Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

Somewhat Entertained

Peter E.

October 4, 2009 - 3:37 PM

The Washington State beat down last night was summed up best by a Wazzu fan nursing a long neck outside Autzen Stadium at halftime as a steady parade of green and yellow clad Duck fans made the early trip back across the Autzen footbridge: "Are you not entertained?!"

The Ducks made quick and ugly work of their Pac-10 opponent posting a lopsided 42-0 score during the first half. Running back LaMichael James ran wild and tight end Ed Dickson turned in another highlight reel performance in the first half to give the Ducks an insurmountable lead.

As a fan though, the night was sub-par. Fans trickled into Autzen Stadium leisurely during the first quarter, enjoying their tailgates as long as possible (only to return shortly afterward). The normal electricity in the Stadium was only supplied by the Duck's lightning yellow jerseys-the crowd had plenty to cheer about, but we collectively knew the scrimmage had little meaning. I actually began to feel sympathy for the Cougars' players and fans. For players, it would be demoralizing to know you are the doormat of the Pac-10 and have to continue practicing and playing with the knowledge that you are going to lose every week. For fans, I respect them for making the trip to Eugene to support a team that went 1-11 last season and looks like they're destined for the same record this year; they stick with their team win or lose. Nonetheless, Cougar nation has to be hurting. As my friends and I left the stadium, we felt like we were witnesses to a violent crime-somehow guilty by association for the brutality we unleashed on the Cougars.

Not to dwell in the Cougars' misery too long though, the Ducks look poised to make a run at the Pac-10 title this year. We climbed the rankings this week to number 13 in the AP poll and 17 in the USA Today poll. The Ducks remain unbeaten in Pac-10 play, and it's hard not to look ahead to Halloween when the Ducks host USC in what could be a battle for the Pac-10 supremacy. Not to get ahead of myself though, I'll enjoy this blowout for the next week and anxiously look ahead to the game against UCLA on Saturday. It's hard not to be entertained by Duck football.