The Civil War in September? Seriously?
Yet another consequence of realignment is that one of college football’s historically great rivalry games, which was traditionally played every November, is taking place in September during the 2024 season.
The Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers are playing on September 14 in Corvallis.
The Rivalry Game Formerly Known as the Civil War
The Ducks and Beavers first played 130 years ago, in 1894.
Their annual rivalry game, long known as the Civil War, is the fifth most-played game in the FBS. Through 2023, the teams have met 127 times. In the wake of protests stemming from the killing of George Floyd, the teams agreed in 2020 to stop referring to the game as the Civil War.
The Oregon and Oregon State campuses are only 50 miles apart from one another. Both campuses are located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Unofficially, the team that wins the annual rivalry game receives the Platypus Trophy.
The Ducks have won 67 times, the Beavers have won 49 times, and there have been ten ties.
The Oregonian appropriately describes the rivalry as “the best rivalry in the country.” While some may have a different viewpoint, The Oregonian is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the West Coast and the largest and most respected newspaper in the State of Oregon. Its perspective on this subject is understandable in light of its location and readership.
Schedule-Shuffling Was Necessary to Make the Rivarly Game Happen in 2024
When Oregon bolted from the Pac-12, along with USC, UCLA, and Washington, the future of the annual rivalry game between the Ducks and Beavers was uncertain. But, the schools, their alumni, and fans would not let the historic rivalry die. Pressure was exerted in the right places. The schools scrambled to juggle their schedules, and the rivalry has been perpetuated, at least for now.
However, the schedule-shuffling did have the odd effect of taking the rivalry game which had traditionally been dramatically played at the end of the season, and moving it up to the beginning of the season — in September.
The Beavers/Ducks Rivalry Is Both Intense and Quirky
The New York Times describes the quirky rivalry between the two Oregon schools:
“In the broadest, most stereotypical sense, one of the oldest rivalries in college football pits Ducks against Beavers, hippies against farmers, liberals against conservatives. It is defined by proximity and mediocrity, by civility and acrimony, by close games and foul weather and the last 0-0 tie in Division I.”
Books have been written about the historic rivalry, delving into how the annual game often “pits family members against one another, splitting the allegiance of an entire state. ”
Before one clash between the teams in the 1960s, Ducks supporters “kidnapped” Oregon State’s homecoming queen and sent out a ransom note. They returned her unharmed shortly thereafter.
In 1972, an on-field brawl between fans of the teams occurred.
College Football Fans Deserve the Preservation of Historic Rivalries Like the Rivalry Between Oregon and Oregon State
Realignment should not strip college football fans of great rivalries like that between Oregon and Oregon State. 130 years of history means something.
The game formerly known as the Civil War “has become a fixture of the sports scene in the state of Oregon.” Players and fans on both sides get up for the game, and the winning side has bragging rights for a year. It is the type of rivalry that makes sports great.
Great Oregon Ducks include Ahmad Rashad and Dan Fouts. Great Oregon State Beavers include Chad Ocho Cinco and Steven Jackson.
Preserve the game formerly known as the Civil War!
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