Civil War 2000-2009 - A Growth In National Interest

Before the turn of the century, the Civil War in football barely ever drew any attention outside of the state of Oregon. Prior to 1999, the Beavers were in the midst of a losing season streak that had started 28 years beforehand. The Ducks were starting to gain some success, going to the Rose Bowl and the Cotton Bowl in the mid 90's, and enjoying winning seasons on a regular basis. 

It wasn't until 2000 when the Civil War gained some headlines around the country. Both Oregon State and Oregon were 9-1 and ranked in the top 10 in the nation. The Ducks were a win away from going to the Rose Bowl, while the Beavers were enjoying arguably their best season in school history, knocking on the doors of a potential BCS at-large bid and a share of the Pac-10 title. With the bouquet of roses on hand and legendary announcer Keith Jackson calling the game, the Ducks faltered behind five Joey Harrington interceptions, sending the Beavers to the Fiesta Bowl and the Ducks to the Holiday Bowl.

The following season brought high expectations for both teams, including a pre-season No. 1 ranking for the Beavers by Sports Illustrated. While it was a disappointing season for OSU, going 5-5 heading into the Civil War, the Ducks were enjoying another successful campaign, again going 9-1 into the Civil War and not only with Pac-10 title aspirations, but on the verge of crashing the BCS National Championship game. The Ducks prevailed in a rainy Autzen Stadium, giving the Beavers a losing season and heading off to the Fiesta Bowl (since the Rose Bowl that season was the host of the National Championship game). Although the Ducks were ranked No. 2 in the media polls, the BCS Rankings held them out of the top two spots, giving Nebraska (a team that did not even win its own conference) a spot in the title game. The Ducks crushed Colorado to end the year ranked No. 2.

In the following four seasons, the home team won each match up in fairly convincing fashion. In 2004 the Ducks were handed a losing season after dropping to the Beavers 50-21. The next season the Beavers were on the end other end of the spectrum, losing 56-14 to fall short of a winning season as well.

The stakes would rise in the coming years in a way which alums from both schools would not have imagined. In 2006, both teams entered the contest with 7 wins. The Beavers were able to get a sizable lead before halftime, but the Ducks would roar back, taking a one point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Beavers marched down the field and kicked a field goal with under two minutes to play to take a two point lead. Oregon got the ball back and was able to get in field goal range before time ran out, but missed a 44-yard field goal to hand OSU the victory.

2007 served to be one of the most riveting Civil Wars in recent memory. With the game tied at 28, Oregon had the ball in field goal range with time running out, but barely missed a field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime. Both teams exchanged field goals in the first overtime, but when OSU got the ball first in the second session, James Rodgers scored on a fly-sweep to put the Beavers up seven. The Ducks got stuffed on three downs and could not get on the board, falling in double overtime 38-31.

History would be made the next two Civil Wars, as both games had Rose Bowl implications. In 2008, Oregon State was one win away from going to its first Rose Bowl since the 60's. However, a rowdy Reser Stadium was quickly silenced, as the Oregon offense put up 65 points and ran the ball at will, knocking the Beavers out of a chance to go to Pasadena. Jeremiah Masoli and Jeremiah Johnson gave the Chip Kelly offense its coming out party and haven't slowed down since.

Last years game, the stakes were raised even higher, with a "War for the Roses" as the winner would be assured a spot in the Rose Bowl. In a tightly contested match up, Oregon State had a 30-21 lead midway through the 3rd quarter, but field goals instead of touchdowns doomed the Beavers as the Ducks put up a couple more scores, helped with the return of beleaguered  LaGarrett Blount. The Beavers had a chance down 37-33 to score, but failed to convert on third and fourth down in Oregon territory. The Ducks then ran off the remaining 5-plus minutes on the clock to book their ticket to Pasadena.

Once a mocked rivalry in the sporting world, including an infamous 0-0 tie dubbed "The Toilet Bowl," the Civil War has come full circle, a tribute to both programs' success and high level of competition. And it doesn't look like either programs are going away any time soon.