When Oregon blanked the No. 22 Arizona Wildcats 49-0, I was not in the press box, I was with my fellow Duck students in the student section.
However, early on in the game it was clear that something was different in this student section than in others I’ve enjoyed my past three years at the University. I’m not going to say I didn’t have a great time, because I did; it was just different.
The past couple weeks, and even dating back to last year, students and fans alike are used to not only seeing the Ducks dominate opponents but do it in the incredibly fast, flashy way that has become synonymous with Chip Kelly’s offense.
Especially with the remarkable start to the season and Heisman candidacy of De’Anthony Thomas, it seems as though every play should be at least a 35-yard burst down around the edge where the Momba breaks out his head-scratching speed.
The game on Saturday was simply not like that for Marcus Mariota and the Ducks though.
Not only was a majority of the game played rather sloppily by Oregon, but there were also no standout performances or moments that really captivated the fans.
After looking seemingly untouchable during non-conference play, De’Anthony came back to earth — at least for a week. He rushed the ball 12 times for 48 yards and was outgained by the new offensive weapon, tight-end-turned-halfback Colt Lyerla.
When Rob Beard knocked in his second field goal of the game right before the half to give the Ducks a 13-0 lead, the response in the student section, and what appeared to be in Autzen as a whole, was somewhat lackluster.
It was at this point I realized something — the newest additions to the Duck family have become spoiled.
Since the beginning of Chip Kelly’s tenure in 2009, Oregon fans have been lucky enough to see the Ducks go to a BCS game each year, and last year saw the program’s first Rose Bowl win since 1917.
Not only have they reached these BCS bowls, they have done so in style, wearing uniforms that reflect the fast pace and flashy way in which they take the field.
Apparently it has gotten to the point where a methodical drive down the field resulting in three points just doesn’t have the same allure for fans it once did.
There are countless programs throughout the country that would love to have the ability to drive down the field and put three points on the board before heading into the locker room, but for Duck fans, that simply doesn’t cut it anymore.
This new age of Duck fans doesn’t know or remember the hard times the program has faced. We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the fruits of countless years of work (and a little help from Uncle Phil) and have been able to see Oregon grow into a national brand.
In the end though, the Ducks dismantled Arizona 49-0. And shouldn’t beating a conference foe by nearly 50 points be reason to cheer just a bit?