In a recent college football game, the Oregon Ducks beat the Oregon State Beavers 36-35 in the final minute. Think that civil war was close?
Read about Greg Mulkey, the athletic coordinator at Marshfield, and his experience playing in a civil war that was even closer.

What was the closest civil war game you played in?

I played in a 0-0 game in 1983. When I played in the college level there was no overtime. It was my senior year. The game was later known as the toilet bowl.

What positions did you play in that game?

I played defensive end, I was a backup punter and kicker all four years. We had missed a total of five field goals. I was coming off the field after playing defense, and with six minutes to go, our head coach told me, “If we get close you’re kicking.”

I started thinking, “oh gosh.” Here I would be the one that would have to kick at the end with the game on the line.

What do you remember most from that game?

It was at Autzen and it was very cold. It was raining, snowing and water was gushing down the stairs so rapidly it was hitting the bottom of the stairs and splashing against the concrete wall at the bottom.

Neither team was very good, no one could score, but the cold and snow affected us a lot.

It would have been nice to finish my senior year with a win, but at least we didn’t lose.

How does that game compare with the most recent civil war?

The game of football has changed. The offensive schemes, the game has opened up. We were using much more run oriented offenses. Because of that, our defense was geared for the run. I don’t think athletes have changed. Athletically it hasn’t changed but the philosophy has.

What are some of your favorite memories from playing in civil war games?

I’ll never forget D. Andros, known as the great pumpkin, because he would always wear an orange jacket and orange pants and he was a huge guy. He would come into the locker room and read us the Man In the Mirror, (a poem by Dale Wimbrow). He got so fired up telling us that we would earn bragging rights in the state of Oregon.

The energy and excitement was so much more intense because of the rivalry. Playing in all four games was an honor and something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.