Autzen Impressions

Made my first trip to Autzen Stadium yesterday to see the Bruins take on the Ducks. Not a big surprise, but the game was a bit ugly from this guy's perspective, as the Bruins went down hard, 30-20 in a game that wasn't really very close.

Notes from my first trip.

Beauty of a day. Clear skies, mid-60s, no rain. I'm guessing I won't be so lucky on my next trip.

The rumors are true. That place is fucking loud.

The football team's practice facility is adjacent to the stadium, inside the stadium gates, and set up with beer and food stalls during the game. Despite the crowd, it was relatively easy to get there, throw back a beer, and get back without missing any action. If every college football facility had that setup, I'd be at games constantly.

Best ad in the stadium: Better Head for Jerry's. I considered changing my name to Jerry for much of the first quarter before I realized it was some type of home improvement store.

From what I can tell, there are more Californians on the Ducks' roster than on the Bruins'. Dorrell is getting crushed in the recruiting department.

It's stunning to see the amazing array of horrendous looks people can throw together with green and yellow. Somehow, however, almost every Duck fan commented on the Bruins' powder blue upon learning my rooting interest, seemingly obvlivious to their own color issues.

The guy sitting next to me apparently paid his admission in teeth, and there wasn't any change.

A guy sitting near me was wearing a shirt with the word Thunderduck across the chest. I'm guessing he was also driving a Hummer. His wife still seemed unconvinced.

The hick quotient at a Ducks' game is off the charts. I haven't seen that many self-made tank tops, frosted hair-dos and oversized trucks since my last drive thru Fresno.