Author's Note: This is Part II of IV. Part I looked at the 112 year running history of the Civil War between the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. While not intended as the definitive authority on the history, it is intended to provide greater details and an over view of this great rivalry between two of the State of Oregon's oldest public institutions of higher ed.
Part II recounts the greatest Civil War game played by Oregon to date. Part III focuses on the greatest Civil War win by the Beavers. Part IV will provide the author's breakdown of the upcoming game and his prediction of the outcome.
The Civil War is upon us. There is no neutral ground. Duck or Beaver, those are the only choices available.
It is at this time in November each year that Ducks and Beavers recall with fond memories past victories in the Great Civil War rivalry. While any win in this annual ritual is hard fought and deserving of bragging rights for at least the coming year—there are some wins that are more equal than others.
The 2005 Civil War broke all records and at least for the moment, is considered by many Oregon Duck fans the greatest Civil War Game ever played. If by chance you missed it, here is a recap of the 109th Civil War game and some sense of what it was like.
A famous annual writing contest for composing the world's worst novel requires that entrants began with the line: "It was a dark and stormy night." Saturday, November 19th, 2005 at Autzen Stadium, was dark, but it wasn't stormy. No, it was worse. It was cold and foggy. It got even foggier as the game progressed.
It was so foggy by the end of the game, the Fox Sports Network-West 2 television cameras were unable to view the action on the far side of the field or to follow the ball as it was thrown through the air. Everyone had a difficult time following the action as it moved up and down the field.
Coming into the game Oregon was ranked 10th in the BCS, AP Top 25 and 11th in ESPN.com's Power Rankings with a 9-1 record. The Ducks had won their first three games, (Houston 38-24, Montana 47-14 and Fresno State 37-34) and lost to USC 45-13. They then won the next six: Stanford 44-20, Arizona State 31-17, Washington 45-21, Arizona 28-21, Cal 27-20 and Washington State 34-31.
A win against the Beavers would make for only the second time that Oregon had chalked up 10 wins in a season. Also on the line for Oregon was the opportunity to go the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl, a BCS Bowl for the PAC-10 Champion.
Kellen Clemens was the Oregon senior Quarterback starting the 2005 season. In the course of seven and one-half games he racked up impressive numbers across the board. The standout from Burns, Oregon established a career completion percentage of 60.9 percent, a school record.
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about 1 month ago
Great article, again. Looking forward to the part 3 - greatest Oregon State victory choice.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Colin,
Thank you for the read and the POTD.
Part 3 is coming this weekend. Believe it or not I am rooting for the Beavers on Saturday.
about 1 month ago
Larry, welcome home!!!! Where have you been? Man, I missed you hanging around B/R! This was another excellent article by you - extremely thorough and well researched. Great job.
I'm glad you're back! *****POTD
from about 1 month ago
Hi GG,
As to where I've been. It's a long, sad story and not for publication here. But, it's good to be back and appreciated.
Thank you for the read, comments and POTD.
about 1 month ago
Nice write up Larry, though if I remember the final score of the Holiday Bowl was 17-14.
I was at this game, my mother and I had to scalp tickets were in the topmost row on the southeast corner of the stadium. There were times when we could not see a single player, or the replay board, for entire series. My favorite part of the game was in the second half when Don Essig said "Somewhere down there the Ducks will receive..."
This was the most dominant effort in a Civil War game by Oregon in recent memory. But I still prefer the '01 game when Tony Hartley ran back a punt for a go ahead score and Rashaud Bauman sealed the victory in the final minute with an interception of Jonathan Smith to send Oregon to the Fiesta Bowl. That is just me though.
from about 1 month ago
The final score for the Holiday Bowl was definitely 17-14. I couldn't believe it when Leaf threw that pick at the end of the game.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Tristan,
Thank you for the read and comments.
Double checked my source and yes, you are correct it was 17-14, for a final score in the Holiday Bowl. That was a "typo." Thank you for catching it.
I do remember the Tony Hartley and Rashaud Bauman moments in 2001. That was a great game as well. I believe we may see a game of that calibre on the 29th. More in Part IV.
Go Ducks!
about 1 month ago
Have to go with the 1994 Civil War in Corvallis. It's a no brainer.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Chris,
Thank you for the read and comments.
about 1 month ago
I look back with fondness on the '05 season especially because of how they finished. I honestly didn't think they would run the table of their remaining games once Clemens got hurt (anyone else remember when he was splitting time with Jason Fife? Whatever happened to that guy?), but they managed to pull out some close ones (as the scores you compiled indicate) before hammering Oregon State in the "Fog Bowl" to end the regular season.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Benjamin,
Thank you for the read and comments.
Some of these seasons only come along ever so often. Everthing just seems to click. 2005 was one of these with Kellen Clemens and Dennis Dixon. 2001 with Joey Harrington was another.
As I get older, I've come to appreciate these "special seasons," all the more because I now realize how rare they are.
Go Ducks!
about 1 month ago
Wow, this was amazing. The research was awesome. Larry, you are really becoming one of the best reporters here on b/r. My respect is ten-fold...you are awesome. I hope you get some rewards for this, besides just personal satisfaction. Great job...I already picked a POTD, but I'm adding this to to my picks.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for the read, kind words and POTD. Did you catch Part I covering the history? Would be interested to hear your thoughts on it as well.
Thank you, I especially value your comments.
about 1 month ago
This is another in your list of great articles. Great research, great information. Really enjoying the series and can't wait until the game.
from about 1 month ago
Hi BT,
Thank you for the read and comments. Appreciate the compliment coming from you.
about 1 month ago
Once again Larry,
Very good article. I am really taking a liking to this series of yours. ***** and POTD
you deserve it, great to have you back on the site,
keep up the fantastic work!
~Cameron
from about 1 month ago
Hi Cameron,
Thank you for the read, comments and POTD.
Look for Part III on Sunday, but being possibly more of an avid Duck fan, than even myself, you may not care for it. It is going to be Orange and Black from beginning to end.
Thank you again.
Go Ducks!
from about 1 month ago
Oh no Larry, don't get me confused. I enjoy GOOD articles about the beavs, which you are capable of writing. You can make it enjoyable for sure, rather than others who rant on and on about how the beavers are never given respect, and should crush arizona and oregon.
about 1 month ago
This is a great series and look forward to the next ones. Keep up the great work. If the Ducks can beat OSU this year, it will take over as the best Civil War in my opinion just because of what they did last year and what's at stake this year.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Nate,
Thank you for the read and comments.
The talent is there. The speed is there. Your wish may be granted. As I indicated above to Cameron, you may not care for Part III, it's going to be 100-percent Beaver believer material. But, stayed tuned. You may like Part IV better.
Thank you.
about 1 month ago
Very good article larry, i look foward to more of your work. go ducks
from about 1 month ago
Hi Iceman,
Thank you for the read and your comment.
Go Ducks!
about 1 month ago
So I'm brand new to bleacherreport,
having signed up and written my 1st
article today...
Clicked on "Oregon State Football",
to see who else writes about my
beloved Beavs...
And I see what looks like a Duck
as the #2 OSU football writer?!?
So I click his article, thinking this
has gotta be a mistake. But after
reading it...
Dang, Larry. Ya have me impressed.
Well-structured, well-researched,
well-written...
As much as I hate the Ducks,
I hafta say: here's one new reader.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Josiah,
Thank you for the read and comments. Glad that you liked the article. Guess my U of O, School of Journalism instruction came through even on article about the Beavers.
Will have Part III - Best Beaver Game Ever, out later today. Hope you enjoy that one even more.
Thank you,
--Larry
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