Part 1 of 2: It was the evening of January 1, 2002. Oregon had just made history, completing a dream-come-true 11-1 record by winning the 2002 Fiesta Bowl in impressive fashion, knocking off heavily favored Colorado 38-16. Prior to the game, all media attention went the direction of Colorado. Many believed that Colorado belonged in the national title game more …
A look back at Oregon’s facilities: the secret to UO’s success?
Ask anybody in the country today their impression of University of Oregon athletics, and three words will immediately be uttered: uniforms, Nike, facilities. Oregon’s facilities now are the envy of the country, even many pro teams don’t have the plush amenities that Oregon athletes appreciate today. It didn’t happen overnight though, and over the years of the University of Oregon’s …
Conclusion: Oregon’s 2001 postseason decade anniversary
Tempe, Arizona: Tuesday, January 1, 2002; A day Oregon fans would long remember. Their beloved Ducks were completing a very special year with an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, the Pac-10 Championship site. Oregon’s four Senior Captains Wes Mallard, Steve Smith, Justin Peelle, and Joey Harrington took midfield to greet and shake hands with Colorado’s captains. Colorado won the coin …
The Rose Bowl Matters: A Personal Account of Oregon’s Historic Triumph
In 1917 Oregon represented the Pacific Coast Conference in the third East-West Tournament Game, later known as the Rose Bowl, at Tournament Park in Pasadena, CA. The following year during the height of The Great War it was two military camps playing in the game, with one team (Mare Island Marines of California) being led by Hollis Huntington and John …
Oregon’s 2001 Postseason: Part 4
It was New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2001. A year with many twists and turns was about to draw to a conclusion, and everyone prepared for only the second official year of the new millennium. The world had yearned for the year 2000, but had to wait another year for the official new millennium to begin, as had been explained …
Oregon’s integral role in the history of the Grandaddy of them all
On New Years Day in 1890 the first Rose Parade was held in downtown Pasadena, CA; devised as a way to entice people from the east coast to purchase real estate in Southern California, an effort to convince those with deep pockets to escape the cold winter weather for sunny Southern California. “In New York, people are buried in snow, …
The 19 Greatest Seasons in Duck Football History (with a 20th slot reserved for this year)
Win or lose the Rose Bowl on January 2, this year’s Oregon squad has already earned a special distinction: one of the 20 greatest seasons in the history of a team that has been playing football since 1894. After all, this year’s regular season produced only the Ducks’ fifth outright conference title (along with 1994, 2001, 2009 and 2010) and …
Oregon’s 2001 Postseason: Part 3
Despite the disappointment of the BCS excluding Oregon from the Rose Bowl (site of the national championship game that year), the Oregon team and fans had a lot to celebrate. Most fans were ecstatic to see their beloved Ducks headed to represent the Pac-10 against a very good Colorado team. The general Eugene atmosphere was very positive as the team …
Oregon’s 2001 Postseason: Part 2
Just a little over ten years ago at this time, the final NCAA BCS rankings were released. At 11-0, The Miami Hurricanes were the only undefeated team and earned the undisputed #1 ranking in each poll. The Oregon Ducks were one of only four one-loss teams at 10-1, and had done everything right other than their difficult, heartbreaking loss at …
Revisiting the Wisconsin series: 2000-2001
The upcoming Rose Bowl pitting Big-10 champion Wisconsin vs. Pac-12 champion Oregon is not the first time the two teams have met. A decade ago the Badgers and Ducks played in a home-and-home grudge match that was as bitterly fought of a series as had occurred in recent memory. With the Rose Bowl looming and the recent series tied 1-1, …
Oregon’s 2001 Postseason: Part 1
On December 1, 2001; the celebration was on in the pouring rain at Autzen Stadium. Hundreds of fans swarmed the field despite the harsh weather conditions, knowing their beloved Ducks had won the undisputed Pac-10 Championship and were bowl bound. Many had brought Tostitos Chips to celebrate the berth of the Fiesta Bowl, but all true fans had hoped for …
The Oklahoma series: Part 1 – Bad Play (2004) & Bad Luck (2005)
It wasn’t the first time Oregon and Oklahoma had played. Four times previously the Ducks and Sooners had faced off, every time they had trounced Oregon. It wasn’t pretty how lopsided the series had been. 1958 – Oklahoma 6 Oregon 0 1966 – Oklahoma 17 Oregon 0 1972 – Oklahoma 68 Oregon 3 1975 – Oklahoma 62 Oregon 7 (Oklahoma …
