In Oregon’s last visit to Corvallis, quarterback Akili Smith and the Ducks could not get past a stingy Beaver defense or the rowdy Oregon State fans. The Ducks lost the 1998 Civil War 44-41 in double overtime.
Emerald
1998 war ignited a renewed, uncivil rivalry
■The Ducks’ painful memories of their last visit to Corvallis
include ‘crazy’ Oregon State fans, who spat, swore and kicked
Oregon players after the 44-41 overtime thriller
By Adam Jude
Oregon Daily Emerald
Nov. 21,1998, is a special date in
the history of the Civil War. It was
the day the rivalry between the
Ducks and the Beavers was re
newed.
Yes, there has been a hatred be
tween Eugene and Corvallis for
more than a century, but in 1998,
something sparked the Oregon pro
gram — and that something was the
Oregon State fans.
“Their fans were pretty disre
spectful. They hit us, they spit on
us, they kicked us — they did
everything they could to let us
know that we lost that game,” Ore
gon junior cornerback Rashad Bau
man said of the post-game festivi
ties. “It really ignited something
that was dead. That made this rival
ry even bigger and makes us want
them even more.”
For two years, the Oregon foot
ball program has tried to forget
about its horrifying experience dur
ing its last visit to Corvallis.
But this Saturday, the nightmares
could return.
Saliva could fly. Words could be
exchanged. Tears could fall.
If Oregon State fans are even re
motely as excited for this year’s
mammoth Civil War contest as they
were for the game in 1998, Oregon
will have more than the Beaver
football team to worry about.
In the 44-41 double-overtime
thriller at then-Parker Stadium, the
Oregon State celebration became
more than that — it was a riot.
Beaver students and fans stormed
the field not once, but twice (once
prematurely).
In the first overtime of the war,
Oregon State scored first to take a
38-31 lead, and it appeared the
Beavers had won after an Akili
Smith pass on fourth down fell in
complete. Jubilant Beaver fans
quickly hit the goal posts and the
field, but it was too early to cele
brate. Pass interference was called
on the Beavers, giving the Ducks
new life and eventually another
touchdown to tie the contest.
Earlier in the game, during regu
lation, it had appeared that the
Ducks had the game in control. But
then, late in the fourth quarter, Ore
gon’s Michael Fletcher fumbled on
a punt when he attempted to leap
over the ball.
“It was probably my worst play
of the year,” Fletcher told the Emer
ald after the game. “It had to come
down to a turnover, and I was the
one to make the turnover.”
Both teams would score again be
fore the end of regulation, with the
Beavers’ final drive credited to the
heroics of then-freshman quarter
back Jonathan Smith (who will lead
the Beavers again this Saturday).
Alas, the miracle of the day fa
vored Oregon State, a team that fin
ished off its heated rival to secure
its best record (5-6 overall) in 27
years.
Then the scene went wild. Goal
posts fell on people, and people
spit at football players while they
ran for cover.
“Those fans are crazy,” Oregon
senior linebacker Michael Callier
said. “After the game, we lost and
all, but we always go and pray. We
were at the 50-yard line, and peo
ple were coming over and cussing
in our ears and spitting on us.”
And, obviously, the Ducks don’t
hope for a repeat performance, es
pecially the seniors.
“I felt horrible for the seniors af
ter that [1998] game,” senior line
backer Garrett Sabol said. “And I
don’t want that same feeling. I’m
going to do everything I can to
win.”
An Oregon victory Saturday
would not only prevent the de
struction of public property and
save fans from potentially life
threatening situations, but it would
clinch a Rose Bowl berth for the na
tion’s fifth-ranked team.
A loss could send Oregon all the
way to Hawaii for the Aloha Bowl.
Or at least down to the Sun Bowl in
El Paso, Texas.
“Losing would be disastrous no
matter what’s at stake,” Callier said.
“Nobody wants to lose, to the
Beavers. It’s the Civil War — this is
going to be a monstrous game. ...
The winner gets the braggin’ rights
for the entire state.
“And it’s even bigger because
they finally have a good team.”
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