As you all probably know, I went to the Civil War last Friday. It was the 110th rendition between the Ducks and the Beavers and a lot was on the line (other than bragging rights... the most important), much like 2004. Winner goes to the Sun Bowl, loser goes to some lower tier bowl. It took a while but Reser sold out for the first time since 2004, so over 44,000 people soaked in the action (probably 4,000 of them Ducks).

I recommend going here to see pictures of the game and a couple of videos I took as well. Should give you a pretty good idea of what it was like. So yeah, remember that I woke up at 3 am for those tickets near the 40 yard line, but needless to say it was worth it.

For the game... first of all it was raining, steadily. It never let up. It was cold as hell. Last Civil War in 2004 it was dry and cold so it wasn't as bad (but I still remember being frozen) but this time around the cold soaked into your very soul (in the form of water!).

It didn't matter though. The Beavers were playing the Ducks, and that's all people cared about. Oregon looks like shit early, and the Beavers go into halftime up 20-7. Their kicker missed two 34 yard-ish field goals, including one that clanked off the upright. So extra demoralizing! But the Beaver defense looked solid enough and the offense was moving the ball as necessary.

Third quarter they exchanged touchdowns. On Oregon's first drive they took it all the way for the score. 20-14. Shit? No. Beavers respond with a drive that yields a touchdown to make it 27-14. After that neither team scored for a number of possessions.

Fourth quarter rolls around and nothing happens until we're under seven minutes. The Ducks go on a scoring drive to make it 20-27. The extra point attempt was blocked however, something that thrilled me because now they wouldn't be in the lead with another touchdown (yet they found a way). The Beavers can't get a first down on their next possession and have to punt. Reser is now very, very nervous. Ducks move the ball down the field quickly and score. 27-26 Beavs. Do they try the extra point?

In one of the main storylines, Ducks coach Mike Bellotti loses faith in kicker Paul Martinez so he decides to go for two points. Takes everyone by surprise. Brady Leaf runs the ball in and the Ducks lead 28-27 with about three minutes to go. Shit.

But out come the Beavers and quarterback Matt Moore, one ripped on, now celebrated. He leads them on a quick drive that will go down in Beavers lore. A couple of strikes to Sammy Stroughter and the Beavers are in field goal range. They run the clock down to 1:20ish before they have to take the field goal.

At this time I'm so nervous I'm just standing there quiet and not saying a word. Once Alexis Serna puts the ball through the uprights though, I, along with everyone else, goes nuts. Beavers lead 30-28 with just over a minute to go!

Kickoff. Ducks returner fumbles it! Everyone is thinking this is a break... instead it disrupts the rhythm of the coverage and the Ducks returner goes 40 something yards with the return. A couple of down field strikes and the Ducks have a field goal to win it.

Shit, shit, shit, shit. I was so scared at this point. Instead of sending out the kicker that missed two FGs and had a PAT blocked however, the Ducks send out the backup kicker. When he lines up to hit it, the whole stadium is just roaring. Probably the loudest its ever been. Little backup kicker, trying a 44 yard field goal to win the CIVIL WAR.

SHANK! He slams it so low it bounces off a Beaver player's helmet! Game over! Beavs win! Students rush the field (that's me!). Total bedlam. We are in the middle of the field in a mob, jumping around. Steam is rising from our wet but now warm (due to the huddle) bodies. We lifted a few players into the air and carried them off, including Matt Moore. Good times.

Here is a video showing those final plays for your enjoyment!

So I hung around the field a little longer, just soaking in the victory. Any victory against the Ducks is special. You know how much this shit means to me, for the next year I'll be happy as a clam no matter what.

Now some more personal pictures:

Thomas has a Civil War ticket (at the 40 no less!)


Being cold and looking like the Emperor in Star Wars.



Boo ya! Scoreboard!

So yeah, that's it. Awesome, awesome, awesome game and it was certainly sweet to beat the Ducks AGAIN.