Bald Faced Truth by John Canzano

Bald Faced Truth by John Canzano

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Bald Faced Truth by John Canzano
Bald Faced Truth by John Canzano
Canzano: 'Rally Baby' at Autzen Stadium... and other Sunday thoughts

Canzano: 'Rally Baby' at Autzen Stadium... and other Sunday thoughts

Ducks, Huskies, Cougars, Beavers... and Boise State.

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John Canzano
Dec 01, 2024
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Bald Faced Truth by John Canzano
Bald Faced Truth by John Canzano
Canzano: 'Rally Baby' at Autzen Stadium... and other Sunday thoughts
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The baby… was a hit at Autzen Stadium on Saturday. (Photo: Naji Saker)

Did you see the cute baby on Saturday night?

Fans inside Autzen Stadium during the Oregon-Washington game went home talking about the kid. The giant video screen camera operators had some fun alternately showing an adorable baby dressed in yellow (including gloves and ear-muffs) on the scoreboard video screen. Every time the baby popped up on the screen, it elicited a loud roar from the home crowd. Then, the camera would cut away to others sitting in the stadium… causing a boo.

The baby’s father would hold the child up like Simba from the birth scene in “The Lion King” — deafening cheer!!!

Then the camera cut away to UW fans — loud boo!

Cheer!!

Then, boo!!

Over and over.

The ‘Rally Baby’ was a fun, simple, impromptu game operations distraction that kept 59,000 fans engaged and smiling on a frigid night. It didn’t hurt that the Ducks were busy pile-driving Washington, 49-21, capping off a perfect regular season. It was highly entertaining, and the crowd couldn’t get enough.

What happens to the Ducks in the Big Ten title game? What are the next steps for Oregon State and coach Trent Bray? What about Washington State’s trajectory? And Washington’s dynamic QB? I checked in with Boise State’s athletic director in front of championship week, too.

A dozen (or more) Sunday thoughts…

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