Civil War Series Part 1

For Civil War, the battle between Oregon and Oregon State, the game ends the regular season and as of late, has been a chance for the north…Oregon State…to play upset and knock the south…Oregon…down a couple rungs on the bowl ladder.  The Oregon Ducks have won nine of the last ten, the lone OSU win in 2016, the Beavers shocking Oregon 34-24.  The ending in Corvallis was the final straw for Mark Helfrich and he was fired shortly thereafter.  Oregon State Head Coach Gary Andersen was fired shortly after the 2017 season began.

When it comes to Civil War, the series is remarkably civil.  The fans usually get along, the bands share the field and the state of Oregon for one day is either a duck or a beaver. 

For this series, I wanted to talk with fans who are passionate about their teams and people who get to experience this game in different ways.  Let’s talk with two gentlemen who get to walk the sidelines and talk on radio about the game.  Joey McMurry patrols the Oregon sideline while Ron Callan patrols the Oregon State sideline. 

Question 1.  What’s the atmosphere on the sideline like during civil war? Any different than any other game?

JM: “Civil War atmosphere is always fun. It’s a little different than most games for a couple reasons. One, fans know the opposition better. Since the fans are more familiar with the other team, you hear some more detailed heckling, which I always get a kick out of. Fans are smart and creative. Similarly, I know the folks who work around the team and those who cover OSU better than I know a lot of other teams’ staff and media. It’s fun to check in with everyone and get their life update. I’ve always said football media day feels like the first day of school annually; the Civil War feels like music day in elementary school where you have class with all the other classes of your grade. Kinda cool.”
RC: “I would say the atmosphere on the sidelines at a Civil War football game is intense. Both sides of the field know its bragging rights time and they want to brag after the game is over. The big difference is the amount of folks who crave to be close to the action so there are more folks standing on the sidelines at a Civil War game whether you are at Autzen or Reser.. It also normally means the end of the regular season and one of the team's is celebrating Senior Day and many of the seniors have family members who have come a long way to see their guy play his final home game.”
Question 2. Have you had any weird interactions with the opposing fans?

RC: “In 2010 I was hosting a Civil War Pregame show and we had a mic and mic stand out to talk to fans and invited guests. A Duck fan and friend of mine had been imbibing at a tailgate......she all of a sudden ran up to the mic and started screaming GO DUCKS GO DUCKS....louder and louder and then starting saying BEAVERS SUCK! Beavers SUCK....I was afraid she was going to say something worse so I threw to a quick break!

The next day I called her and she said she didn't remember the moment!!”

JM: I honestly haven’t had any weird interactions with Beaver fans. Granted, I’ve got big headphones on when I’m on the sideline and can’t hear much other than what’s coming down from the booth, so maybe I’ve missed some good heckling coming my way!”

Question 3. What does this game mean to you, personally?

JM: “Personally, this game is just fun for me. Seeing everyone who works with the Beavs not just at football but basketball and baseball as well is cool. For me, the best rivalries are passionate, intense and respectful. I’ve always felt like Ducks/Beavers reflects that, and I think that’s something Oregonians should be proud of.”

RC: “This game is a favorite of mine. The Civil War is the state's biggest rivalry moment every November. Love the bad jokes....love the family rivalries.....love the office banter. You and I had many moments on the radio where we gave each other a bad time*. The Civil War is huge in Women's Basketball also. The Beavers have won 14 of the past 15 battles but the two this season February 16 and 18 are gonna be huge! The game at Gill on the 18th will be the ESPN Monday night special...two great teams.

2009 Civil War FB Game was my favorite because the Rose Bowl was on the line...and the most exciting moment....2007 James Rodgers and the fly sweep in Double OT”

On Friday, the rivalry will kick off the 122nd meeting. Oregon is bowl eligible and guaranteed one more game, while Oregon State will look for their third win this season. 

Kickoff is slated for 1pm on Fox Sports 1 with Chris Myers and Evan Moore on the call.  For Oregon, Jerry Allen, Mike Jorgensen, Joey McMurry and Terry Jonz will call the game; while Mike Parker, Jim Wilson and Ron Callan will be behind the microphone for Oregon State.

*I worked with Ron Callan for several years while at iHeart Media’s KPOJ and KEX, the OSU flagship stations.  Before that, I was at KXL and KXTG, the Oregon flagship station.