Across the state of Oregon, families have been divided over one thing for decades. It’s not about Pepsi or Coke or whether pineapple should be on pizza; it’s about Ducks and Beavers.

Since 1894, when the teams were called the Oregon Webfoots and the Oregon Agriculture College Aggies, the Ducks and Beavers have been battling on the gridiron once a year. 

Both Oregon schools were founding members of the Pacific Coast Conference, which later became the Pac-12 conference, in 1915 alongside Washington and UC Berkeley.   

Oregon has won the majority of the games against Oregon State with a record of 69-49-10 heading into this year’s matchup. The Ducks and Beavers both held the longest win streaks at eight wins. 

The biggest win in the rivalry’s history belongs to the 2017 Ducks when they beat the Beavers 69-10 at Autzen Stadium. Ducks running backs Royce Freeman and Kani Benoit both ran for 122 yards apiece and combined for three touchdowns. 

Following Oregon’s move to the Big Ten, the Ducks and Beavers announced that they would continue to play as non-conference opponents in 2024 and 2025. Recently it was announced that the Ducks and Beavers had reached a six game deal starting in 2027, but still no plans were made for 2026.

This marks the first interruption of annual games since a three-year hiatus from 1942 to 1945 due to World War II. The decision to put the rivalry on hold next season has some Ducks fans upset about the absence of the rivalry game and what conference realignment has done to this rivalry.

“I think it’s disappointing,” current Oregon senior Quincy Munyan said. “The Civil War is a game that us Duck fans look forward to every single year because of how much excitement and hype the game brings.”

“I miss the Pac-12 for sure,” Munyan said. “I’m glad the Ducks were able to find a new conference home where they are able to continue to compete at a high level.”

In 2023, the No. 6 Ducks faced off against the No. 16 Beavers in what would become their last game as conference opponents. The Ducks dominated early off the passing of quarterback Bo Nix, who threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns. The Ducks would go on to win 31-7 and earn a spot in the Pac-12 championship.

“I think rivalry games are an opportunity for schools to show out all of their pride, and that is certainly true for the University of Oregon and Oregon State,” Oregon senior Jason Chin said. “I think myself and many students hope the game will continue because it is such a storied tradition.”

“Oregon leaving the Pac-12 was hard for me to see because it was my favorite conference before it broke up,” Chin said. “I also saw it as an opportunity for Oregon to play some tougher competition and see fun matchups. At the same time, though, I realized that it would separate us from Oregon State. I wasn’t as devastated, though, thinking that we would still be scheduled to play them anyways.” 

In the 2010 rivalry game, the Ducks and Beavers battled in the first half, but the Ducks ran away with the game after halftime, winning 37-20. Headlining the game was the legendary Oregon backfield of Kenjon Barner and LaMichael James, who ran a combined 267 yards and scored four total touchdowns. This win punched the Ducks’ ticket to the BCS National Championship game.

It’s not just the fans who hope to see the rivalry continue, but also Ducks head coach Dan Lanning.

“I’d love to keep the rivalry alive,” Lanning said at a postgame press conference after last season’s edition. “I think it’s great for the state of Oregon and for both schools. That’s not something we want to see go away.”

The No. 6 Ducks play the 0-3 Beavers on Sept. 20 at Autzen Stadium, the 129th meeting between the two teams.  Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PST.