Author's Note: This is Part III 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 overview of this great rivalry between two of the State of Oregon's oldest public institutions of higher ed.
Part II recounted 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.
While 2005 ended up being all about Green and Yellow, the next year was very different in just about every respect.
First, the game was played on Friday, Nov. 24, at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. Unlike the previous year at Autzen in Eugene, the weather was almost perfect for a football game, with one notable exception—it was pouring down rain. The temperature recorded a high of 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit for the day. Visibility was about nine miles with an average wind speed of about 11 mph.
Going into the game, Oregon was ranked 24th in the BCS Standings but not ranked in the AP Top 25 or the USA Today Poll. Oregon State was listed in the Others Receiving Votes for that week by the AP Top 25 and the USA Today Poll. The Polls and Rankings were once again very confused that November.
Oregon was 7-4, 4-4, coming off a 37-10 loss to Arizona 6-5, 4-4, the previous week, while OSU 7-4, 5-3, chalked up a 30-7 win over Stanford 1-10, 1-7, that same Saturday. Winning the Civil War would determine the invitation to a better, bigger, warmer bowl.
The following were the Oregon State seniors playing their last game at Reser Stadium in 2006. Each was recognized prior to kickoff:
Joel Cohen, LS, Bartlett, IL Zach Harris, OL, Portland, OR
Rickey Herrod, CB, Sacramento, CA Ruben Jackson, WR, Stockton, CA
Adam Koets, OT, Santa Ana, California Joe Lemma, DE, Westlake Village, CA
Josh Linehan, OT, Banks, OR Kellen Marshall, CB, Las Vegas, Nevada
Matt Moore, QB, Valencia, CA Joe Newton, TE, Roseburg, OR
Sabby Piscitelli, SS, Boca Raton, FL Ben Siegert, DT, Glendale, Arizona
Jason Vandiver, TE, Whittier, CA
Here's the AP wire service story, courtesy of the ESPN web site archive (copyright 2006).
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP)—In the pouring rain, Alexis Serna hit his 40-yard field goal and began leaping all over the field in victory, pumping his fists.
Serna has made some tough, pressure-packed kicks before, and he was last season's Lou Groza Award winner for the nation's best kicker.
But this was the Civil War.
Less than a minute later, Oregon State's defense came through and blocked a potential game-winning field goal by the Ducks. The Beavers won the 110th edition of the Civil War 30-28.
"We're certainly proud of our kicker. I can't say enough about him," Oregon State coach Mike Riley said. "He's a part of our great story through the years."
Oregon's Matt Evensen, put in after kicker Paul Martinez was ineffective, attempted a 44-yard field goal with 20 seconds left, but Ben Siegert knocked it down and the home team won this in-state rivalry for the 10th straight season.
"That's a difficult one to swallow in that we came back and gave ourselves an opportunity to win and our kicking game let us down," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said.
Bellotti started quarterback Brady Leaf after a week of speculation on whether he would stick with Dennis Dixon, who had struggled of late. It was Leaf's first start for the Ducks.
Dixon did not play.
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about 1 month ago
Nice work Larry, 5* and POTD
It's gonna be a great game!
GO DUCKS!
from about 1 month ago
Hi Cameron,
Thank you for the read, rating and POTD.
This may be the rivalry game of the year.
--Larry
about 1 month ago
God
Damn
Matt
Evenson
from about 1 month ago
Hi Brett,
Thank you for the read and your comments.
It wasn't one of Matt's best days, that's for sure.
Thanks,
--Larry
about 1 month ago
This is a great series, Larry. Good job.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Colin,
Thank you for the read.
--Larry
about 1 month ago
Larry,
What about the '98 Civil War with the Kenny Simonton running it in for the game-winner? That game comes immediately to my mind when I think of this amazing rivalry as it was the first Civil War I payed attention to as a yound teenager and new to the area as well as to the Beavers.
It is also is one of the, if not THE, definitive games that brought Oregon State out of the awful unending period of mediocre to downright unwatchable football between the 60's and 90's.
That would be my choice...
Also...what is your early pick for this year's Civil War? As a diehard, orange-bleeding young Beaver fan, it'd be nice to get an opinion from a (seemingly;) objective Duck fan.
GO BEAVS
MAKE IT 3 IN A ROW AND ROSES!!!
Join the Orange Revolution...
from about 1 month ago
I was at that game and Simonton broke my heart, but my Grandpa was with me and he was a Beaver, and it was a terrific game for him and his compatriots. I have to agree with Revolution on this one Larry, sorry.
I miss you Bapa, but GO DUCKS!
from about 1 month ago
Hi O.R.
Thank you for the read and your comments.
The '98 Civil War was an exceptional game and certainly ranks as one of the all-time OSU greats. Had to flip a coin as to whether to go with that one or '06. Came up "Heads," so I went with '06." This game was also a better fit with my Part II, 2005 Duck game. But, it could've worked with the'98 as well, but would've required a different approach.
My 112th Civil War pick is in Part IV, and God willing, I publish that sometime tomorrow.
Thank you again,
--Larry
about 1 month ago
great job Larry..a full documentary/stoker
from about 1 month ago
Hi Stoker,
Thank you for the read and comment.
Appreciate the compliment from a senior writer.
Thank you,
--Larry
about 1 month ago
I'm surprised you picked this one. I would have gone with either last year's where they broke the home team winning streak, or the one from 2000 where they kept us out of the Rose Bowl.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Nate,
Thank you for the read and comments.
Let's just say it was difficult choice. Others in contention included much earlier games involving the later NFL greats of Oregon's Mel Renfro and OSU's Terry Baker. Also had to consider the legendary Len Casanova and "The Great Pumpkin" Dee Andros.
In the end, because the game, the teams and the coaching have changed so much from those earlier era's, recent games took on added weight.
But like the Civil War itself, everyone has their own favorite and will defend to the death the reasons for why that is a better choice for being the greatest game.
from about 1 month ago
Very true. I think another reason to give the 2007 CW the node would be that it was OSU's first time since '73 and '74 that they had won back-to-back Civil Wars. I'm not a Beaver fan obviously so I can't really say which game was the best for them.
about 1 month ago
I got to admit, after a half rack mind you, this is my favorite CW win going back to 78 and Reggie Ogburn. KH’s punt return was awesome in 2000 but 65-38? c’mon! As a life long Oregonian and Duck fan there is nothing better than knocking OSewe out of the Rose Bowl. In fact, for me, beating the bark rats today tops the 1994 win in Corn Valley for the Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl.
where was this vaunted OSewe d I’ve heard all about since SC???
GO DUCKS!!!!!
friggin bark rats! NO ROSES FOR OSewe
from about 1 month ago
Hi Jeff,
Welcome to the Bleacher Report. Believe you'll enjoy being a member of the best open sports forum out there.
I must agree, as an avowed Duck fan, I can't think of a single Oregon game that comes close to the win yesterday at Reser. I think this one will go down as a once in a lifetime experience. Glad I was alive to see it. While over-used, the word awesome describes the game perfectly.
Looking forward to reading your articles as well.
Thank you for the read and comments.
--Larry
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