Boise Hawks Experience Life Outside Bronco Country

As September 3 approaches, Boise prepares for what promises to be the biggest sporting event to ever take place in Boise. But don't expect Boise to be alone in the hype. The city of Eugene, where the Boise Hawks had to experience baseball this season, is pumped and ready for a rematch after the beloved Ducks of the University of Oregon were beat down on their home turf last season.

Jason Edgar, a fan of the Ducks, along with many other fans, focused on one specific play that he is hoping will be avenged.

"The whole thing changed when (Jeron Johnson) committed that cheap shot on our quarterback," he said. "The team knows about that. We know about that."

All signs from quotes from Oregon coach Chip Kelly down to the players and the fans donning the green and yellow are that the team is ready to hit the blue turf, and they are not taking the competition lightly.

"I have always had respect for Boise," Edgar said. "The key thing was, nothing was going to take that game back for us. We did well in the fourth quarter, but by then the game was over. We just threw around."

All around Eugene, citizens boast of their Duck pride with green and yellow flags, bumper stickers and even tattoos. Restaurants, gas stations and bars hold signs, alerting Boiseans that in Eugene, it is not Bronco Country.

As the Boise Hawks faced off against the Emeralds in the first game of a five-game set earlier this season, the fans chanted, "Boise sucks", and any mention of the upcoming NCAA Football contest stirred up emotions that had not completely been laid to rest since the game early last season.

Staffers from the Boise Hawks and Emeralds discussed which home game on September 3 would garner more attendance, the game at Civic Stadium, or Memorial Stadium. Both teams fully knowing that the sports headlines on that day will be reserved for a different sport, on a different field, and with a much bigger ball.

Although the Oregon fan base seems to be going into the game with pride and excitement at mid-season form, and every fan mentioning the big "hit" that needed avenged, they seem to look forward with a sense of reticence. But, as the days grow thin, so does any form of fear about the men that play on the blue.

"I'm amped up," Edgar said. "I'm jacked up. I'm so jacked up; I'm going to name my first son Jack."

With that, he pointed to his wife Gena's belly, which is one month along. No doubt, that child can look forward to rooting for the Ducks as well.