UCLA vs Oregon
It was my first game at the Rose Bowl, and it’s an interesting place. I like the way they used to build stadiums out here, as it has that 20s-30s vibe going on like the LA Memorial Coliseum, but it’s not nearly as big, which becomes obvious when you walk all the way around it. And we walked all 360 degrees.
They park you in the golf course when you go to a game here, which just seems horrible to me. Perhaps it’s because I used to live next to a golf course, and I couldn’t imagine using it as a parking lot six times a year. And by the time we got out it was destroyed, so I’m sure the grounds crew loves these events.
After walking through the golf course we arrived at the North gate, which is 180 degrees from the South gate, which is where the ticket office is. We didn’t have tickets, but my friend assured me the Rose Bowl always has General Admission tickets on game day. By the time we made it around, we found out that they didn’t. So I knew a guy who knew a guy and scored us two tickets for $20. Not bad considering the ticket office was selling the same tickets for $19 each, so we actually benefited by them being sold out.
Before walking all the way around to the North gate where GA seating is located, I decided we should try entering the South gate, just in case these tix were bogus. We made it in no problem and they scanned just fine, so we were golden. After another 180 degrees around the stadium we arrived at the GA section, and found empty benches just 5 or 6 rows up. Great seats, even though it’s still endzone. With endzone, for those of you who don’t know, there’s no real depth perception of the game so you can’t tell on short drives whether your team got the first down or not.
Within minutes the Ducks took the field for what would be a very slow first half. There were some raucous UCLA fans in front of us who felt the need to harass us about the heat, and about how our team hadn’t really scored, even though UCLA only had 3 points on the board. After getting nowhere with us, he focused on harassing everyone, regardless of team affiliation, that walked up the steps next to him. I guess he didn’t notice I was wearing a sweatshirt when he’d yell out his taunts about the heat, as I felt sort of cold considering it was only mid 70s when the game started.
Since it was so boring I started focusing my attention towards the cheerleading staff. I also started paying a great deal of attention towards the Duck who was trying his best to energize the fans. There were a few great plays but really nothing seemed to happen in the first half. That was about to change.
Throughout halftime I think the UCLA superfan in front of us got really bored as nobody he tried to rile up would answer his taunts. So that’s when we really saw him go all out and start harassing anyone with any message or team affiliation on their shirt with “What’s Bruin for [insert name on shirt]?” He harassed a Raiders fan, which is typically something I’d never advise as they normally roll around here as a gang. So if you see one, you know there are another 100 around that are ready to fight that you don’t see. But this guy was relentless. He’d occasionally turn back and yell out a “What’s Bruin for those Ducks?” to which nobody would respond.
Finally the second half starts off with a bang. The Ducks scored almost immediately with a 100 yard return for the first TD of the game. Almost as soon as he crossed into the endzone, I moved down two rows and whispered in superfan’s ear “that’s what’s Bruin.” His response to this was to throw his hands up and yell out “whatever!” Almost as soon as I sat down, the Ducks intercepted a pass by the Bruins and ran it in for another touchdown. It was about all that superfan could handle. He and his buddies were preparing at that point to leave.
The Oregon flag came out for the second time in minutes and the Duck was up to his usual crowd pleasing. I should have posted the photo I have of the flag bearer over on the UCLA side waving the Oregon flag in their faces. Their staff can be seen booing him. I’d expect that from the fans, but not from the staff. The photo above has been flipped so that Oregon reads correctly, as I snapped this shot as he was running back to the Ducks’ side. Look for the backwards L in the far endzone. 
The fourth quarter was quite interesting. I’m really surprised that UCLA was unable to tie up the game at that point, and on a few drives it looked like they would. But the Ducks held them to the 1 yard line (and even to one foot at one point) and kept them mostly scoreless. That was until a pass in the endzone was intercepted by one very lucky UCLA player which gave them an immediate TD. I’ve never seen anything like it, and this game was turning out to be a series of firsts for me. Absolutely beautiful play, that completely sucked for the Ducks, but I’m glad I was there to witness it.
I believe superfan and his friends had already taken off by that point. It’s actually pretty common out here to see ‘fans’ leaving so early in the game. Got to beat that LA traffic ya know. I’ve rarely seen Ducks fans leave a game before being told to. Usually they make their migration from the stadium around the time the announcer comes on and lets everyone know when the stadium and parking lot close. Especially after a win.
So by the time the game was over, and the Ducks had won, most of the UCLA side (which is about 90% of the stadium) had already left. Most didn’t even stay through the 4th. The Ducks won, and as is typical fashion the fans all hung out in the stands after the game. The players came over to thanks all the fans, and the Duck kept trying to inspire the crowd, as he claimed this land in the name of Oregon.
I also managed to get a pretty nice sunburn. Luckily I had a sweatshirt on the whole game, as my arms would be unbearable at this point. But it’s always good to see the Ducks win, and get out of LA for a few hours for it. So the sunburn will be well deserved for the next few days.
