Droughns' Diary

	Find out more about Reuben Droughns and Oregon at www.goducks.com.

Nov. 18, 1999

Oregon's senior tailback Reuben Droughns talks about his last home game, taking on the Beavers at home, and how the Civil War will be more special being in Autzen this time around.

“It’s coming to the end of the line, my two years as a Duck. It’s been a long wait, but it also feels good and weird at the same time. Before you know it, it’ll be all over and that part of your life -- playing and playing with your college friends --- is a fun time. At the next step though, football becomes your job. That privilege is still something you’ve worked for all your life, so it’s an exciting feeling but still different.”

“One nice part is that we’ll be able to play this weekend against the Beavers at home. I really love to play in front of our fans, they’re so great. It’s also the best feeling when you’re playing your rival game and you’re at home in front of your home crowd. It’s an unexplainable rush when you get on the field. Even though I’m from California, that doesn’t mean I won’t get super-pumped up for this game. I’m a part of this team and whomever I’m associated with if they have an enemy, they become my enemy. It could be Washington State, UCLA, etc., it doesn’t matter. I’m going to play my heart out no matter who it is. I feel for a rival game that you have to step it up to a new level, a level you’ve never played at before.”

“Last year we played them at Corvallis and they beat us. I was there on the sideline but couldn’t play because of the injury, and it was hard. I wanted to see what I could do and the fact that they beat us made it even harder. They played a great game, and we did too, and eventually somebody had to win. It’s the same this year -- we both have equal records and equal intentions. It’s going to be a battle, definitely a battle, and it will come down to who wants it the most. Hopefully our crowd can stay behind us as well as their’s did. They rushed the field before the game was over, and that was part I didn’t really like.”

“Some people look back to that game and said that only if they had a healthy me... That’s OK for them to say that, but it doesn’t put any more pressure on me. Last year we still had guys who could get the job done as well as I could. This year is now this year, and I’ll give it my all, and if that works out and helps the team, then so be it.”

“This is also another game when you have the Reuben vs. you-fill-in-the-blank great running back. That’s often a neat situation for me with that build-up. When we’re on the field, I definitely take a peak at them and how they’re playing and even sometimes get something from them. What’s also important is to notice how hard they’re working, which makes you step up your level of play, too. If you feel you’re not doing your job, then watch them dancing in the end zone, that makes you think you got to get it going that much more.”

“As far as which opposing running back I was impressed with, I would have liked to have played against J.R. Redmond. But his replacement I also liked, Eric Flowers. He worked his butt off in that game and his numbers showed it. I think he’s definitely an up-and-coming star in this league.”