USC wasn't Oregon State's biggest upset in 1967. Purdue was 4-0 and ranked #1 after wins over Texas A&M, #1 Notre Dame, Northwestern and 41-6 over Ohio State in Columbus. But the Boilers simply couldn't stop the Beavers' fullback "Earthquake" Enyart and lost 14-22. I was a sophomore in the stands at Purdue's Ross-Ade stadium that day and it remains the most disappointing game that I've watched Purdue play in over half a century.
Sep 21, 2022·edited Sep 21, 2022Liked by John Canzano
Great memories of the 1967 USC game. I was there as a 10 year old with my grade school class. But as any 10 year old, I did not focus too much on the game but had a great time climbing around in the old temporary (scaffolding) bleachers in the north end zone. The ROTC cannon, which was another exciting thing for a 10 year old at OSU football games, did not go off that day, unless it was for the single field goal. It was only years later that I could appreciate being present at maybe the greatest game in Beaver history. A total accident! I will be there on Saturday night to enjoy this final game in a long series. Beavs WIN!!
O.J stands for Overly Jealous. Maybe someday he will get his. Poor Nicole and Goldman. Oj is gross on TikTok but people roast him in the comments which are fun to read.
That 2006 OSU-USC game doesn't get as much love as 2008, probably because SC was only #3 that year, but it has to be among the Reser classics. Still can see Alexis Serna hitting a 53-yard FG (plus three others), Sammie Stroughter's punt return TD and Jeff Van Orsow's batted pass on USC's 2-point attempt at the very end that would have tied the game.
The two teams were never true rivals. The series is way too one-sided, even with the results being more even in recent years. But when USC came to town it always felt like a big deal. No one the conference could expand with will ever replace that.
Really enjoy your writing and info on the Pac-12. You linked to one of my blog posts a few weeks ago about the metro areas that have the highest proportion of alums for each Big Ten school, so I really appreciate it!
I follow realignment closely on national level beyond just the Big Ten. With respect to the Pac-12 compared to the Big 12, I think that you’re spot-on: I can’t see how the Pac-12(10?) as-is would actually be worth less than the Big 12. The reason why the Big 12 has the stability argument is largely backhanded in the sense that neither the Big Ten nor SEC finds any of their brands attractive, whereas there are several Pac-12 schools that the Big Ten could conceivably want. It would stand to reason that the league with more schools that the Big Ten would actually find valuable would be worth more.
However, I have one quibble with Wilner and you regarding the coverage of the UC Board of Regents. Even if the UC BOR were to take the extremely unlikely step of blocking UCLA’s move to the Big Ten, why on Earth should anyone in the Pac-12 feel safe that the Big Ten will just stay at 15 with just adding USC? Speaking from Big Ten country, my feeling is that the Big Ten’s reaction to a UC BOR blocking wouldn’t allow for a “Pac-11” to get off the ground. Instead, the Big Ten would at a minimum add Stanford (if it just wants a 16th school with USC) or go with a full blown annex of adding Stanford, Cal, Washington and Oregon on top of USC and UCLA.
A UC BOR blocking of UCLA’s move would be a Pyrrhic victory for the Pac-12 because the reaction of the Big Ten would likely be to reengage with more West Coast expansion again as opposed to standing down as they seem to be doing as of now. To be sure, that might even be the goal of the UC BOR: this isn’t about blocking UCLA from the Big Ten, but rather trying to find a way to get Cal *into* the Big Ten.
In any event, I don’t see a “Pac-11”ever having a chance. Either the current 10 schools in the Pac-12 move on as-is or the Big Ten will be spurred to go ahead and rip apart the Pac-12 entirely (in which case the Big 12 can add the Four Corners schools only at that point). The one thing that we can be certain of is that the Big Ten isn’t standing pat as a 15-school league with just USC sitting out West. We can be sure of that here.
Once again, I enjoy your writings greatly and, speaking as a Big Ten alum, I take no pleasure in seeing the Pac-12 go through this turmoil.
At a family gathering the young adults were talking about murders and trials and imprisonment and the name OJ Simpson came up. I interjected that I had seen him play football--when Oregon State beat USC. The looks on their faces were priceless as they asked 'OJ Simpson played football??' Yes he did, and he was good!
Always love the stories behind the wins... had something similar to the Parker middle finger salute reception in a prep football playoff game. Fun stuff.
I thought Amazon’s NFL broadcast was well done, for what my opinion is worth. College ball would work fine there. Not sure Apple is ready to offer games on their platform.
