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 …
The Oklahoma series: Part 2 – Bad Calls (2006)
Both Oklahoma and Oregon were undefeated heading into the final chapter of their trilogy of games, with Oklahoma dreaming of a national championship shot, but it hadn’t been without a close call. Opening the season playing at UAB, Oklahoma had been the beneficiary of a horrendous referee call on a muffed punt, where the Oklahoma return man was incorrectly ruled down on an obvious fumble that would have set up UAB for the potentially game-tying score late in the 4th quarter. Instead Oklahoma retained possession and ran out the clock, winning 24-17. In the aftermath of the events that would transpire between Oklahoma and Oregon, this gift from the referees was conveniently forgotten by all Oklahoma fans and made their whining highly hypocritical.
Decade Anniversary: Ducks win memorable 2001 Civil War
An entire decade ago to date, the 105th edition of the Civil War was set. Both teams had waited weeks for this game after a long absence, as ABC had given each school one million dollars to postpone the battle for a national television audience prior to the start of the season. Expectations for both schools were very high in …
Oregon’s 1996 comeback, Part II: 100th Civil War
Approximately 15 years ago to date, Oregon headed to Corvallis’ Parker Stadium for the 100th Civil War game. Sitting at 5-5 overall, Oregon wanted their third consecutive winning season and a shot at a bowl game. Oregon State was 2-8 overall, but always wanted to end their season on a high note by beating their instate rival. The previous two …
15 year anniversary: Oregon’s 1996 season comeback (Part I)
Oregon opened the 1996 season strong, followed by a difficult mid-season slump. To open the season, Oregon had won a tight battle in the first-ever NCAA regular season overtime game over Fresno State. The next two non-conference games over Nevada and Colorado State were victories for Oregon, and the Ducks were nationally ranked. Unfortunately for Oregon, the defense struggled to …
Ducks versus Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks
In recent days and weeks leading to Oregon’s season-defining showdown with heretofore undefeated Stanford, the story wasn’t just that Chip Kelly‘s team was facing the nation’s #4 squad, or that a win might make another BCS title-game run possible. Given the accolades that have been showered for the past two years on Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck, it seems the Ducks …
Decade Anniversary: “Captain Comeback” and Oregon Narrowly Escape UCLA
An entire decade ago, the Oregon Ducks traveled to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for their final regular season road contest against UCLA; and a chance to finish undefeated away from Autzen for the first time since 1995. UCLA had began the season strong and nationally ranked with impressive victories over Alabama, Ohio State, and Washington. However, they were …
ESPN College Gameday and Oregon: the Perfect Match
On Saturday ESPN College Gameday will be broadcasting live from Palo Alto, CA, to kick off the day’s festivities ending with the Oregon-Stanford game. It will be the third time this year that Oregon is one of the featured schools associated with the program, more than any other school. It will be the second time Stanford is featured, and the …
Remembering Four Great ’80s Ducks
As the Ducks transition this week from a victory over Washington State to prepping for Washington, I’ve found myself thinking back to two pairs of star players from Rich Brook’s 1980s squads, each part of upset victories over these Northwest rivals. Many Duck fans remember Washington State running back Reuben Mayes’ NCAA record-breaking 357 yards at Autzen Stadium in 1984, …
Why We Say ‘Neu-Weasel’
Rick Neuheisel may not ever coach a game against the Ducks again. You might recognize his Bruins from any number of recent uninspiring performances such as last Thursday, where they were blasted on ESPN by a newly Stoops-less Arizona team 48-12. It was the first conference win this season for the Wildcats. After the game, Slick Rick seemingly was in …