BCS National Championship 2011: Trip to AZ

My five key takeaways from the BCS National Championship Experience. To read more about the trip, visit You Throw Like a Girl: Your Game Guide to the BCS National Championship.
1. I have never been so "nervously excited" in my life - as I explained to people at least a week prior to the game to anyone who would listen. Other than the heart-wrenching "jump out of your seat" (as if I was sitting) moments in the game, one of the most exciting moments for me was when I actually walked into the stadium and realized I actually had a ticket... and I was in. I was there.

2. Oregon fans are great, wonderful, welcoming people. As I walked into the sports bar in Las Vegas for my layover on my way to Phoenix Saturday afternoon I noticed an empty chair at a table full of Ducks. Naturally, I waltzed up, introduced myself, sat down, and proceeded to have a pre-flight drink with three Duck fans with whom I would find out I had connections. The first, a former defensive football player for Oregon, who played for my uncle Joe Schaffeld during his time at the University of Oregon. We had a touching conversation about Uncle Joe and like everyone who knows Joe, he had nothing but positive things to say. The other two at the table were a father and son duo - the son went to the University of Idaho at the same time as my husband and is now attending the UO Law School. Small world? I think so! My entire trip was reminiscent of this experience and I am in love with my Ducks even more so because of it.

3. Oregon Linebacker #55 Casey Matthews with his flowing hair and bone crushing hits has cemented a place in my heart as one of my favorite Oregon defensive players... ever. With his fancy football pedigree (brothers, fathers, uncles etc in the NFL), he definitely has the bloodlines to be a success, but his aggressive play is what has really grabbed my attention this season. His game-changing play in the fourth quarter of this game was just one of many throughout his Oregon career. Good luck at the next level Casey (and the rest of the Oregon Ducks going in the draft)... I'll be watching.

4. I did not come across one Auburn fan I did not like .... though I am still curious about the whole War Eagle v. Tiger thing and their game attire. I mean maybe Under Armor doesn't make awesome game day gear for men and women like Nike, but come on, khakis to a football game? And croakies all day long? They are maybe appropriate for fishing and even that is up for debate.

5. My family history runs deep with green and yellow and last year I regretted not going to the 2010 Rose Bowl. Immediately following this year's Civil War game I was on the ticket and travel companion hunt. Luckily, I did not have to look far to find a partner in crime when Jessica sent me a message mentioning she was thinking of going. I remember as a child watching the 1995 Rose Bowl game where Oregon played (and unfortunately lost to) Penn State and I was devastated when they lost. I knew this was a game I needed to attend because I would have definitely regretted not going. I have had so many people in the past few days as me if I am over the loss, if I am upset Oregon didn't kick field goals, if I am still crying, and so on... but you know what? I am proud of my Ducks, they played well, they played hard, they played their game and ultimately, though we did not win, we deserved to be there and again: there is always next year!