Oregon vs. Boise State

Korrin B.

September 4, 2009 - 5:00 PM

Ok, so, although the topic is already flooding the web waves of Facebook, Twitter, ESPN, and other various news and social networking devices, I still feel like I should address it here in my blog. For those who are not familiar with the situation, last night Oregon began its much anticipated Ducks football season with an away game at Boise State. There was a lot of hype behind this game not only because it was the first game of the season, but also because it was a close match up of two teams ranked in the top 25 and Oregon was looking to regain its pride after experiencing a loss to Boise State at Autzen last season. The game began in a handshake and ended in a punch.

Yesterday, I left Napa with my aunt and cousin to go into San Francisco for the day. I was aware that the Ducks would be playing that evening, but had enough faith in my team that I didn't feel like it was absolutely necessary for me to be there, watching the game, from the very start. I decided I could indulge myself in the city and then maybe catch the end of the game when we returned.\

I was excited to get back into the big city. After experiencing New York, I decided that I love big city life, so a day out in San Francisco should leave me nostalgic for New York, right? Well, although San Francisco was indeed fabulous and very beautiful, I came up with an analogy that I think best describes the difference I was feeling being in the Bay Area. It goes as follows: New York is to cheetah, as San Francisco is to snail. I remember when I first got to New York I felt so slow amongst everyone else. Why were they all in such a big hurry? I was the slow, easygoing girl from California who just walked peacefully and with love. However, as I adapted to my space, I inherited the hurried excitement of New York. I embraced the super crowded streets and eight floor stores. So, when I got back to San Francisco in Northern California, I was still the fast paced New Yorker I had played for the last few months. As I walked with my aunt and cousin and by other people on the streets, I found myself constantly having to slow it down. I noticed the larger amounts of space around me as well and an overall calmness. It was even quieter. San Francisco is definitely different than New York, but as we drove toward the Golden Gate Bridge as the sun set orange over the bay, I realized that I'm happy they're different. Each is perfect in a unique way.

When we got into Napa, I looked at my cell phone that was about to die. I had a text from my dad asking if I had any duck gear I could throw on because we were in need of help. We had to make one more stop before going home so that my aunt could buy an outfit for her interview the following day. I was getting worried though. I insisted on walking through the store just holding the first yellow and the first green shirts I found. I think my aunt and cousin thought I was a little obsessive, but then again, I am - because I'm a Duck fan!!

I sang the Oregon Fight Song (yes, I proudly know the lyrics) the whole drive home much to the chagrin of my relatives. Once back at my aunt's house, I turned the TV on to ESPN first thing only to find out we were down 19 to zero. However, during the time it took me to turn on the TV and put on my Oregon hoodie, we scored our first touchdown. I took full credit, of course. I watched on, hoping and pleading for a victory, but when the game came to a conclusion, the score remained, 19-8 Boise. I was upset, but what happened next seemed surreal. It took me a minute to process. There, live on ESPN, was our running back, LeGarrette Blount, punching a Boise State player in the jaw, pushing around his own teammates, and being restrained by police from going after a heckling crowd.

My feelings at the time were mixed and still remain so. I don't think that Blount's response was at all, in the least bit, appropriate. In fact, I felt a slight embarrassment, knowing that at that moment he was representing the University of Oregon and that people were getting an incorrect image of who we are and what we stand for as the Ducks. However, I was also feeling flustered that it seemed everyone was ignoring the other side of the picture as well. Blount had obviously been provoked and who knows what the fans were yelling at him. Because he was a Duck, I felt a need to stand by his side despite the disastrous circumstances.

There is never a good reason to respond to something with violence and it is a shame that this was the case at the end of the Boise State vs. Oregon game. I just read earlier, as well, that it has been decided to suspend Blount from the team for the rest of the season. It is sad, but I do see the need of the University to take these measures in order to restore its integrity. I only have two hopes as we go onward into the 2009 football season. First, I hope that this bitter ending will not leave a bad taste on the rest of the season. I hope that everyone can move on and enjoy the glory and excitement that is Ducks football and that other teams will respect our need to do so as well. My second hope is for Blount himself. I hope that people will not remember him solely for the forty-second clip from the end of the game that has now been played on all channels and websites ad nauseam. People have their ups and people have their downs. Let's respect that and move on.

Here's to a great rest of the 2009 Ducks Football season! I love Oregon! GOOOOO DUCKS!!