HOW TO OREGON DUCK FOOTBALL PLAYOFF AT AUTZEN

Oregon Duck football begins where all college football begins: on campus.

This is the lovely yard we passed on the way to Autzen from Max’s Tavern in Eugene, Oregon.

The place was hopping with Duck shirts, Duck jersey’s, and a few James Madison people.

One in our group spent their college years at University of Oklahoma where everyone used to thank visiting fans for coming to Norman before the games.

It was code for, “It’s not getting any better than this.” (Hey MMM)

He was the MCF, Most Courteous Fan, for extending sportsmanship and hospitality before the game started.

Did I mention we got to town four hours before kickoff?

We wanted time for the Oregon grads in the group to find their old dorms.

They didn’t, which welcomes them into the club of ‘You’re so old that . . .’

Three of the five of us were in their mid to late 30’s, the other two around 70.

What the millennials found instead of their old dorms was Hayward Field.

Who wants to hop the fence and take a few hot laps?

Hold me back.

 

 

Smart sports fans, like smart athletes across the board, make contingency plans.

The group proved their competency by bringing a cooler of homemade gourmet sandwiches and beer boxes.

This reminder of where we were showed up after leaving the campus.

 

 

The University of Oregon was not a college football destination in my day, or any day before. 

The eight win Duck season of 1963 with Coach Casanova’s team wasn’t equaled until 1989 with Coach Brooks.

You do the math. (26 years)

 

Marching To Autzen

We joined the long line of green.

By the end of the day we covered 8-10 miles in Track Town USA.

James Madison University traveled well.

Did we thank them for coming?

Yes we did.

Marching at Autzen.

 

 

For another two hours we strolled the tailgates.

 

 

Older Duck fans played high school football at Autzen. 

It was a big deal for the North Bend Bulldogs to pull up in the Bulldog Bus.

We never won a game there.

My class of seniors got close with a 7-6 loss to Sheldon in 1973.

Now I’m a senior again? Go Ducks.

 

High In The Sky: A Vision?

 

 

 

 

The college football playoff game against James Monroe was a big win on many levels, the top being making the trip from Portland to Eugene and back without incident.

How does that happen?

By choosing a dedicated designated driver and grilling them hard about the temptations.

Pick the guy with both international driving experience in Spain and England, (twice); pick the guy with current long distance bonafides.

Beers on campus? Noooooo.

Beers at the tailgate? Noooooo

Beers in Autzen? Noooooo.

Beers on the way back? Nooooo.

 

This is the unofficial Oregon greeter.

He was welcoming the JMU fan sitting in front of him.

They may have become best friends.

 

 

PS: Be a good sports fan. If someone gets too feisty because of you, buy them a beer.

 

PSS: Was it a football game, an excuse for acres of people to pour copious amounts of booze down the gullets, or both?

Hard drinking is frowned on at youth and high school football games, expected at college and NFL games.

Somehow it all works out in the end. If it doesn’t work out? Then it’s not the end.

 

GO DUCKS