Autzen Stadium (Eugene, Oregon)

Capacity: 54,000

Surface: Field Turf

Opened:  September 23, 1967

Original Cost: $2.5 million

Original Capacity: 42,000

Record: 141-90-5

2007 Home Record: 5-2

2007 Average Attendance: 58.845 (NCAA Rank #34)

Stadium Overview:

Atmosphere:   

Autzen Stadium is a must visit for college football fans. The atmosphere is incredible.  To say it is loud is an understatement.  The amenities of Autzen Stadium are top notch.  This is an absolutely beautiful facility.  The fans at Autzen make this one of the better venues in all of football.  This is a great place for visitors to play during the 3rd quarter of games here.  The entire stadium clears out and go to the parking lot to grab a few non-alcoholic beverages.  You know it is bad when they play numerous messages on the video board asking fans to keep the home field advantage by getting back to their seats in time for the start of the second half. 

Student Section: 

Loud!!!  My visit this year was enjoyable as I received a lot of heckling from the students in and out of the stadium.  The heckling was in good fun.  They love their Ducks in Eugene.

Visitor Section: 

Great location and an excellent view of the game from the visitor section.  It was great for the 2007 game with Cal.  I felt close enough to reach out and grab the ball as the Oregon ball carrier fumbled it out of the end zone.

Location: 

Very similar to Berkeley in a lot of senses, can be called Berkeley North.  Easy access to parking and freeways.  Eugene is in the middle of nowhere, though there are some direct flights from SFO to Eugene.

History:

Not a lot of history but the atmosphere and the noise make up for it.  Since it is newer and has gone through extensive renovations Autzen is very comfortable.  My wife ranks the restrooms as the best of any college football stadiums.

Overview: 

This is my second favorite place to watch a college football game (Memorial Stadium is #1).  Nice facility, good fans, and great view from all seats.  It is almost like Disneyland...especially when the mascot is running around the field (the duck has a very strong resemblance to Donald Duck).

Rating Autzen Stadium
Atmosphere
Student Section
Visitor Section
Location
History
Overall Rating

Interesting Fact: Autzen is known for its crowd noise. On October 27, 2007, during a 24-17 defeat of the USC Trojans, a record crowd of 59,277 fans was recorded at 127.2 decibels. A similarly-loud 31-27 upset of third-ranked Michigan in 2003 prompted a Michigan Daily columnist to write.   Autzen's 59,000 strong make the Big House sound like a pathetic whimper. It's louder than ... The Swamp at Florida, The Shoe in Columbus, and Death Valley at Louisiana State. Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die.   Michigan coach Lloyd Carr later said that Autzen Stadium was the loudest stadium he'd ever been in. In 2006, a Sporting News columnist named Autzen the most intimidating college football stadium in the nation. Lee Corso of ESPN College Gameday frequently says that; "Per person Autzen Stadium is the loudest stadium that I have ever been in my entire life!"