I feel ill and ashamed.
by JShufelt on Sep 5, 2009 4:19 PM PDT
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PrintSo I got back home last night. Overall, I enjoyed myself.
My impression of the fans is - there is a serious mixed bag. You have both some of the greatest fans, and some of the rudest fans.
The minority:
Some didn't trash talk Oregon - instead - they went for personal attacks. That was really the sharpest blade. I heard some clever stuff, but overall it was something lame like "$#@% the ducks!" (Like I've never heard that one before). I enjoy a good jab. Aside from that, one person behind us in the stadium was a Grade A asshole - even at the end of the game, I shook the hands of a lot of Boise fans around us, except for that bad apple. A couple of the Boise fans even agreed that he was a prick, so, while he tarnished the experience, I don't hold him as a real representative of the fanbase.
The other thing I didn't like was the glares I got when I went somewhere the next day. Older folks were far more welcoming, but those that looked to be around high school age glared at me as if I were Dr. Punch himself. I've never gone through something like that - not even in Seattle where the hate is palpable.
The majority:
Walking to the stadium, I got the chance to talk with a few students. They were just good quality people. While most tend to ignore "the guy in the Oregon Jersey", a couple people made sure I felt welcomed. Definitely the best reflection of the fan base was after the game, as I had to make the embarrassing walk of shame, down the steps, through the stadium - around campus, to my car. Why was it so bad? I was wearing No. 9 - the only thing missing was the word "Blount" on the shoulders. While nobody was happy with the reaction, people were empathetic for Oregon, and Blount himself (The guy ruined his possibly bright NFL career). Things like "That's really sad" were a common phrase.
Anyway, while trying to get out of the Southeastern side of the stadium, and having this discussion about how I believed Blount's career is done, with one of these people. I tried to lighten up the moment by acting out my shame. I covered up the numbers as best as I could. When I took off the jersey, the whole area erupted in applause and laughter.
Though, my favorite fan award goes to this young lady. I forget the restaurant we stumbled across, but as we were waiting to get a seat, she was walking out. She looked at me and my friend and just shook her head in grave disappointment. The look wasn't just a look - it was a look that delved into our souls. She didn't say any words, she didn't make any noise. I felt like my mother disowned me through silence. She said so much, with out saying anything at all. Major kudos, to her.
The stadium:
I'll be honest. It wasn't what I expected.
First, I was amazed that the color scheme worked out. I gave that a 99% chance of failing (Though, I found out it was continually being shown on the news for weeks.) Most teams can't get the majority of their fans to wear a single color - you guys got it coordinated.
Second, while I didn't find it to be nearly as loud as advertised, but when you put it into perspective of the size of the stadium, it was extremely loud. I still will put up Autzen as being louder per person, Bronco Stadium isn't that far behind.
Third, I hate tracks around football fields. A lot.
Fourth, this might sound pety, but for me, it was a huge issue. I'm not gonna say the field is ugly (Not nearly as bad in person), but I found it difficult to watch the game and follow the ball. I don't know why, but about a 1/4 of the time when the ball was passed, I couldn't tell where it was going, or if it had been caught.
The Game:
Now the important part. Boise State is clearly the better team. The team I thought I knew, the players I've seen take over 1800 snaps, weren't there. I know the talent is there. I know what the players are capable of doing - but they just didn't have it. Oregon has a lot of wrinkles to iron out and Boise State has a couple left on the sleeve.
Tell me Oregon will give up 16 points to the Boise State offense, I'd have a big dumb grin on my face. Tell me Oregon got 6 first downs, all in the second half, I would have called you a liar. But I saw it with my own eyes.
Did I over-hype Oregon? Sept 3rd stats say "Yes". My confidence for the season is shaken. But it's only been one game against a BCS-Caliber team. I think a loss, like this, can really help Oregon. They didn't deserve to win, for how they played on the field. Boise State came ready and prepared. Oregon came in, brain dead and flatfooted. I wish we could have given Boise a better game. Even if it were a loss. I was more impressed with Masoli against USC last year - and he was fairly laughable there.
Boise State deserves a better conference than the WAC. Everyone in Oregon probably agrees with that. Hopefully MWC can soon be a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
I've enjoyed reading OBNUG, and going back and forth with you guys. I've never had the intention of sounding like an arrogant, demeaning, asshat. If I have, do apologize. Kevanlee and writers have a great community. And the community has one of the best bloggers.
Good luck with the rest of the season Go Broncos and Go Ducks.
This content was not created by OBNUG and therefore may not meet our standards. On the contrary, it probably exceeds them.
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Go Ducks
I was honestly impressed with how the entire ducks team reacted to Blount. Everybody else was level headed and what could have been something huge, ended up being one isolated incident. I hope the Ducks offense can pull it together under Kelly and do well the rest of the season!
p.s. I couldn’t agree more about the track thing. I can’t wait to get rid of that junior college relic!
Someday I hope to look in a mirror and see something special... something like a coach pete protoge'.
Good post.
