Missouri football team's defense bottles up rival Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missouri never has played better defensively in a Big 12 game -- and now the Tigers might never play another Big 12 game.

In a 35-7 victory over Kansas on Saturday, the No. 15 Tigers held their archrivals to 141 yards, the fewest they've allowed a conference opponent in the Big 12's 15 seasons.

While Kansas and Missouri will continue the second-longest running rivalry in college football, the Big 12 no longer will be what it's been next year since Colorado and Nebraska are moving on to other conferences and the league will reduce to 10 members. It even could change names.

"They are a very good defensive football team," Kansas coach Turner Gill said. "They have a good D-line, and with their linebackers and their whole secondary is a pretty good football team."

The Tigers sacked Jordan Webb twice as Kansas lost 19 yards to set the tone on the first possession. The Tigers (10-2, 6-2 Big 12) then scored on their first two possessions en route to their third victory over the bitter border rivals since their annual season-ending showdown was moved to Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium four years ago.

"I don't want to say I knew it then, because it's way too early, but you do get a feeling that it's going to be a good day for the defense and a good day for Mizzou as a whole," Missouri defensive end Kevin Rutland said. "And it kept going from there. The offense was rolling, the defense was rolling and it was a great team victory."

De'Vion Moore scored two touchdowns for the Tigers, who drew 95 yards in penalties but still dominated their archrivals. No. 16 Nebraska's victory over Colorado on Friday had made it impossible for the Tigers to finish better than second in the Big 12 North.

The Jayhawks (3-9, 1-7) ended a miserable season in Gill's first year as coach and have lost 16 of 19 after opening 2009 with five straight wins.