Walking towards the elevator marked “Press Access Only” in Autzen Stadium on Saturday night, I had to pause for a second. In my previous time at the University, I had attended games only as a student. To cover the game as a member of the press for the first time was a strange feeling, and I still hadn’t quite gotten used to it. In my mind, I still didn’t belong in that elevator.
 
Of course, once we arrived on the press box level and took our seats, I began to feel much more at home. Really, it’s hard not to feel at home in Autzen’s press box. I’ve been lucky enough to sit in a few skyboxes at professional stadiums, and this experience really wasn’t much different.
 
The bird’s eye view of the field was spectacular, and from this vantage point it was easy to appreciate the beauty of Autzen Stadium. As fans slowly but surely filtered in, it was as if a sea of green and yellow was unfolding before my eyes. It was really a sight to behold.
Then, of course, there was the food, itself a glorious sight. The press box spread included freshly baked lasagna, bread, veggies, fountain drinks, and (thankfully) coffee. Gleefully scrapping as much food as possible onto my plate, I remember thinking, “I could get used to this.”
 
The real work started after the opening kickoff. The transition from fan to unbiased reporter was difficult to say the least, and it felt very strange to silently look on as LaMichael James scored the game’s first touchdown. It is an unwritten law there can be no cheering in the press box, and when the Ducks are playing well that rule can be awfully hard to follow.
 
Covering the game also shed light on just how fast-paced the Ducks’ offense is. Frequently, I looked away from the game to quickly note what happened on a play, and subsequently missed the next big run. Now I know what Dennis Erickson meant when he talked about how explosive Oregon’s offense is. It’s tough to keep up with from the press box; I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like on the field. You really can’t ever look away when the Ducks are on the field.
 
Which brings me to the student section. The students never take their eyes off the game, and this was very clear from my view high above the field. I have always loved the student section and how important it is to the Ducks, but attending a game away from the loudest fans in college athletics made me appreciate them even more.
 
I had to smile when, with just about two minutes left in the game and the Ducks leading by 20, the fans were still howling for LeGarrette Blount to enter the game. So hungry was the crowd for a No. 9 sighting that it cheered wildly when Remene Alston Jr. entered the game, thinking he was Blount. He’s a good 50 pounds heavier and six inches taller than Alston, which shows just how desperate Duck fans were to see him. From my outside perspective, it was great to see how genuinely the crowd wanted Blount to complete his redemption (alas, he’ll have to wait at least another week).
 
So, there’s a trade-off with the luxuries that come with the press box. Sure, there’s delicious free food and prime seats with a great view of the action. But you miss out a little on what really makes Autzen Stadium great: the fans and the atmosphere. I loved covering the game as a member of the press, and hope to be able to do it again in the future. But I have to admit, a part of me will always yearn to be in the student section shouting myself hoarse on game days.
 
Thankfully, I will have another chance to enjoy a game as a fan in a few weeks. I’ll be sure to savor the experience, and never take my eyes away from the action. As the Ducks taught me on Saturday, every moment at Autzen Stadium should be appreciated to its fullest, no matter where you sit.
 
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