80.8 miles to the stadium
Oregon State Beavers vs. Oregon Ducks
12:00 kickoff
Temperatures in the 40s with a 90% chance of rain
("It ALWAYS rains at Reser Stadium!")
The last game of the regular season is here- The Civil War. Or, as we call it around these parts - The Uncivilized War. There's nothing civil about it. After all, a rivalry game is a different animal. Some consider it to be the most important game of the year. In college football, your record doesn't matter much if you lose this one. Bragging rights are on the line. So is the Platypus Trophy.
We've beaten the Beavers four years in a row now, and in that time, stolen the Rose Bowl from them twice. Last year we beat them at Autzen to secure a trip to Pasadena, and the year before that we beat them at their house for a berth to the National Championship. So yeah, these games mean something, they have a history, and the Beavers want this one. Bad. So do we. Whoever wins the 2012 Civil War gets a bid from the BCS; whoever loses is left out. Again.
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| UO Alumni Association |
Jess, Clint, Kimi, and I head down the I-5 early Saturday morning, so early in fact, that I believe everyone on the road must be going to the game. Who else would be up and at 'em at this hour on such a rainy, dreary Saturday? We fiddle with the radio as we head south trying to keep Game Day in tune - after all, we need to hear "the picks." Sitting in the back, I don't hear much, but I'm pretty sure Corso just picked the Ducks. All I can do is hope no live animals are on set with him this week. Midgets either.
The drive is quick and easy (remember I'm in the back seat and probably dozed off for a few exits) and before we know it, we're at the exit for Corvallis, or as we nicknamed it two years ago, C-allis. Side effects of C-allis may include dizziness, sudden loss of vision, debilitating migraines, and an unexplained rash. Before visiting, talk to your doctor about the possible side effects and whether it is right for you.
A beautiful day at the stadium!
When arrive in Reser-ville, we find that our very same parking spot from two years ago is open. It's a beautiful spot, too - right across the street from the stadium and right next to a hotel. A hotel with a bathroom to boot. Oh yeah, life is good in C-allis!
We quickly set up camp and crack our first beers by 9:30. I know, I know, but somehow it works on Game Day!
The rain holds off and the four of us have a great time in the parking lot. Everyone, Duck and Beaver fans alike, is in fine spirits after what has been a good year for both teams. The Ducks and Beavs both come into today's game ranked in the top 25 and at one point during the season, both were in the top 10. A good year for the Oregon teams to be sure. After today though, one will play in a coveted BCS Bowl and one will be looking at something like the Holiday Bowl. You gotta love a rivalry game that comes down to stakes like that.
The twelve o'clock kickoff comes up fast and before we can cram our leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches down our throats, it's time for Reser. On our way in, we continue our trend of rubbing elbows with Oregon's elite...
It's good to know Kenny Wheaton's in the house, just in case, you know, we need him to score.
However, Oregon comes out looking like they don't need any back up.
You want a piece of DAT? Are you sure?
In a sea of orange, the Green & Yellow get down to business fast. Lightning fast.
By the end of the second quarter, the Ducks are up 20 to 10. By the end of the third, 34-17. Our offense is back and it feels good.
So good.
All Puddles can do is sit back and watch... or maybe he's just resting up for more push-ups.
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| AP photo |
We allow them a touchdown in the 4th, but we get a pair of scores ourselves giving us the 116th Civil War, bragging rights for the year, and at the very least, depending how some other games pan out, a bid to the Fiesta Bowl. The Beavs might as well turn on Madonna and start singing "Holiday" because it looks like that's where they're going.
Beaver dreams dashed again.
48-24 Ducks.
Oregon finishes the season 11 and 1 to earn the best record in the conference. We would learn later in the day that the games we needed to break our way didn't, and we would not be playing for the PAC-12 Championship, nor will we play for the Natty. Is it sad? Sure. There was so much hope, so much opportunity, but still, this was a magical season, just as Clint said way back in September, some 13 weeks ago. Throughout 12 games, we met new friends and old players. From Los Angeles to Seattle, we cheered on our Oregon Ducks with family, friends, and total strangers. We flew 4000 miles one week from the tropics to the desert to yell "Vamos Patos!" under the hot Phoenician sun. We got up at six am and stayed up til 2, depending on the time of kickoff. We became known at the Alaska Boardroom. Was it exhausting? Totally! I crashed for 12 hours straight soon after realizing the regular season was done. It took me 5 1/2 days to write this blog, not really wanting much to do with anything Duck. But I know it won't be long before I miss it - tequila with Ty and Stacey, the community Ninkasi Beer making its rounds, chicken sausages for breakfast, and of course, sitting in the stadium next to people we've sat with for years, watching our team warm up on the field, and waiting for the students to start the chant....
"GO!" "DUCKS!" "GO!" "DUCKS!" "GO!" "DUCKS!"
Yeah. I'm going to miss it. How could I not? It's magical.
The 2012 Oregon Ducks
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| Photo by Eric Evans |
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| KVAL Sports |
Thanks for a great season! What a trip!
Every game, every stadium ~ we made it.
Almost. See you in January for one more!
Thanks for following the Duck Tale. 
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