Favorite football memories
There’s nothing quite like gearing up in yellow and in green, crossing the Willamette on the Autzen Footbridge, and joining the roaring crowd of Oregon Football fans. For thousands of alumni, cheering on the Ducks was a highlight of their college experience and continues to be a source of excitement and connection with fellow Oregon fans.
We asked UO alumni and friends to share their favorite football memories with us, both in Autzen Stadium and on the road. Let’s see which moments stood out to them the most.
Left to right: Mike Ford BS ’05 (geography), Dennis Ford, BS ’77 (elementary education) MEd (master of education in curriculum & instruction), Brian Ford, BS ’07 (geography)
Brian Ford, BS ’07 (geography)
“We grew up going to Ducks games in the ’80s, and we became instant Ducks fans despite wins and losses. As we grew up, the decision to go to Oregon was a no-brainer for us, so we followed in our father’s footsteps. After graduating in 2005 and 2007, [my brother and I] moved away for professional careers in Baltimore and Portland. The Rose Bowl game in 2015 was the first time all three of us were able to enjoy a game together in over a decade. The game was a memorable experience, but the time spent together was priceless!”
Fiesta bowl
Luis Manzo, BS ’16 (business administration)
“The opening kickoff of the 2013 Fiesta Bowl when De'Anthony Thomas took it to the house in true track star fashion! Oregon Football went on to win the game and finished the season a program best 12-1.”
Left to right: Mike McGowan, BS ’01 (sociology), Mike's son Ben, Brian Alfano, BS ’01 (economics)
Brian Alfano, BS ’01 (economics)
“Not an overall favorite, but I got to host my old roommate for his son’s first game [this season]!”
Left to right: Gina Hernandez and Cameron Lee, BS ’05 (sociology)
Gina Hernandez
“Driving from PDX to The Farm [in 2011] and watching Oregon snap Stanford’s 17-game win streak from the front row. Long time ago… but a trip I won’t forget. Go Ducks!”
Brandon Wilbur, BS ’15 (psychology)
“2019 vs. Huskies in Seattle. An absolute nail biter. We were seated in the endzone with lots of other Ducks fans. Spencer Webb had the first touchdown to open, defense had to hold on and came through, after the win Cristobal came and celebrated the win with the Ducks fans. A blast.”
Teresa Hoffman, BS ’82 (leisure studies & services)
“Florida State game on January 1, 2015 [at the Rose Bowl]. Best. Game. Ever.”
Eugene Register-Guard
Andrew Taylor, BA ’80 (journalism)
“October 10, 1970 versus UCLA in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Down 40-21 with four minutes to go in the game, the Ducks, led by Dan Fouts, Tom Blanchard, and Bobby Moore scored three touchdowns to win 41-40. We only had radio back then, so it was completely theater of the mind. An all-time comeback.”
Amanda Cardwell-Aiken, BA ’12 (theatre arts)
“My mom always gave me every opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and try something new even if she had to cajole me along the way. In 2012, during my last year of college, we flew south to the Rose Bowl with the Ducks and stuck around LA to try our hand at the Price is Right! My mom made every effort for us to be seen, and when the show started, I was the first person called to the stage! We won knives, pie for a year, and more, but sharing that memory with her will always be my favorite!”
-By April Miller, UO Alumni Association assistant communications director