Center Dan Weaver
is Oregon’s only
senior to lead an
inexperienced
offensive line after
the loss of offensive
guard Joey Forster.
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Ducks hope to create
own thunder when
Pack comes calling
Oregon returns to Eugene for its
first home game of the season
where the yellow stands and
uniforms will illuminate Autzen
By Mindi Rice
Senior Sports Reporter
The Oregon Ducks' home debut
won't be fireworks and thunder, but
coach Mike Bellotti and his team are
looking for some lightning to open
play at Autzen Stadium.
"We have to realize every team
comes into Autzen Stadium because
it is a great place to play and a great
college environment," Bellotti said.
"You get energized by that."
The Ducks have a streak of 10 con
secutive home-opening wins that
stretches back to 1993, when they de
feated Montana 35-30.
Two of the eight opening wins dur
ing Bellotti's tenure have been against
the Wolf Pack — 44-30 in 1996 and
36-7 in 2000.
During the time Bellotti has been at
Oregon's helm, the Ducks have not
lost a non-conference game at Autzen
Stadium, an 18-game streak that be
gan in the 1995 season.
"I want to win every game at
home," Oregon center Dan Weaver
said. "You've got t6 start it off win
ning the first one if you want to win
all of them."
For Weaver and 13 other seniors,
this is also their final home opener at
Autzen Stadium.
"It's just so much fun playing at
home — the excitement, the crowd,"
Oregon linebacker Kevin Mitchell
said. "It's a good feeling to know
you're on familiar turf. ”
Oregon's marketing department is
trying to expand that familiarity.
The University Bookstore and lo
cal Duck Shop outlets have shirts
that proclaim "Lightning Strikes"
across a bright yellow T-shirt. The
marketing department's plan calls
for a yellow sea of fans filling Autzen
to the brim.
The "Lightning Strikes" shirts are
available for $7; $1 from each shirt
goes to Oregon's marching band
and cheerleaders.
The vision of yellow-clad fans
matches the vision of yellow-dad
players with new uniforms that made
their football debut in Starkville,
Miss., on Aug. 30.
"A lot of people like (the new uni
forms)," Oregon wide receiver Sarnie
Parker said. "I think people (on the
team) feel good in them, the/re say
ing it makes them feel fast. Certain
colors make people seem faster than
they actually are and I think a lot of
people thought the yellow made
them feel fast."
If the Ducks felt fast against Missis
sippi State, it's because they were.
In the 42-34 victory, the Ducks' top
three rushers — Ryan Shaw, Terrence
Whitehead and Chris Vincent —
combined for 209 yards.
Quarterbacks Kellen Clemens and
Jason Fife combined for 358 yards
and four touchdowns that prompted
several Bulldog fans to leave after the
first quarter.
"It's kind of easy to start off playing
away just because the expectations
aren't really any," Mitchell said.
"We're away, all we have is each other
— the teammates and the coaches —
and we're the underdogs playing on
someone else's field."
The underdog role and the boister
ous Mississippi State fans added to
Oregon's first-game motivation to
help the Ducks grab their first victory
of the season.
"Last week, our players were ener
gized by the cow bells and the excite
ment of the crowd (at Davis Wade
Stadium)," Bellotti said. "It's a
great field."
Similar things that made Mississip
pi State's field a great place to play for
the Ducks also make Autzen a lively
atmosphere at every game. With the
addition of lightning yellow in the
stands, Autzen will look even more
Duck-ed out for the season's first
home game.
Saturday's festivities include the for
mal dedication of Autzen's expansion
and renovation.
Contact the senior sports reporter
at mindirice@dailyemerald.com.
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