The last time Oregon State was a player in football nationally was in the mid-60s when Tommy Prothro and then Dee Andrus were the coaches. Prothro took Oregon State to the Rose Bowl after the 1964 season and then moved on to UCLA and Andrus built on that. I grew up in Palo Alto and was a Stanford fan. The Stanford program was finally getting on its feet after years and years in the dumps in 1968 and there was some excitement building with Jim Plunkett. Oregon State came in and administered a 29-7 pounding which was very demoralizing. Only bad loss of the season. Oregon State lost three games that year by a total of five points. I noticed that Rich Brooks was the defensive line coach. The next two years Stanford beat them 33-0 and 48-10 and that was the end.
Steve Preece was drafted by the Rams as a kick holder (has anyone else been drafted as a KH?). He was such a good athlete, he became a starting safety for some very good teams with great defenses.
I didn't get to attend too many games growing up, but in 1977 my dad (R.I.P.) took us to see the Beavers play the Orangemen. The Beavers won. We saw a LOT of orange that day, but no O.J.
Then a few games later they played BYU on high school band day. BYU was rated 14th in the country. The Beavers stunned them.
My very small school band took third place among all the bands wearing our black, all wool, uniforms from the 1950s! We were stunned. Ha!
The Beavers only won 2 games all year.
My hope is that streaming will keep live game prices in check so my kids and grandkids can afford to build some memories like my dad did for me.
I've been to three of the seven victories over USC at Corvallis. But the play that stands out the most is the 1967 Giant Killer game when my fraternity brother, Jess Lewis, tackled OJ from behind to save the 3 to 0 victory.
I have Pittsburgh tonight and the game just started. I have amazon prime, and there are 13 more Thursday night games. It cost 14.99 per 30 days.I used my calculator and fact checked myself; each game will cost me 4 dollars, and last game is on Dec.29, please fact check me. So, Jeff Bezos got me again. Amazon cancelled my order for prescription cat food because they claimed they could not reach either of my two vets. Baloney; they do not care about me and I am a long time customer, and have bought this same food from them many times. Sure glad I am a very strong Christian, as I did not let them upset me. I called my vet who is located five minutes away, , and asked if they could help me with this food. They have to order it, and sometimes it may take a few days. Amazon wanted $100 for the order they cancelled. My vet said same food would be $50. I buy a lot of stuff on Amazon, because of speed of delivery (without prime) and variety of goods. So, Jeff Bezos made some of his billions by jacking up the price on some items. Wonder why his last rocket ship was a failure and only cost him millions in jet fuel, and other expenses.? His ex-wife only got 1.2 BILLION as her part of divorce. He is a moron like starbucks owner, the pillow guy (trumpster) Dr. Oz, and Herschel Walker( both dumber than a box of rocks and of course republicans) I will make my college picks tomorrow for Saturday. Two weeks ago I said I loved USC in Reser. I went to Sheridan, Or casino earlier this week so I could lock in USC at -6.5 before any line changes. I have half my fortune bet on the Trojans, Only fools are positive, and I have lost many times on my "locks" but I feel very strongly and Beavers losing by at least 7. A huge- overflow throng of only 25,000 will pack Reser. Home field means nothing in this game. I watch a lot of football, both college and pro. I love the game, and I wager on games at Spirit Mt, Casino in Sheridan, Or. You must bet in person, in cash. On the season, before tonight, I am 9-3 ats. I make a photo copy of each winning game before I cash it in. I turn in the winning tickets to my accountant each year. I pay taxes on my winnings. I detest Trump and only vote for democrats for President. I have had five covid pfizer shots, I have a new valid USA passport (best piece of photo Id in world) I am voting against racist JoAnn Hardesy for Portland, Or. city council. I run a travel agency from home and can get real cheap deals on airlines, hotels, and rental cars. I give specials to Hilhi (Hillsboro, Or) people, and also Beavers and Ducks. I am a native Oregonian, and a life-long Duck. I will root for the Beavers in most games, unless of course they are playing the Ducks. I think Ducks vs. WSU in Pullman on Saturday will be good and close. I cannot wait for the Trojans and Beavs at 6:30 pm. If I win I am sure these new air pegasus model 39 Nike shoes in Duck colors are the reason. They were all green, and I changed the laces color from green to yellow from a former model. Duck colors are lemon yellow and green. Love Nike, and all they have done for so many. I loved " Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight. Love all the uniform combos, but black is not a school color. I have a black cat, my car is shiny black with dark tinted windows, and I love black anything on a pretty lady. I wear black a lot. Silver is not a school color either, and I see it on helmets as wings. Maybe it is because I have been a huge Duck for only 60 years, but I miss uniforms in lemon and green only. We have a new young football coach who will be just fine. I cannot wait for UCLA and the Huskies to come to Eugene this fall! UCLA and USC were smart to get out of the Pac-12. More on my take of the new Pac-12 commisch tomorrow; guy makes Larry Miller look like a saint by his latest comments about UCLA . According to what I read in Mr. Conzano's column yesterday , this moron is trying to see how many people will believe him, as he tries to save face as . He says UCLA will lose by joining the Big 10 in football in two years. I had to re-read his comments more than once, as I was beyond shocked. If UCLA loses by getting around $75 million dollarrs per year from the Big 10, please tell me how. The Pac-12 has no tv deal, and I do not think ESPN will bail them out. They are already at least five years behind the SEC and Big-10 in football. Is called huge money, and ESPN rules college football. I thought Larry Miller was an arrogant poor hire by the Pac-12 years ago, and he proved it. Good riddance Larry, but now this new guy made some public comments about the Bruins thay I am not buying at all. When UCLA and USC both get $75 million per year in fall of 2024, and the Pac-10 is sinking fast with maybe around $30 million each, get out your calculator and fact check me. If UCLA is a loser buy going to join a big boys' conference. amd making millions more guaranteed, then maybe the name on my passport and birth certificate are not really me. I can join Mike Leach ii the alien universe, which I know is real. He bailed out of WSU, and said why. GO Ducks!
Oh, how well I remember the 3-0 Mud Bowl in 1967! Thanks to the SID, Johnny Eggers, that season he gave me the job of the inside-the-press-box PA, for my first alma mater. That was such a great win for the Beavers, and for me it was the stepping stone that November as the PA guy for the Ducks. Don't tell anyone, John, but it's fun being an alum of both Oregon universities - you get to celebrate a lot more big wins, like the Ducks over BYU. However, I do get a bit of ribbing from my old Beaver buds. Go Ducks!
USC wasn't Oregon State's biggest upset in 1967. Purdue was 4-0 and ranked #1 after wins over Texas A&M, #1 Notre Dame, Northwestern and 41-6 over Ohio State in Columbus. But the Boilers simply couldn't stop the Beavers' fullback "Earthquake" Enyart and lost 14-22. I was a sophomore in the stands at Purdue's Ross-Ade stadium that day and it remains the most disappointing game that I've watched Purdue play in over half a century.
I'd like to know how the UCLA players feel about moving to the B1G... Is travel time a
worry for them or playing in really cold weather?
Beavs win 31-28 Ducks win 31-28
Thanks John..great stories. I like those the best. I’m getting the rosary beads out for Saturday’s game plus the cold beer and popcorn of course.
Keep doing what you’re best at….entertaining us.
Great memories of the 1967 USC game. I was there as a 10 year old with my grade school class. But as any 10 year old, I did not focus too much on the game but had a great time climbing around in the old temporary (scaffolding) bleachers in the north end zone. The ROTC cannon, which was another exciting thing for a 10 year old at OSU football games, did not go off that day, unless it was for the single field goal. It was only years later that I could appreciate being present at maybe the greatest game in Beaver history. A total accident! I will be there on Saturday night to enjoy this final game in a long series. Beavs WIN!!
O.J stands for Overly Jealous. Maybe someday he will get his. Poor Nicole and Goldman. Oj is gross on TikTok but people roast him in the comments which are fun to read.
That 2006 OSU-USC game doesn't get as much love as 2008, probably because SC was only #3 that year, but it has to be among the Reser classics. Still can see Alexis Serna hitting a 53-yard FG (plus three others), Sammie Stroughter's punt return TD and Jeff Van Orsow's batted pass on USC's 2-point attempt at the very end that would have tied the game.
The two teams were never true rivals. The series is way too one-sided, even with the results being more even in recent years. But when USC came to town it always felt like a big deal. No one the conference could expand with will ever replace that.
Really enjoy your writing and info on the Pac-12. You linked to one of my blog posts a few weeks ago about the metro areas that have the highest proportion of alums for each Big Ten school, so I really appreciate it!
