BY TOM HENDERSON
Corvallis Gazette-Times | Posted: Sunday, November 30, 2008 12:00 am
Jim and Elizabeth Mathews of Albany had a bet going into Saturday's Civil War game between the Beavers and Ducks.
If his beloved Beavs won, she would have to wear orange and black when the family gathered for Christmas. And if her Ducks won, of course, the reverse would be true. It would be a green Christmas in the Mathews house.
The very prospect made him wince. "This body does not look good in green," he said.
As always, the Civil War split many households down the middle. The rivalry is intense between George and Donna Millak. But friendly. Attending the Civil War is a fall tradition for the Portland couple - he rooting for the Ducks and she for the Beavers.
"We walk arm-in-arm into the stadium, and everyone stares at us," George said.
The Millaks have stood by their respective teams for more than 40 years. George attended the University of Oregon (until his college education was interrupted by the Vietnam War) while Donna attended Oregon State University. This year, however, George sheepishly confessed he wouldn't mind seeing the Ducks lose so the Beavers could go to the Rose Bowl.
Losing would also give the Ducks the possibility of playing in the Las Vegas Bowl Dec. 20. "I'd really like to go to Las Vegas," George said.
Still, with the game just hours away Saturday, he was fairly certain the Ducks would stop the Beavers' Rose Bowl dreams. With Oregon State's star freshman running back Jacquizz Rodgers out of the game, he said, his wife was probably going to see her Beavers go down in flames.
"I think not having Rodgers might really make a difference," he said. "That's unfortunate. I wanted to see everyone at full strength."
Jim Mathews' extended family is not so gracious when it comes to the Beavers. He and his father-in-law are Beaver fans. Everyone else, he said, is a Duck. "During Thanksgiving, they were all talking smack about us," he said.
Jim and Elizabeth Mathews' rivalry is even reflected in their home decor. They have a floor mat that has both Beavers and Ducks on it with the words, "A house divided."
"I go inside and wipe my feet on the Duck side," said Jim.
Even those sentiments were polite compared with those expressed by Duck and Beaver fans drinking together during the pre-game tailgate parties in the Reser Stadium parking lot.
"This is the day Oregon fans rips Beaver fans' hearts out," said a Portland Duck fan who identified himself only as Chris S. (He had a few beers in him, he explained, so he would rather not give his full name.)
His equally lubricated friend Don H. tried to get a word in. "Don't listen to him," Chris interrupted. "He's only a Beaver fan because he's senile, and the candy striper at the hospital was wearing black and gold."
Chris never went to the University of Oregon but said he comes by his team loyalty honestly. "At some point in my life, I had to choose sides," he said. "I made the right choice."
Don was finally able to break in and pontificate on why the Beavers would inevitably emerge victorious. "They have the cajones," he said.
They may have what it takes to get past the Ducks, but what about a Rose Bowl victory?
"Yeah!" Don exclaimed. Then his voice suddenly dropped a few decibels. "Well … I don't know. Let's just hope they get a chance to go to Pasadena."