football game between the University of Missouri and the University of Arkansas, marking the formal establishment of the rivalry's trophy tradition.[37] The trophy was designed by Arkansas native and former Razorback football student-athlete David Bazzel. Named for the historical "battle line" along the shared state border, it draws inspiration from 19th-century conflicts, particularly the American Civil War, during which the border separated Union-leaning Missouri from Confederate-aligned Arkansas.[34] The trophy's design features a large silver sculpture over four feet tall, depicting the outlines of the Missouri and Arkansas state borders fused together, with an interchangeable central border insert that signifies the current possessor.[37] Weighing approximately 180 to 200 pounds, it is constructed primarily of silver-plated steel, with the insert—measuring about 25 pounds—crafted to swap in under 30 seconds and featuring the engraved words "Battle Line" in either gold (for Missouri) or cardinal red (for Arkansas) based on the game's outcome.[38] The insert bears the engraved words "Battle Line," emphasizing the rivalry's theme, and the trophy is presented to the winning team immediately following the contest.[37] Symbolically, the trophy honors the geographic and historical ties between the two states without endorsing violence, representing the enduring "battle line" of their shared 280-mile border that once demarcated divided allegiances in the Civil War era.[34] Missouri, as a border state that remained in the Union despite internal divisions, contrasted with Arkansas, which seceded to join the Confederacy in 1861, making their frontier a site of frequent skirmishes and a potent emblem of regional tension and resilience.[37] This design fosters a sense of mutual heritage and competitive spirit among fans, transforming historical friction into a celebratory element of modern college football.[39]Award History
The Battle Line Trophy debuted in 2015, when the University of Arkansas defeated the University of Missouri 28–3 to claim initial possession of the award.[4] Missouri reclaimed the trophy the following year with a narrow 28–24 victory and held it through a dominant five-game winning streak from 2016 to 2020, including a high-scoring 50–48 win in the streak's final contest.[4] Arkansas interrupted Missouri's run in 2021, winning 34–17 and returning the trophy to Fayetteville for the second time in the series.[40] Missouri then regained control in 2022 with a 29–27 decision and has defended it successfully since, extending a current three-game streak through 48–14 and 28–21 triumphs in 2023 and 2024, respectively.[4] In total, Missouri has captured the trophy 8 times since its inception, compared to Arkansas's 2 possessions, underscoring the Tigers' recent edge in the rivalry.[41] As a traveling award, the trophy is displayed on the campus of the victorious team, where it remains until the next annual matchup, fostering a tradition of rivalry pride and anticipation.[40] The trophy's inaugural presentation occurred at a dedicated unveiling event before the 2015 game, setting the precedent for its yearly bestowal to the winner.[42]Series Results
Overall Record
The Battle Line Rivalry has consisted of 16 games through the 2024 season, with the Missouri Tigers leading the all-time series 11–4 against the Arkansas Razorbacks, yielding a .733 winning percentage for Missouri.[43][4] This record accounts for Missouri vacating its 2016 victory over Arkansas due to NCAA sanctions related to impermissible admissions practices. Across the series, Missouri has outscored Arkansas 410–316, resulting in an average final score of 25.6–19.8 in favor of the Tigers.[4] Missouri's scoring edge reflects its historical dominance, particularly in more recent matchups. In the SEC era, since both programs joined the conference in 2012, Missouri holds an 8–2 advantage in the 11 matchups (with the 2016 win vacated due to NCAA sanctions).[4][44] The Tigers' most lopsided victory is a 38–0 shutout in 2018, while Arkansas' largest margin is a 28–3 win in 2015; the series has produced no ties.[3]Game-by-Game Log
The following table provides a chronological log of all 16 games in the Battle Line Rivalry between the Missouri Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks, including dates, sites, winners, and scores. Neutral-site games and bowl games are noted where applicable; one Missouri victory was later vacated by the NCAA due to violations.[4][5]| No. | Date | Site | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov. 10, 1906 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 11–0 |
| 2 | Sept. 23, 1944 | St. Louis, MO (neutral) | Arkansas | 7–6 |
| 3 | Sept. 28, 1963 | Little Rock, AR (neutral) | Missouri | 7–6 |
| 4 | Dec. 31, 2003 | Shreveport, LA (Independence Bowl) | Arkansas | 27–14 |
| 5 | Jan. 1, 2008 | Dallas, TX (Cotton Bowl) | Missouri | 38–7 |
| 6 | Nov. 28, 2014 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 21–14 |
| 7 | Nov. 27, 2015 | Fayetteville, AR | Arkansas | 28–3 |
| 8 | Nov. 25, 2016 | Columbia, MO | Missouri (vacated) | 28–24 (vacated) |
| 9 | Nov. 24, 2017 | Fayetteville, AR | Missouri | 48–45 |
| 10 | Nov. 23, 2018 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 38–0 |
| 11 | Nov. 29, 2019 | Little Rock, AR (neutral) | Missouri | 24–14 |
| 12 | Dec. 5, 2020 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 50–48 |
| 13 | Nov. 26, 2021 | Fayetteville, AR | Arkansas | 34–17 |
| 14 | Nov. 25, 2022 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 29–27 |
| 15 | Nov. 24, 2023 | Fayetteville, AR | Missouri | 48–14 |
| 16 | Nov. 30, 2024 | Columbia, MO | Missouri | 28–21 |