I follow realignment closely on national level beyond just the Big Ten. With respect to the Pac-12 compared to the Big 12, I think that you’re spot-on: I can’t see how the Pac-12(10?) as-is would actually be worth less than the Big 12. The reason why the Big 12 has the stability argument is largely backhanded in the sense that neither the Big Ten nor SEC finds any of their brands attractive, whereas there are several Pac-12 schools that the Big Ten could conceivably want. It would stand to reason that the league with more schools that the Big Ten would actually find valuable would be worth more.
However, I have one quibble with Wilner and you regarding the coverage of the UC Board of Regents. Even if the UC BOR were to take the extremely unlikely step of blocking UCLA’s move to the Big Ten, why on Earth should anyone in the Pac-12 feel safe that the Big Ten will just stay at 15 with just adding USC? Speaking from Big Ten country, my feeling is that the Big Ten’s reaction to a UC BOR blocking wouldn’t allow for a “Pac-11” to get off the ground. Instead, the Big Ten would at a minimum add Stanford (if it just wants a 16th school with USC) or go with a full blown annex of adding Stanford, Cal, Washington and Oregon on top of USC and UCLA.
A UC BOR blocking of UCLA’s move would be a Pyrrhic victory for the Pac-12 because the reaction of the Big Ten would likely be to reengage with more West Coast expansion again as opposed to standing down as they seem to be doing as of now. To be sure, that might even be the goal of the UC BOR: this isn’t about blocking UCLA from the Big Ten, but rather trying to find a way to get Cal *into* the Big Ten.
In any event, I don’t see a “Pac-11”ever having a chance. Either the current 10 schools in the Pac-12 move on as-is or the Big Ten will be spurred to go ahead and rip apart the Pac-12 entirely (in which case the Big 12 can add the Four Corners schools only at that point). The one thing that we can be certain of is that the Big Ten isn’t standing pat as a 15-school league with just USC sitting out West. We can be sure of that here.
Once again, I enjoy your writings greatly and, speaking as a Big Ten alum, I take no pleasure in seeing the Pac-12 go through this turmoil.
At a family gathering the young adults were talking about murders and trials and imprisonment and the name OJ Simpson came up. I interjected that I had seen him play football--when Oregon State beat USC. The looks on their faces were priceless as they asked 'OJ Simpson played football??' Yes he did, and he was good!
Always love the stories behind the wins... had something similar to the Parker middle finger salute reception in a prep football playoff game. Fun stuff.
I thought Amazon’s NFL broadcast was well done, for what my opinion is worth. College ball would work fine there. Not sure Apple is ready to offer games on their platform.
The last time Oregon State was a player in football nationally was in the mid-60s when Tommy Prothro and then Dee Andrus were the coaches. Prothro took Oregon State to the Rose Bowl after the 1964 season and then moved on to UCLA and Andrus built on that. I grew up in Palo Alto and was a Stanford fan. The Stanford program was finally getting on its feet after years and years in the dumps in 1968 and there was some excitement building with Jim Plunkett. Oregon State came in and administered a 29-7 pounding which was very demoralizing. Only bad loss of the season. Oregon State lost three games that year by a total of five points. I noticed that Rich Brooks was the defensive line coach. The next two years Stanford beat them 33-0 and 48-10 and that was the end.
Steve Preece was drafted by the Rams as a kick holder (has anyone else been drafted as a KH?). He was such a good athlete, he became a starting safety for some very good teams with great defenses.
I didn't get to attend too many games growing up, but in 1977 my dad (R.I.P.) took us to see the Beavers play the Orangemen. The Beavers won. We saw a LOT of orange that day, but no O.J.
Then a few games later they played BYU on high school band day. BYU was rated 14th in the country. The Beavers stunned them.
My very small school band took third place among all the bands wearing our black, all wool, uniforms from the 1950s! We were stunned. Ha!
The Beavers only won 2 games all year.
My hope is that streaming will keep live game prices in check so my kids and grandkids can afford to build some memories like my dad did for me.
I've been to three of the seven victories over USC at Corvallis. But the play that stands out the most is the 1967 Giant Killer game when my fraternity brother, Jess Lewis, tackled OJ from behind to save the 3 to 0 victory.
