What Is 1938 Missouri Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1938 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri during the 1938 college football season, finishing with a 6–3 record under head coach Don Faurot and playing in the Big Six Conference.

Key Facts

The team finished the 1938 season with a 6–3 overall record
Head coach Don Faurot was in his third season leading the Tigers
They played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri
The Tigers went 3–2 in Big Six Conference play
Missouri defeated Kansas 26–0 in their annual rivalry game

Overview

The 1938 Missouri Tigers football team competed as a member of the Big Six Conference during the 1938 college football season. Led by head coach Don Faurot in his third year, the team achieved a solid 6–3 overall record, demonstrating consistent performance against regional rivals and conference opponents.

The season marked continued development of Missouri’s signature offensive strategy, which would later evolve into the famed Split-T formation. The Tigers played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, drawing strong regional interest and laying groundwork for future program success.

Record: The team finished with a 6–3 overall record, including a 3–2 mark in conference play, placing them competitively within the Big Six standings.
Head Coach:Don Faurot, in his third season, continued refining offensive tactics that would later revolutionize college football with the Split-T system.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri, a venue that had opened just a few years earlier in 1926.
Conference: Missouri competed in the Big Six Conference, the precursor to the Big Eight and later iterations of the Big 12.
Rivalry Win: The Tigers defeated Kansas 26–0 in their annual matchup, a dominant performance that highlighted their defensive strength.

Season Performance

The 1938 campaign featured a mix of non-conference and Big Six matchups, with Missouri showing improvement in both offensive execution and defensive discipline. The team’s schedule included several regional powerhouses, testing their readiness against top-tier competition.

Season Opener: Missouri began the season with a win over Colorado College, setting a positive tone with a 20–0 shutout at home.
Key Victory: A 19–7 win over Nebraska stood out as one of the season’s most significant, showcasing Missouri’s ability to beat conference rivals.
Loss to Oklahoma: The Tigers fell to Oklahoma 13–6, a close contest that revealed areas for improvement in red-zone efficiency.
Defensive Strength: Missouri recorded three shutouts during the season, including victories over Kansas and Central Missouri State.
Final Game: The season concluded with a 20–13 win over Iowa in the annual intersectional matchup, finishing on a high note.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1938 Missouri Tigers compared to other Big Six Conference teams that season:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Notable Result
Missouri	6–3	3–2	Don Faurot	Defeated Kansas 26–0
Oklahoma	5–5–1	3–2	Tom Stidham	Tied Texas 7–7
Nebraska	4–5–1	2–3	Biff Jones	Lost to Missouri 19–7
Kansas	4–5	2–3	Gloster Richardson	Lost to Missouri 26–0
Kansas State	3–6	2–4	Sam Francis	Beat Nebraska 13–7
Oklahoma State	5–5	4–1	Jim Lookabaugh	Won conference title

Despite not winning the Big Six title, Missouri’s 3–2 conference record placed them in the upper tier. Oklahoma State claimed the conference crown with a 4–1 record, but Missouri’s head-to-head wins over rivals like Kansas and Nebraska underscored their competitive edge. The season reflected a transitional period in college football, with Missouri emerging as a respected program under Faurot’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1938 season was a pivotal chapter in the evolution of Missouri football, setting the stage for future success and strategic innovation. It highlighted the growing reputation of the program and its coach, whose influence would extend far beyond a single season.

Development of the Split-T: Though not yet fully implemented, 1938 laid the foundation for the revolutionary Split-T offense Faurot would perfect in later years.
Recruiting Momentum: Strong performances helped Missouri attract better regional talent, strengthening future rosters.
Rivalry Dominance: The shutout of Kansas reinforced Missouri’s regional supremacy in the Border War series.
Stadium Culture: Games at Memorial Stadium continued to grow in attendance, boosting school spirit and fan engagement.
Historical Context: The season occurred during the Great Depression, making athletic success a source of community pride in Missouri.
Legacy Building: Faurot’s leadership in 1938 contributed to his eventual induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

The 1938 Missouri Tigers may not have won a national title, but their season was instrumental in shaping the identity and trajectory of the football program for decades to come.