Posted on 26 October 2013.
The No. 3 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 12 UCLA Bruins in a cloudy afternoon game today at Autzen. ESPN’s College GameDay was held on campus at the Memorial Quad. It is the fifth straight year that the University has hosted a GameDay and the first of two straight GameDays for the Ducks, as ESPN will broadcast at Oregon’s next game at Stanford on Thursday, Nov. 7. GameDay anchor Lee Corso ended up choosing the Ducks over the UCLA Bruins in what has become a ritual for the diehard Oregon fan and he followed his tradition of sporting the Duck head by climbing aboard the Oregon motorcycle and riding through a mini-parade with The Duck piloting the Harley-Davidson.
Oregon alum and prominent donor Phil Knight strolled across the sidelines an hour before kickoff. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Ducks make their way onto the field from the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in their predominantly green uniforms. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon freshman quarterback Taylor Alie (12) warms up before kickoff. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon freshman quarterback Jeff Lockie (17) and Oregon senior offensive lineman Mana Greig (63) share a moment before pre-game warmups.The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon junior running back De’Anthony Thomas (6) returns to the field after a hiatus caused by an ankle injury sustained during the Oregon/Cal game on Sept. 28, 2013. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Josh Huff (1) warms up before the Oregon/UCLA match-up. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon fans walk across Autzen’s foot bridge en route to the Oregon/UCLA match-up. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon fans walk across Autzen’s foot bridge en route to the Oregon/UCLA match-up. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before kickoff. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
A trio of University students debut their new display of spirit with “Ifo Island” at the very front of the Oregon student section. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Doug Koke makes his way through the Autzen tunnel on the Oregon motorcycle, sporting a new, flat-black paint job. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon senior offensive lineman Mana Greig (63) adjusts his helmet during pre-game warmups. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon freshman linebacker Torrodney Prevot (86) greets a pair of young Duck fans during pre-game warmups. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
UCLA freshman running back Paul Perkins (24) dances to the hip-hop beats booming through the bowl in Autzen Stadium during pre-game warmups. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon football players reveal new uniforms while walking out of the Hatfield-Dowlin Center. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon junior running back De’Anthony Thomas (6) runs down the field to warm up before the start of the game. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Josh Huff (1) looks toward the crowd as someone calls his name prior to the start of the game. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Josh Huff (1) and Oregon sophomore offensive lineman Tyler Johnstone (64) converse as they walk down the field together. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Two hours prior to the start of the game, the student section begins to fill at Autzen Stadium. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
After sharing a motorcycle ride together, ESPN anchor Lee Corso, left, and The Duck cheer on their way back to the GameDay set. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Duck makes his way across the GameDay set in the early morning darkness at 5:30 a.m. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Eugene residents Scott and Denise Smith wear their Bounty Hunter Halloween costumes for the on-campus broadcast of ESPN’s College GameDay. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Fans pack the Memorial Quad across from the Lillis Business Complex for ESPN’s College GameDay at the University of Oregon. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)
GameDay at Oregon would not be complete without a crowd surfing Duck. The Duck spent some time being passed overhead the hundreds of fans assembled for the ESPN broadcast. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
An Oregon fan screams in anticipation as the ESPN SkyCam flies overhead at 5 a.m., one hour before broadcast. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Freshman Matthew St. Clair, top far right, clutches a giant homemade “O” as he and his friends scream at the overhead ESPN SkyCam. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN stage manager Mike Paecheo checks his show rundown list at 5 a.m. one hour before the GameDay broadcast kicks off. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Former Oregon track star and Olympic champion Ashton Eaton flashes the “O” with his Nike gloves as he displays his decathlon gold medal from the 2012 London Summer Olympics. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
“The Duck Nut” inspects his game day outfit at 5 a.m. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Doug Koke waits in the early morning darkness before riding the “Oregon motorcycle” up the Memorial Quad and onto the ESPN GameDay grounds. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN Reporter Samantha Ponder speaks in the early hours of ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast at the University of Oregon. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)
After donning a replica Duck head, ESPN anchor Lee Corso (at right) takes a ride on the Oregon motorcycle with The Duck, past hundreds of cheering fans, cheerleaders and ending in a swarm of Oregon Marching Band members. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN anchor Lee Corso fits on his signature Duck head for a fifth consecutive year, selecting the Ducks for a win against the UCLA Bruins as anchor Kirk Herbstreit holds back his son, Chase, who had been clutching the duck head behind the set’s main stage. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Eugene Emeralds mascot, Sluggo, sits atop a ladder to see above the crowd of signs outside of the Lillis Business Complex on the University of Oregon Campus. The No. 2 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
ESPN’s College GameDay analyst Lee Corso is escorted from the broadcast set to a waiting car near the EMU. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)
