Ducks Bear Down, Wildcats Lay An Egg

September 22, 2012

106 miles to the stadium

Oregon Ducks vs. Arizona Wildcats

7:30 kickoff

65 degrees with a little wind from the west - It never rains at Autzen Stadium! 

It's Saturday, so you know what that means. With Oregon ranked #3 in the country, we are headed South with the flock to watch the team take on the #22 Arizona Wildcats for the opening game of PAC-12 play in Autzen Stadium. 

The flock's vehicle ready for migration.

Traveling once again with a couple of newbies, they, like the others this season, are quickly sucked in by the Oregon faithful and Autzen Stadium. 

"One of those honey buckets belongs to my party. 

Yuuup. 

Pretty Awesome!" - Mckenzie

GO DUCKS!

Word is these flags are flying from Oregon to New York! My sister spotted one flying proud on Long Island Sunday afternoon. 

Under ominous clouds, we tailgate hard knowing night games always have an added layer of mystery and excitement. The unexpected is everywhere and the stakes are high. The Ducks have little to no room for error if they are to achieve their (and our) goal for the season.

Our fledglings fit right in with the usual suspects. "I was expecting old trucks with the tailgate down, grilling meats right from the truck bed, but instead it's Priuses and BBQs everywhere." -Kenzie

Kim searches for that one perfect Kettle chip for Steve.
Unfortunately, there's never "just one!"                      

Birds of a feather flock together!

"Here's to Kimi for bringing two new Duck fans to the game!" -Steve

THE CREW

For the first time all season, we make it to our seats for the pre-game festivities. (Like I said, night games are full of the strange and unexpected!)

But I need to back up a little. All week leading up to the game, and all during the drive to Eugene, Kimi and I promised Kim and Kenzie a high-flying, offense-first, action-packed game. We played them the fight song, taught them the cheers, and told them to try, just try, to keep an eye on De'Anthony Thomas as he flies into the end zone time and time again. What we didn't warn them of was a slow game, with some unidentifiable wet stuff (it never rains at Autzen Stadium!) falling from the sky, and an offense that seemed stuck in 1st gear. Where was our promised offensive juggernaut?

The Ducks lead 13-0 at the half, but the fans are not happy.

With Oregon receiving so much attention for its lightning quick offense and high scoring games, we Duck fans start to panic when only 13 points are scored in the first 30 minutes. Luckily, our defense doesn't. As Ryan Finley from the Arizona Daily Star wrote, "on a strange, mild night in timber country, Oregon's defense was a buzz-saw." Yes it was, yes it was, yes it was!

Happy Duck fans as our team scores 15 points in the 3rd quarter and another 21 in the 4th. Fourteen of those points are pick 6's, thanks to our Mighty D! In all, our defense forces five turnovers, returns two for touchdowns, and holds the Wildcats scoreless in six trips to the red zone. 

The score may be blurry, but we know what it says. For the first time since 1965, Oregon shuts out Arizona 49-0. And once again, we send the Wildcats tumbling from the rankings. The last time we did that was the last time they were ranked(November 2010). Meanwhile, we climb one spot to #2 in the country with only Bama out in front! 

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A DUCK!

AUTZEN STADIUM - LIT UP AND LIGHTS OUT!

THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THE DUCK TALE!

SEE YA NEXT WEEK!