The Last Time Oregon Opened Against Georgia

[SuperDuck]

Oregon and Georgia have only played once in football before Saturday's game. That was back in 1977, with Georgia winning 27-16.

But there were a couple things that game had in common with the upcoming game this Saturday.

First of all, stating the obvious, the Ducks will be opening the season against the Bulldogs, as the 1977 game was also the season opener.

However, that game was also the first game for another Oregon coach, one who'd eventually change the course of Oregon sports history.

His name is Rich Brooks.

Honestly, I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up before. Maybe it's been too long ago for many fans to remember, but it was a great game and started a new era of Oregon football.

I remember listening to the game on the radio. I was only 14 at the time and had experienced a few years of dismal Oregon football, but this felt different. Coach Brooks had come in and was honest from the beginning. He didn't set lofty expectations out of the gate, simply that Oregon was going to gradually get better, be more exciting and play hard.

And Coach Brooks held true to his word. The Ducks very first play from scrimmage was a double reverse. I was so surprised, like a lot of other Oregon fans, but more excited than ever!

The Ducks played Georgia close all the way into late in the second half before Georgia's talent and depth finally made the difference in the game.

Still, the game was exciting! It was competitive. Rich Brooks coached with a "what have I got to lose" demeaner that was fun.

The Ducks still ended with a 2-9 record that year, and it would take time before Brooks finally got the Ducks to the Independence Bowl a few years later (a 27-24 win over Tulsa), but he stepped onto the sidelines and started making a difference from day one.

All that said, I hope the Ducks show up ready to play in Dan Lanning's first game, as well. A good and competitive game, win or lose, would exceed expectations at this point with Las Vegas having Oregon as 17.5 point underdogs.

I think the point I'm trying to make here is that another new era is about to begin in Oregon football and it all starts with a road game vs Georgia. If Dan Lanning's long term accomplishments at Oregon are anywhere close to what Rich Brooks accomplished during his tenure, I believe Oregon football has a bright future.

That said, I'll end this with a simple "Go Ducks!!!"

Oregon Football Schedule 1977

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/sc ... edule.html

[5$]

Great read SuperDuck, thanks for sharing!

[SuperDuck]

Great read SuperDuck, thanks for sharing!

Thank you!

[gogreen55]

Another good post. It is interesting to hear about these things that happened before my time.

[SuperDuck]

Thanks!

Rich Brooks is the reason Oregon football is where it's at today. The Ducks improved under him and obviously were more competitive, but Brooks told the Athletic Dept that there was only so far he could take them without more quality recruits, and the best way to do that was to start modernizing the facilities.

Of course, few listened - at first, but once the Ducks started winning more games, they liked that feeling so much that they had to start coming up with a plan. Once that was implemented and the process was in the the works, Brooks took the Ducks to their first Rose Bowl in umpteen years. Not long after, he took the job as the St. Louis Cardinal's head coach and Mike Belotti continued the push after Brooks left.

Belotti raised the program to another level before hiring an OC out of New Hampshire named Chip Kelly. We all know how that story went.

A lot of fans still think it was all Uncle Phil, which it was, from a financial standpoint, but Brooks is the man who put it all in motion.

And to think, it all began against the University of Georgia in 1977.

Can anyone say "deja vu?"

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Coach Rich Brooks!!!

Go Ducks!!!