Arriving at Autzen on the morning of Halloween, a thick fog hung in the air. Almost eerie. Equally comforting.
I hadn’t been to Eugene for a game in over two seasons, and it felt great to be back in a booth I’ve called home more than 40 times in my career.
It started out all Northwestern. Chip Kelly’s offense looked like the 2007 Ducks. Funky formations, creative plays and masterful execution.
If you were watching, I’d imagine you were equally amazed and frustrated as Dan Lanning’s Ducks found themselves in a hole.
Before the game, Coach Lanning shared a line with our NBC production crew: “We won’t play small ball, we won’t play scared, we are going to let it rip.”
On the other side, David Braun said his ranked Wildcats were “built for this.” The game, the stage, the spectacle that Autzen Stadium can be.
Before the final quarter began, “Shout” came over the loudspeaker and the stadium rocked. Moments later, the Ducks took the lead, climbed out of that hole and sent the costumed crowd into a frenzy.