I have Pittsburgh tonight and the game just started. I have amazon prime, and there are 13 more Thursday night games. It cost 14.99 per 30 days.I used my calculator and fact checked myself; each game will cost me 4 dollars, and last game is on Dec.29, please fact check me. So, Jeff Bezos got me again. Amazon cancelled my order for prescription cat food because they claimed they could not reach either of my two vets. Baloney; they do not care about me and I am a long time customer, and have bought this same food from them many times. Sure glad I am a very strong Christian, as I did not let them upset me. I called my vet who is located five minutes away, , and asked if they could help me with this food. They have to order it, and sometimes it may take a few days. Amazon wanted $100 for the order they cancelled. My vet said same food would be $50. I buy a lot of stuff on Amazon, because of speed of delivery (without prime) and variety of goods. So, Jeff Bezos made some of his billions by jacking up the price on some items. Wonder why his last rocket ship was a failure and only cost him millions in jet fuel, and other expenses.? His ex-wife only got 1.2 BILLION as her part of divorce. He is a moron like starbucks owner, the pillow guy (trumpster) Dr. Oz, and Herschel Walker( both dumber than a box of rocks and of course republicans) I will make my college picks tomorrow for Saturday. Two weeks ago I said I loved USC in Reser. I went to Sheridan, Or casino earlier this week so I could lock in USC at -6.5 before any line changes. I have half my fortune bet on the Trojans, Only fools are positive, and I have lost many times on my "locks" but I feel very strongly and Beavers losing by at least 7. A huge- overflow throng of only 25,000 will pack Reser. Home field means nothing in this game. I watch a lot of football, both college and pro. I love the game, and I wager on games at Spirit Mt, Casino in Sheridan, Or. You must bet in person, in cash. On the season, before tonight, I am 9-3 ats. I make a photo copy of each winning game before I cash it in. I turn in the winning tickets to my accountant each year. I pay taxes on my winnings. I detest Trump and only vote for democrats for President. I have had five covid pfizer shots, I have a new valid USA passport (best piece of photo Id in world) I am voting against racist JoAnn Hardesy for Portland, Or. city council. I run a travel agency from home and can get real cheap deals on airlines, hotels, and rental cars. I give specials to Hilhi (Hillsboro, Or) people, and also Beavers and Ducks. I am a native Oregonian, and a life-long Duck. I will root for the Beavers in most games, unless of course they are playing the Ducks. I think Ducks vs. WSU in Pullman on Saturday will be good and close. I cannot wait for the Trojans and Beavs at 6:30 pm. If I win I am sure these new air pegasus model 39 Nike shoes in Duck colors are the reason. They were all green, and I changed the laces color from green to yellow from a former model. Duck colors are lemon yellow and green. Love Nike, and all they have done for so many. I loved " Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight. Love all the uniform combos, but black is not a school color. I have a black cat, my car is shiny black with dark tinted windows, and I love black anything on a pretty lady. I wear black a lot. Silver is not a school color either, and I see it on helmets as wings. Maybe it is because I have been a huge Duck for only 60 years, but I miss uniforms in lemon and green only. We have a new young football coach who will be just fine. I cannot wait for UCLA and the Huskies to come to Eugene this fall! UCLA and USC were smart to get out of the Pac-12. More on my take of the new Pac-12 commisch tomorrow; guy makes Larry Miller look like a saint by his latest comments about UCLA . According to what I read in Mr. Conzano's column yesterday , this moron is trying to see how many people will believe him, as he tries to save face as . He says UCLA will lose by joining the Big 10 in football in two years. I had to re-read his comments more than once, as I was beyond shocked. If UCLA loses by getting around $75 million dollarrs per year from the Big 10, please tell me how. The Pac-12 has no tv deal, and I do not think ESPN will bail them out. They are already at least five years behind the SEC and Big-10 in football. Is called huge money, and ESPN rules college football. I thought Larry Miller was an arrogant poor hire by the Pac-12 years ago, and he proved it. Good riddance Larry, but now this new guy made some public comments about the Bruins thay I am not buying at all. When UCLA and USC both get $75 million per year in fall of 2024, and the Pac-10 is sinking fast with maybe around $30 million each, get out your calculator and fact check me. If UCLA is a loser buy going to join a big boys' conference. amd making millions more guaranteed, then maybe the name on my passport and birth certificate are not really me. I can join Mike Leach ii the alien universe, which I know is real. He bailed out of WSU, and said why. GO Ducks!
Great stuff, JC, from memories to media rights.
Oh, how well I remember the 3-0 Mud Bowl in 1967! Thanks to the SID, Johnny Eggers, that season he gave me the job of the inside-the-press-box PA, for my first alma mater. That was such a great win for the Beavers, and for me it was the stepping stone that November as the PA guy for the Ducks. Don't tell anyone, John, but it's fun being an alum of both Oregon universities - you get to celebrate a lot more big wins, like the Ducks over BYU. However, I do get a bit of ribbing from my old Beaver buds. Go Ducks!