Being one of about 10-20 Cal fans that stayed the whole game (not counting the band), please indulge the long post.
Let me start by saying that I have been going to Cal games for over 30 years and that was only matched by 1994 61-0 at USC in terms of a total downer. And I don't mean in terms of the crappy weather or the bad loss, just how it felt. It was completely demoralizing. The team came unhinged in a lot of ways. We all thought we would be 1-3, but I hoped we would improve week to week and I thought we would win 6 of the remaining and be a "hot" team by season's end. I am now worried about the team's morale. Yes, many played hard all night, but that was a badly beaten team that better be handled just so or the wheels will come off.
There were some proud, tough young men on the Cal sidelines that looked completely humbled and mentally beaten at the end. They need to regroup big time.
Here is a grab bag of other observations from this my third trip to see a game here:
- As always, Eugene is beautiful. Not even the rain could spoil that. Duck fans have their pockets of heavy drinkers that get obnoxious, but over all they are a lot of salt of the earth types with not much more to get passionate about (sports wise) then their Ducks. They are very committed fans and, while not as hospitable as say a Tennessee, they're not bad. The locals care more about the Ducks than do the students which is interesting. All that good said, they are one of the most myopic fan basis I've met. You talk about seeing your team through blinders, well they are very very biased and will forgive a lot for their beloved Ducks. I suppose that kind of "compromising of values" is the one thing that knocks them down a peg in my mind. Most of these kind people would not philosophically support some of the purchasing of a program and pushing of the envelope in any other arena of their life. Enough said on that.
- Stadium are something to behold. Very well set up for tailgating and fan experience. Again, the caveat here is it puts on full display the hypocrisy of student-athlete when your facilities outshine professional teams. But hey, it's a great place to watch a game.
- Atmosphere is pretty darn good. A lot of captivating spectacle that still feels collegiate. If I were a player, I'd be excited by it. Makes some of the commercialism and ongoing trend towards generic at Memorial look that much worse. They have several cheers and "moments" that get the players and fans very jacked up. Their fans have totally bought in and create a very positive and emotional setting. It's not haughty and entitled like USC. It does, however, ring a little tin at moments when some of the traditions feel recently created under their new success. Sort of nouveau riche--but who can blame them.
- Cal fans. What a disappointment. The turn out was very very small and quiet. Band was great, but it felt like there were 500 of us and we were not a loud or intimidating bunch. The contrast to what Ohio State brought and what I've seen out of our fans before, made this a pretty sad showing. Add to that that up through halftime I had met only pretty decent Duck fans and the first prick of the evening was a dour, whiny Cal fan pushing his way down the aisle with a big frown (generally being crusty and bitter the whole half)--did not make me love our crew.
- That game was so sloppy. I know fumbles are hustle plays, but come on. We needed a break in this game and 7 minutes in we have lost all three of our fumbles and they've recovered all three of theirs? God hates us.
- All day long I'd see our backs gash off a congested tackle or just try and squeeze through tiny gaps with fake by QB that no one was buying and never provided a counter play...while Oregon backs actually succeeded on the very jukes that have left our backs trampled all season so far--they were able to jump stop in gaps a yard beyond the line of scrimmage and assess cut backs. Bigs has lost explosion and our line is not opening up holes.
- Kline looked like a leader on the field. He looked strong and brought energy to the field. The way he steps up into the pocket to avoid pressure is a thing of beauty. I've been rooting for this kid and he looked good. That said (and I am surprised I am saying this), Goff is a much better passer. Goff throws a variety of passes and seems to read quicker and better. Kline threw balls he shouldn't and had some uncatchable passes when receivers were very open. Yes weather effected this and yes Goff has thrown into coverage too--but not the same glaring errors that Kline seemed to make. It's tough. In Kline you have real leader and a guy that would start at 90% of the teams and looks like an NFL prospect. Goff fits this offense better though. I hope they both stay and play.
- I did everything in my power to be unbiased towards the refs, but boy were they influenced by home crowd (something I have never felt that we are a reverse beneficiary of except back in Harmon days). There were so many holds directly at the point of attack that go uncalled. I've seen this every Oregon game for the past 3-4 years. The body of evidence is pretty clear that it is built into their system and I can't believe coaches haven't pressured conference more on this. The PI in endzone on Kline interception was really really bad. It was more than a little contact while ball was in the air...but Kline should not have thrown that and Whitehurst (was that him) ran the softest root and pouted after the play. Weak. It all happened right in front of me and I was mad and embarrassed at the same time.