Sorry ’bout the aholes. Everybody has them. Re: loudness…Autzen is obviously a lot louder, but I was disappointed last year. I realize that it is regarded the loudest stadium in the country and I was expecting a jet engine in my ear, but I was let down. I think Duck fans and media over-hyped the noise. Talked to a Bronco player and he also said he was expecting more. It was a non-issue on the lines. But I digress… the track is hideous.
I WANT ANOTHER FACEPALM!
And then we’ll call thing even.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
This is stupid!
Mikrino for President!
Just kidding. Glad you had a good experience, and I must say that all the duck fans that I saw at the game, and on here afterward have been very good sports.
Oh, and one more thing. GO DUCKS! Could you do us a favor and win the PAC-10?
"Well, we'll just have to get to know each other a little better then. I like Ferris wheels, college football, and anything that goes more than 200 miles an hour."
Candor appreciated
Sorry about the A-hole, but i appreciate your honesty. I sincerely hope this is not the last time our two schools play each other. And I’m not a fan of the track either.
Thanks guys. Despite the few people, overall the fans were great. I’m glad I visited the Punch Bowl, despite what went down.
"It’s spelled E-L-F T-U-S-H"
"Oh, Yeah!"
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
You're good with me JShufelt...
There is nothing I can say to make you feel worse anyways. I liked your post and your perspective as the a fan from the other side was very interesting.
I don’t know how you did it but lo and behold, I opened up my wallet and saw an Andy Jackson in there, so we are more than good. That AND the facepalm was overpayment. You got class dude, we are good. :)
If you Ducks suck it up and win out or at least when 10, the sting will go away. Good luck with the rest of your season. You can be assured we will be rooting for and watching when we can.
"I'd rather be a smartass than a dumbass."
Edit
Bah!! I have a sentence in my post above that didn’t make sense. I need to watch my editing.
“I liked your post and your perspective as the a fan from the other side was very interesting.”
Should read…
I liked your post and your perspective as a fan from the other side, it was very interesting.
Ok, fixed.
"I'd rather be a smartass than a dumbass."
Great post Shu
The thing I took away from the game the most was that sort of jealous feeling of Boise St.
Not jealous of winning but that feeling that you have when you know you have a great team, and you don’t get the respect you deserve, and you get a chance to prove it and you do it. I remember when Oregon was that program on the rise, and had nothing to loose and everything to gain. I miss that and Boise…you really reminded me of it on Thursday. It’s a fantastic feeling when you can back up your words or even hopes.
Best of luck the rest of the way.
(great post again shufelt)
Yes we will...not score very much
by echris on Sep 6, 2009 11:22 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Good to hear from you
I admit, once i saw the postgame madness, I was giving the oregon fans “the eye”.
Then I noticed that, if they could they would prob. give themselves “the eye”. After seeing all of the distraught, and “embarrassed” Oregon fans I couldn’t help but feel empethetic for them.
After it’s all said and done, I still have respect for you Oregon fans and mad respect for the people responsable for ending Blount’s season. It should be a reality check for those players that let anger get the best of them.
The Ducks have some things to fix before next week’s game. I wish you guys an 11-1 season this year and a smooth ride from here on out. Good Luck Ducks!
BroncoJoe
Ahhh the love.
I’m glad you had agood time overall. I love Boise, it being my hometown and all. I love going back to visit. I apoligize for the jerk-offs you encountered. You should attend the game against Idaho, where they really come out of the woodwork.
I think you made a great assessment of the crowd noise. As I have said before, for 30,000 people, its pretty frickin loud. Also hate the track, but for now, its there.
I’m happy you came on here to post your experience, I planned on asking you this morning how it went. I imagine it would have been worlds better without the “duckerpunch”. But hey ,its cool. Hopefully our schools will agree to play again.
Until next time Elftush,
P.S. I rec’d you for the Mikrino poll cameo….AWESOME!
Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)
rec'd for hating tracks around football fields
Fortunately steps are being taken to get the track out of the stadium. Hopefully it’s gone within a few years.
I hope the Ducks win a bunch of games this year. The talent is definately there. I also hope these two teams can play each other again soon.
Also, Coach Pete has been harping on this the whole time but kudos to BOTH teams for not turning the whole post game into a big melee. While it was bad it could have been much worse. Oregon players need to be credited for that just as much as Boise players.
Good luck Ducks!!
Watch out BCS...one day Boise State will be National Champs.
Hey this post is still open..
Well haha Oregon lost. What can I say. At least your ducks (barely) beat Purdue this weekend. I can’t believe I spent all that time arguing with you, dveiria, jtlight and BisonDucks, when it turns out your team was truly worthless and not really worth discussing at all. As I’ve said before, Idaho usually puts up a better struggle than that.
You fellas should just listen sometime and realize that stats, conference affiliation, 5 star recruits and SOS don’t mean a whole lot in the big picture. (At least not to BSU)
I can’t remember how many times I wrote stuff like that here and at ATQ to get it through your duck brains, and you still didn’t get it.. Well now you know with no excuses.
So yeah, we’re cool. Glad you had at least a little fun at the Blue.
Now go win the PAC-10 please.
"Gandhi didn't take a knee, Martin Luther King didn't take a knee, Thomas Edison didn't take a knee, and I sure as hell am not going to take a knee." - Dan Hawkins
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