Oregon Civil War Tickets |
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Autzen Stadium
Eugene,
OR
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Oregon State University Beavers vs. University of Oregon Ducks
The rivalry called the civil war is the longest running rivalry in the country.
After a 12-0 Oregon victory in 1910 at Corvallis, fans of both teams began a verbal argument as Ducks fans returned to the train station to leave. It escalated into rowdy behavior. The UO's public relations department spread stories of (then) Oregon Agricultural College hooliganism to the statewide press, offending students of OAC and causing the rivalry to be suspended for 1911.
Then in 1937 after defeating Oregon 14-0 fans had a large rally the next evening that lasted for six hours. Approximately 2,000 Oregon State students decided to drive to Eugene and have another celebration. When Oregon students got out of class, the seemingly peaceful situation escalated when the Ducks started pelting the Beavers with tomatoes and water balloons.
In 1954, prior to the start of the game, nearly 60 Ducks students infiltrated the Beaver’s territory and lit the homecoming bonfire early. Although this was not a new trick, the consequences of their actions proved to be monumental as 15-20 Ducks were taken hostage. Their heads were shaved and painted orange and black. One Duck was even paraded through the OSU campus wearing a sign that read “I am a dumb duck”.
In 1960, a Duck took the Beaver’s homecoming queen from in front of her home. The Beaver’s student body President received a ransom note for her demanding he ride a child’s scooter to the center of Eugene and make a public appeal for her return. Needles to say, she was returned within 30 minutes, so the ransom was not fulfilled.
Beginning in 1959 the Platypus trophy was awarded to the winning school. The trophy disappeared in 1961 and remained “lost” for 40 years until its discovery in 2005. In 2007 it was awarded to the winning school’s Alumni Association.
In 1972, after the Beavers won a 30-3 victory, Ducks fans stormed the OSU field and took down the South goal posts. When Beaver’s fans attempted to defend the North goal posts a large brawl broke out.
From 1997 through 2006 the winner of the game was always the home team. The streak was broken in 2007, when the Beavers beat Ducks at Autzen Stadium 38-31 in double overtime. In 2008, the Ducks returned the favor in Corvallis by beating the Beavers 65-38.
The Oregon Ducks powered one of the highest offensive attacks in the nation to a 10-win season in 2008. Per game the Ducks racked up over 40 points and nearly 500 yards of total offense last season. The offense should be tough to stop again with QB Jeremiah Masoli leading. The Ducks have grabbed 6 individual titles in the Pac-10.
The Oregon State Beavers are coming down from one of its best seasons in recent memory, winning nine games and handing league-champ USC its only defeat of the season. With Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year Jacquizz Rodgers, the offense should remain tough.
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