This came through the e-channels today. See the bottom for the part about Kenny Wheaton.
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Duck Fans,
Please see the letter below. It was written by my boss, Edward Jessie, and a truncated version appears in this morning’s Oregonion Letters to the Editor. Also, the ’sidenote’ at the bottom regarding Reggie Jordan is true. I took the phone call from him yesterday. Enjoy and Go Ducks!
To all:
I write this email out of concern. I spoke with a close friend yesterday, an Oregon alum, who has missed only exactly one Civil War game (home or away) in the past 20 years. My friend called to ask if I knew of anyone who could use his tickets this weekend. I asked what was wrong, was everyone ok in his family, had something happened? That was when he told me he was thinking of sitting at home and watching on TV. A disturbing muttering I have been hearing since I sat in the Rose Bowl during the disappointing shutout last Saturday by UCLA. “Not sure if we can win this year.”
For those of you Oregon season ticket holders who were, less than two weeks ago, excited as a number-two-team-in-the-country-fan could be and planning your Civil War tailgate, and are now considering not attending the Civil War on Saturday, you need to reconsider. However, If you had no intention of going in the first place due to other commitments, constraints, or no interest, then fine. But those of you who were giddy and are now wavering, need to reconsider and attend.
History and tradition should be enough to keep you coming: This signifies the 111th meeting of these two schools, the oldest rivalry west of the Rockies, (The Big Game between Cal and Stanford pre-dates UO-OSU by two years, but has been played one less time) dating back to 1894. Only seven other rivalries have had more meetings, including Texas-Texas A&M, Auburn-Georgia, and Missouri-Kansas.
However, I could still understand your reluctance to attend Civil War if the Ducks had heinously violated some NCAA rule regarding on-field activities, like consistent malicious hits by the defense. . . if they had been involved in some unsavory off the field activity, like cheating on tests, scholastic or drug. . . if they had made negative or threatening comments in the media. . . or, well numerous other disgraceful activities. But none of these are true. Fact is, these Ducks are to blame for nothing more than leaving everything they have on the field every week, and unfortunately this year that has often included their health:
#1 (Brian Paysinger) and #2 (Cameron Colvin) WRs, out. #1 (Dennis Dixon), #2 (Brady Leaf), and #3 (Nate Costa) QBs, out. #2 (Jeremiah Johnson) RB, out. #1 (John Bacon) MLB, out. All out with season ending injuries. To turn your back on this Oregon team in their true rivalry game of the year (Washington wasn’t even a rivalry outside of Eugene until 1994 and “The Pick”) because they have sustained more season ending injuries to impact players than any other in Division I team this year is simply reproachable.
Remember, with all the injuries and misfortune, the Ducks are still in the top 20 in every poll in the country (AP, Coaches, and BCS.) And while the offense has suffered, Oregon’s defense has stepped to the call when needed. They lead the nation in tackles for loss at 9.9 per game, have allowed just one rushing TD in the last six games, rank third in the PAC-10 in Scoring Defense behind ASU and USC (both beaten by Oregon). And Oregon ranks first in the PAC-10 in Opponent Red Zone Conversions. All great stats. All the more reason to be there on Saturday when this determined and gritty team, offense and defense, healthy and injured, will participate as we defend the home field in this 111th Civil War.
After all, there hasn’t been a more important Civil War for state pride in recent history. Oregon and Oregon State are tied 5-3 in PAC-10 play. Oregon has a one game edge on Oregon State (8-3 vs. 7-4) this year overall.
If you want to forgo a game, forgo the bowl game we will go to if we do the unthinkable and lose this game at home for the first time since 1993. But if you consider Oregon your team, do not even think about abandoning them now! Don’t buy into the apathy. Sure the Ducks offense looked flat out awful from every angle last weekend on the road, but we’re at HOME this week in what is far and away the most crucial game of the season. Can you imagine an entire year with the Beavs gloating as the first ones to break the home streak? What a terrible thought. Bring the locusts, the pestilence, but don’t bring such a terrible blight upon our Ducks.
Take your tickets off Craigslist. Leave your couch unencumbered for this final game of the year. Go cheer for the Oregon defense on every down like you did when we beat Michigan in 2003, or Washington in 1994. But don’t make excuses for not attending this game. Otherwise, maybe it’s time to turn over your season tickets and pass the torch to the true fans who will stand with their team, while you lay in wait of the next bandwagon. I hear Notre Dame is taking applications. . .
I certainly hope to see, and hear you all there on Saturday during the 111th Civil War. Go Ducks.
(Sidenote: I just spoke with Reggie Jordan, our LB from our Rose Bowl season, and found out that while Kenny Wheaton wasn’t able to make it to Seattle this year, he will be in Eugene on Saturday at Civil War. That’s how important this game is.)
-Edward Jessie