Decathlon world record holder, reigning world champion and UO alumnus Ashton Eaton takes a few minutes to take photos with fans after ESPN’s College Gameday. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
The Duck rides down the Memorial Quad atop of the Oregon Club motorcycle after College GameDay. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
UO alumnus Dan Willett and his daughter Drew Willett, 9, traveled from Sun Valley, Idaho to watch the Ducks play the UCLA Bruins and to attend College GameDay. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
A group of Oregon fans begin to doze off and feel the effects of early morning festivities for ESPN’s College GameDay. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
GameDay anchor Lee Corso, from right, speaks to Oregon fans Branden Papé and Cameron Thomas. 6-year-old Papé has been prominently featured on the previous two GameDay Oregon broadcasts. He held the live duck that Corso hoisted aloft during the 2012 broadcast. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon cheerleaders are illuminated in the early morning darkness by the GameDay giant LED television screen. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Eugene resident Garrett Naber wears a red Power Ranger costume for ESPN’s College GameDay in hope of getting noticed by the cameras. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
ESPN analyst Samantha Ponder kicks off her GameDay segment. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN analyst Samantha Ponder and Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich share a laugh together in response to an interview question from ESPN anchor Chris Fowler. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN analyst Tom Rinaldi shares a laugh with anchor Chris Fowler as the pair bet over their knowledge of FBS quarterbacks. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
GameDay anchors David Pollack, from left, Desmond Howard, Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, and Kirk Herbstreit discuss FBS football games for the upcoming day. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
An Oregon fan waits patiently in the early darkness and fog at 3:40 a.m. for the ESPN GameDay set on the Memorial Quad to come alive. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN analyst David Pollack adjusts his earpiece as he takes in the assembled crowd one hour prior to broadcast. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN’s College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit autographs a fan’s poster prior to leaving the GameDay set. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)
At 5:30 a.m., with the GameDay perimeter at its maximum capacity, dozens of fans patiently remained in line for a chance to get their moment of fame on TV. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
By 4:45 a.m., the crowd had swollen to such a degree that security prevented additional fans from entering the GameDay perimeter. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Juniors Sean McLaughlin and Emily Pilger share a moment on the outskirts of the Memorial Quad at 4 a.m., some 2 hours before GameDay kicks off. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
11-year-old Eugene resident Maxx Thielman wears his Halloween costume around campus during the broadcast of ESPN’s College GameDay. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
GameDay anchor David Pollack, right, argues with senior Ryan Singer over the controversial BCS rankings of Florida State over Oregon.The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Freshman Jacob Grassauer takes a self-portrait with ESPN analyst Samantha Ponder during the broadcast. Grassauer is attending his fifth consecutive GameDay at Oregon, a record for the University. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
UCLA supporters Vandria Caballero-Stevens, left, Justin Brandt, center, and Evan Anorga, right, flew up from Los Angeles, Calif. yesterday to be able to support the Bruins at ESPN GameDay early this morning. The No. 2 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
Former Duck and Olympian Ashton Eaton, seated far left, discusses his football projections with the GameDay analysts near the end of the broadcast. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN anchor Lee Corso (at right) waves to the crowd as he rides the Oregon motorcycle with The Duck past hundreds of cheering fans and cheerleaders. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
ESPN analyst Samantha Ponder has her hair adjusted a few moments before taking to the GameDay stage to begin her segment. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Lee Corso, back, and the Duck, front, ride the motorcycle through the crowd at the end of the broadcast of ESPN’s College GameDay. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
Brothers Scott and John Thompson play a game of pick-up football together during the broadcast of ESPN’s College GameDay. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Taylor Wilder/Emerald)
The Duck Trucks signature Duck atop its hood was painted a metallic green, matching the team’s expected uniform color. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Innumerable Miley Cyrus posters, cut-outs, and memes made their way onto the GameDay set, as this floating Miley head is framed by the Lillis Business Complex “O” while ESPN analyst Samantha Ponder interviews Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Tom Finneran, a Portland resident who doubles as the “DuckNut,” wins fan of the week for ESPN’s GameDay. The No. 3 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
Los Angeles resident Justin Brandt, takes a break from ESPN’s College GameDay to play with 6-year- old chocolate lab Cocoa. The No. 2 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
The DuckNut celebrates being awarded “Fan of the Week” with Oregon cheerleaders, band members and fans. The No. 2 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
Eugene resident Peter Meagher holds up an “O” for the camera flying over the heads of the crowd gathered for ESPN’s College GameDay. The No. 2 Oregon Ducks play the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
ESPN’s College GameDay analyst Lee Corso places the Ducks mascot on his head and thus chooses No. 3 Oregon Ducks over the No. 12 UCLA Bruins in a top 15 football matchup taking place tonight at at Autzen Stadium tonight. Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 26, 2013. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)