Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2003)
Adam Amato Photo Editor Senior linebacker Kevin Mitchell, who will play his final home game Saturday, has more than 350 tackles in his Oregon career. An Autzen farewell Saturday’s game against Oregon State marks the final game at Autzenfor Oregon’s senior players By Hank Hager Sports Editor One-by-one, they'll come through the Autzen Stadium tunnel, roaring through as their names are an nounced by Don Essig, the public ad dress announcer. They'll have the 56,000-plus in at tendance cheer at the top of their lungs, mostly for what they've helped accomplish in the last four or five years, but also for the memories they've afforded Oregon's faithful. Such is the life of a graduating sen ior on Civil War Saturday. "It's going to be exciting, but at the same time, a little bit sad," fullback Matt Floberg said. "I'll miss it, but it's the Civil War, so my mind will be on other things." Floberg is one of a number of sen iors who will step through the tunnel for the last time. That list includes quarterback Jason Fife, a catalyst in the Oregon offense for the past two seasons; linebacker Kevin Mitchell, by all accounts the heart and soul of the Ducks' defense seemingly since he stepped on the field for the first time in 2000; and center Dan Weaver, a for mer walk-on who battled the odds to earn a scholarship. There are players leaving like wide receiver Sarnie Parker, who has been one of the fastest players in the na tion. Keith Lewis, almost a once-in-a-life time find at Oregon, will leave as one of the most consistent members of the secondary in recent memory. Then there are players like defen sive linemen Junior Siavii and Quinn Dorsey, whose careers in Eugene have taken different twists and turns. Siavii's career came to Oregon after one season at Butte Junior College, while Dorsey sat out the entire 2002 season because of personal reasons. He came back after five-game suspen sion this season stemming from an NCAA violation and has given depth to a depleted line. "I think they've done a very good job," Oregon head coach Mike Bellot ti said of his team's seniors. "Obvious ly it's hasn't been a huge group, but 1 think they've hung together and helped turn this season around, and I'm very proud of them. I'm going to miss every one of them. They're a great group of kids who have left their mark on the field and some of them have been great leaders, in terms of keeping the laugh quotient available for the team, and others have done it on the field." The group is leaving after seeing some of the best years of Oregon foot ball. For the members of the group who have been with the Ducks for five sea sons — such as Mitchell, Fife and Parker — they've helped accumulate a 44-16 record through that span. The four-year players, like Lewis and Floberg, will enter the game against Oregon State with a 35-13 record. Turn to SENIORS, page 20B UO players teach each other about Civil War's importance Athletes from outside Oregon quickly learn about the importance of the Civil War upon arrival By Jon Roetman Sports Reporter The emotion of the Civil War is something that Duck and Beaver fans experience every year. The concept seems natural from a spectator's point of view: The guys in the green and yellow hate the guys in the black and orange. Right? It's not that simple. Unlike those who grew up in Ore gon and were taught at a young age which university to despise, most of the athletes who grace the Ducks ros ter are from another state. Jerry Matson, Kevin Mitchell and Demetrius Williams are three such players who weren't born into dislik ing Oregon State, instead acquiring a hatred of the Beavers upon their ar rival to Eugene. Matson, a native of Edmonds, Wash., said once an athlete comes to Oregon, he is immediately accepted by his peers and the fans. They quickly drill the importance of the rivalry into the player's mind. "Between 60,000 fans and the hun dreds of people you know, they don't let you feel like an outsider," the jun ior linebacker said. "The first year you're here, you kind of get a feel for how important it is. Then, once you Turn to RIVALRY, page 15B ' Keep your dote or LOSE YOUR LICENSE. Under Oregon's new MIP law, drivers under 21 who fail to appear in court on an alcohol-related offense will automatically lose their drivers license. It's just one more reason why driving sober is the way to go. Drive Sober. The Way to Go. Transportation Safety — ODOT 017098 You’ve got the Domino’s Student Value Menu Order by number! #1 12” Pizza with your favorite topping.$5.99 #2 12” One-topping pizza & two cans of coke.$7.99 #3 14” One-topping pizza & Cheesy Bread.$7.99 #4 14" One-topping pizza & Cinna Stix.$7.99 #5 14” One-topping pizza & 2-liter Coke.$7.99 #6 Two 12” one-topping pizzas.$9.99 #7 12” One-topping pizza & 10 Buffalo Wings.$9.99 #8 14" One-topping pizza, Cheesy Bread & 2-liter Coke.$9.99 #9 12" Nine-topping Exravaganzza.$9.99 • Add a second 12" for only $4 • Add a second 14” for only $6 • Extra toppings $1 per pizza 343-3030 2568 Willamette • Eugene hsuvski ffOTTRS* Willamette and Springfield Monday - Thursday: 4pm -1 am Friday and Saturday: 11am - 2am Sundayz: 11am-1am River Road Monday - Thursday: 4pm - Midnight Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 11am - Midnight 746-3030 1135 Mohawk • Springfield 343-0842 1355 River Road • Eugene Limited delivery areas. $1 delivery charge. Expires 12/31/03. Valid student ID required. Von Klein Property Management, LLC Find the home that fits you. Lowest Selection • Personal Service | Come Viisl Ui Today! 485-7776 • 1301 Ferry
