'I better not be on a mission for the Civil War game'

IN IRAQ INSTEAD OF AUTZEN STADIUM -- A Mine Resistant Ambush Proof vehicle rolls across the gravel with green and yellow dice hanging inside near the driver’s head, a small rubber Oregon Duck strapped to the front of the vehicle.

“I better not be on a mission for the Civil War game,” says convoy commander Staff Sgt. John Dunaway, 32, of Eugene, Ore., as he prepares for an upcoming mission in the  MRAP.

As soldiers in Dunaway’s unit Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion of the 218th, Field Artillery of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team gather around the armored vehicles, there are several indications that these soldiers are college football fans.

The company truck has black and orange dice hanging from the rear view window.

Commanding officer Cpt. Eric Brenner, 30, of Milwaukie, Ore., and Pvt. Matthew Hoffman, 31, of Lake Oswego, Ore., are even making the Civil War game a little bit more interesting.

“If the Ducks win, I have to dress up in Duck gear and cheer for the Ducks at their Bowl game,” says Brenner. “And vice versa if the Beavers win.”

As the fight for the Rose Bowl draws near, Beaver and Duck fans in Iraq predict the future for their teams.

Soldiers gather in Spc. Kyle Nelsen's room to watch the Duck's game on Halloween. In this picture from left to right are Lt. Daniel Cotton, Staff Sgt. James Jones, Spc. Kyle Nelsen and the other unidentified soldiers.

“Beaver Fan” Gunner Spc. Kyle Nelsen, 24, of Beaverton, Ore.
vs.
“Duck Fan” Executive officer 1st Lt. Daniel Cotton, 26, of Beaverton, Ore.
Delta Co., 2nd Battalion of the 162nd Infantry of the 41st IBCT stationed in Al Asad, Iraq.

What are your predictions for the Civil War 2009?

Nelsen: I think the Beavers could do very well; it’s pretty much anyone’s game. The Civil War game is always different every year. You never know who’s gonna win. The Beavers could lose every single game this year and still beat the Ducks and vice versa.

Which players are you counting on for strong plays?

Nelsen: Obviously the Rodgers brothers are always being watched … and Sean Canfield is doing really well, passing the ball really well. Everybody is doing really well.

What are your predictions for the Civil War 2009?

Cotton: I have no feelings on it, I know for a fact the Ducks are gonna win. A lot of the lesser fans tend to be on the Beavers side are like, oh, well it's anyone’s game, anybody could win. They try to be all fair, but it’s because they know they’re gonna lose so they’re trying to be positive and friendly. They (the Ducks) have a defense that stopped USC cold, cold. T.J. Ward is back and he is just kicking butt in the secondary.

Do the Ducks have an advantage by playing on their turf?

Cotton: It’s the loudest stadium in the nation. I’ve been there when it has been insane, when you can’t hear. You can’t play in that environment it’s too hostile. The Ducks will win without question.

“Beaver Fan” Communications expert Sgt. Andrew Buck, 26, of Portland, Ore.
vs.
“Duck Fan” Administration NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) Spc. Jason Breaux, 21, of Springfield, Ore.
Delta Co., 2nd Battalion of the 162nd Infantry of the 41st IBCT stationed in Al Asad, Iraq.

What are your predictions for the Civil War 2009?

Breaux: I can go either way, depends on who shows up to play. I think Oregon’s more talented. I think running backs on both sides, either LaMichael James or Jaquizz Rodgers, I think the running game is gonna be really important for clock management, both teams kind of play fast paced. The running game has been outstanding, but look at the Stanford loss, it really came down to the running game.

Do the Ducks have an advantage by playing on their turf?

Breaux: I was at the USC game this year on leave. I’ve been to my fair share of Duck games, it’s [Autzen] not an easy environment to come into and walk away with a win. It’s loud and when you’re playing a sport, definitely the fact that everyone there wants you to win, it makes a difference.

What are your predictions for the Civil War 2009?

Buck: Beavers-42, Ducks-14. Beavers go to the Rose Bowl, that’s what’s gonna happen. Rogers is gonna run for 200 yards and score four touchdowns and make Oregon’s defense look really bad, like they’re a junior high school. I’m very confident ‘cause we were supposed to go last year and Oregon kind of derailed us from that. So payback hurts, yeah so Oregon State’s gonna go ahead and go to Rose Bowl this year. Sorry Oregon. They did beat Stanford, which the Ducks could not, its weird… crazy.

“Beaver Fan” Commanding officer Cpt. Eric Brenner, 30, of Milwaukie, Ore.
vs.
“Duck Fans” Convoy commander Staff Sgt. John Dunaway, 32, of Eugene, Ore.
and Assistant convoy commander Sgt. Travis Golden, 35, of Salem, Ore.
Alpha Battery, 2nd  Battalion of the 218th, Field Artillery of the 41st IBCT stationed in Al Asad, Iraq.
*For the sake of the interview these soldier trade in their camo for their Duck and Beaver gear.

What are your predictions for the Civil War 2009?

Dunaway: Well, we’re definitely gonna win. The history shows that Civil War winners usually playing at home are gonna win. We have LaGarrette Blount back. He’s gonna run for at least 120, 130 yards. Masoli probably another couple yards running, 150 yards passing, 500 or 600 offense on the Beavers. We’re ranked higher than them, we’ve beat better teams than them.

Do the Ducks have an advantage by playing on their turf?

Golden: This year, the Beavers just got really unlucky having to play at Autzen. They’re coming in there, we’ve dominated at home.  We gelled a lot as a team this year. It started out rough and then we learned from everything, so they’re [OSU] gonna have a big problem playing us at home.

What are your predictions for the Civil War 2009?

Brenner: I’m excited about it. The Quiz show’s back in town this year. They [OSU] were a little injured last year. We’re gonna run 250 yards on them [the Ducks]. Canfield’s a senior; you know how Riley’s seniors do?
Ya’ll are going down. Canfield’s gonna throw for another 250 yards, 500 yards offense and we’re gonna shut down your running game just like we did against Cal. Watch out, watch out Blount.

How will the Beavers next game affect the Civil War?

Brenner: The next game is Washington State. I think Oregon State just needs to keep their head on their shoulders and [Oregon] don’t overlook Washington State in anticipation for their next game.

Do the Ducks have an advantage by playing on their turf?

Brenner: We beat them there two years ago, so we can do it again and it was with a less experienced team too. I think we’re gonna come in take care of business and our defense is gonna shut down Blount, Masoli and all those other yahoos. We’re gonna take names and were gonna beat them.

Cali Bagby embedded with the Oregon Army National Guard from the 41st Infantry for KVAL.com. Her work has been published in the Washington Post and the Eugene Weekly.
More stories | Visit her Web site