Memories of the 1998 Civil War in Corvallis’ then-Parker Stadium still don’t sit well with Oregon players and coaches, but it has nothing to do with a dramatic, 44-41 double-overtime loss.
What chaps head coach Mike Bellotti’s hide is what happened after Oregon State’s Ken Simonton ran into the end zone for the win, and what happened at the end of the first overtime when fans presumed the game to be over:
Total chaos.
Oregon players and coaches were mobbed and harassed by unrestricted Oregon State fans who stormed the field in wild celebration of their team’s upset win.
Bellotti’s voice turns gravely serious when he recalls the situation, which involved taunting, name calling and bottle throwing. Players talk about trying to pray afterward, and not being able to without fans shouting in their ears to “get off” of their field.
“After that game, I witnessed a lot of things that I never want to witness again,” defensive end Saul Patu said. “It’s not something I fear or am afraid of, but it’s a determination that I’m never going to be treated like that again.”
“It was a very difficult situation,” Bellotti said. “Our kids remember that, I remember that and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
When asked how he feels two years after the incident, Bellotti didn’t say whether he is still angered by what happened.
“That was an out-of-control situation,” he said. “That was detrimental to the game of football.”
Since September, Oregon State has taken steps to prevent such a scene from happening again.
Oregon State Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart met with Oregon Athletic Department officials Monday to present his department’s “tactical plan” for controlling the Reser Stadium crowd Saturday.
Michelle Jones, Oregon State University Director of Operations, said that the rough draft of the plan puts 334 Coast-to-Coast security personnel, Benton County and Oregon State Police in and around the stadium.
Jones said the security boost, up from the usual number of 210, is a 63-percent increase that surpasses any West Coast college football game she can remember.
“I don’t even see a chance of people getting between our security staff and our officers to get to either side of the bench,” Jones said.
According to the plan, each team’s head coach will be guarded by two Oregon State troopers, one Benton County reserve and two Coast-to-Coast event staff members. Both teams will have two Benton County reserves and two event staff members assigned to them. Each referee will have an Oregon State Police trooper. Four event staff members will be stationed near Oregon’s band.
“All the communities combined are really excited right now,” Jones said. “I think for the most part, there’s been good sportsmanship so far this year at Oregon State’s home games.”
The Corvallis Fire Department will double its presence with 14 firemen-medics and an engine.
Meanwhile, the Corvallis Police Department will work outside of the stadium with traffic and community watch. Lt. Ron Noble said the parties could go long into the night, but said he’s confident that the victory celebrations will be safe.
“We’re looking forward to and encouraging everyone to come to Corvallis and have a great time, and to have a great celebration when Oregon State wins and Washington loses,” Noble said.