Let me start by saying that I have been going to Cal games for over 30 years and that was only matched by 1994 61-0 at USC in terms of a total downer. And I don't mean in terms of the crappy weather or the bad loss, just how it felt. It was completely demoralizing. The team came unhinged in a lot of ways. We all thought we would be 1-3, but I hoped we would improve week to week and I thought we would win 6 of the remaining and be a "hot" team by season's end. I am now worried about the team's morale. Yes, many played hard all night, but that was a badly beaten team that better be handled just so or the wheels will come off.
There were some proud, tough young men on the Cal sidelines that looked completely humbled and mentally beaten at the end. They need to regroup big time.
Here is a grab bag of other observations from this my third trip to see a game here:
- As always, Eugene is beautiful. Not even the rain could spoil that. Duck fans have their pockets of heavy drinkers that get obnoxious, but over all they are a lot of salt of the earth types with not much more to get passionate about (sports wise) then their Ducks. They are very committed fans and, while not as hospitable as say a Tennessee, they're not bad. The locals care more about the Ducks than do the students which is interesting. All that good said, they are one of the most myopic fan basis I've met. You talk about seeing your team through blinders, well they are very very biased and will forgive a lot for their beloved Ducks. I suppose that kind of "compromising of values" is the one thing that knocks them down a peg in my mind. Most of these kind people would not philosophically support some of the purchasing of a program and pushing of the envelope in any other arena of their life. Enough said on that.
- Stadium are something to behold. Very well set up for tailgating and fan experience. Again, the caveat here is it puts on full display the hypocrisy of student-athlete when your facilities outshine professional teams. But hey, it's a great place to watch a game.
- Atmosphere is pretty darn good. A lot of captivating spectacle that still feels collegiate. If I were a player, I'd be excited by it. Makes some of the commercialism and ongoing trend towards generic at Memorial look that much worse. They have several cheers and "moments" that get the players and fans very jacked up. Their fans have totally bought in and create a very positive and emotional setting. It's not haughty and entitled like USC. It does, however, ring a little tin at moments when some of the traditions feel recently created under their new success. Sort of nouveau riche--but who can blame them.
- Cal fans. What a disappointment. The turn out was very very small and quiet. Band was great, but it felt like there were 500 of us and we were not a loud or intimidating bunch. The contrast to what Ohio State brought and what I've seen out of our fans before, made this a pretty sad showing. Add to that that up through halftime I had met only pretty decent Duck fans and the first prick of the evening was a dour, whiny Cal fan pushing his way down the aisle with a big frown (generally being crusty and bitter the whole half)--did not make me love our crew.
- That game was so sloppy. I know fumbles are hustle plays, but come on. We needed a break in this game and 7 minutes in we have lost all three of our fumbles and they've recovered all three of theirs? God hates us.
- All day long I'd see our backs gash off a congested tackle or just try and squeeze through tiny gaps with fake by QB that no one was buying and never provided a counter play...while Oregon backs actually succeeded on the very jukes that have left our backs trampled all season so far--they were able to jump stop in gaps a yard beyond the line of scrimmage and assess cut backs. Bigs has lost explosion and our line is not opening up holes.
- Kline looked like a leader on the field. He looked strong and brought energy to the field. The way he steps up into the pocket to avoid pressure is a thing of beauty. I've been rooting for this kid and he looked good. That said (and I am surprised I am saying this), Goff is a much better passer. Goff throws a variety of passes and seems to read quicker and better. Kline threw balls he shouldn't and had some uncatchable passes when receivers were very open. Yes weather effected this and yes Goff has thrown into coverage too--but not the same glaring errors that Kline seemed to make. It's tough. In Kline you have real leader and a guy that would start at 90% of the teams and looks like an NFL prospect. Goff fits this offense better though. I hope they both stay and play.
- I did everything in my power to be unbiased towards the refs, but boy were they influenced by home crowd (something I have never felt that we are a reverse beneficiary of except back in Harmon days). There were so many holds directly at the point of attack that go uncalled. I've seen this every Oregon game for the past 3-4 years. The body of evidence is pretty clear that it is built into their system and I can't believe coaches haven't pressured conference more on this. The PI in endzone on Kline interception was really really bad. It was more than a little contact while ball was in the air...but Kline should not have thrown that and Whitehurst (was that him) ran the softest root and pouted after the play. Weak. It all happened right in front of me and I was mad and embarrassed at the same time.
