Live from Memorial Quad: College GameDay returns to Eugene for Ducks vs. Trojans

ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcast is back at the University of Oregon’s Memorial Quad to rile up attendees for the Ducks’ matchup against USC on Nov. 22.

This is the second time this season “College Gameday” has set up at Memorial Quad. Last time “GameDay” was in town, the Ducks were playing the Indiana University Hoosiers. After a 30-20 loss to Indiana in October,  “GameDay” returns to see the Ducks take on the Trojans.

The “GameDay” broadcast airs from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on ESPN. The game kicks off at 12:30 p.m., airing on CBS. This return to Eugene marks the first time since 2007 that “College GameDay” has traveled to UO twice in a season. It will be the 14th time that the broadcast event has visited Eugene.

The Oregon Ducks are ranked at No. 5 while USC sits at No. 16 ahead of the game at Autzen Stadium.

“GameDay’s” last celebrity guest picker was WNBA player Sabrina Ionescu. Oregon football's only Heisman Trophy winner and all-time great quarterback Marcus Mariota will serve as the guest picker this time around.

3:30 p.m. Nov. 21

Fourteen hours before the start of ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcast, dedicated Duck fans were starting to line up on the sidewalk of the Memorial Quad for their chance to be front and center for the next morning’s events.

At around 3:30 p.m. Nov. 21, event staffers were setting up line barricades and about 20 fans were already lined up.

Gearing up for their first time camping out overnight for “GameDay” were Mikayla Calabaza, a physics major, and Soren Witkowski, a psychology major. Both freshman said they couldn’t pass up their second opportunity to camp out for a “GameDay” broadcast.

During ESPN’s visit in October, the duo said they attended the broadcast in the morning, but this time, they’re in it for the long haul with plans to stay overnight and through the broadcast. Neither student is going to the game against USC, so they’re using the “GameDay” broadcast to still enjoy the football season.

“I just wanted to come to this one because it was fun and I didn’t get to camp out for the other one,” Witowski said. “I want to camp out for this one because I don’t know the next time it’s going to happen.”

They agreed they want to see the Ducks win the game by a significant lead.

“I hope Oregon wins and by a lot because I don’t like USC,” Calabaza said.

Also toward the front of the line, more than half a day in advance of the broadcast, was Liz Sewell. This is the senior history major’s third time attending “College GameDay” in Eugene.

She said the only reason she’s attending this time is because of a friend’s birthday and that she’s surprised that the broadcast has returned to Eugene after just over a month.

“In a month difference is kind of crazy,” Sewell said. “Normally it’s not every year, even, and it’s been every year now.”

While discussing the odds of friends winning the field goal kick, Sewell interrupts herself by saying, “Oh my gosh, Pat McAfee!”

The “College GameDay” analyst stopped by the front of the line and snapped a group photo with the first group of attendees before leaving just as soon as he appeared. Sewell was part of the group photo. With a smile, she recounts how McAfee and Dan Lanning, UO football coach, took their shirts off during the last broadcast.

“I saw him and was just, like, baffled for a second,” she said of her response to recognizing the “GameDay” host.

Sewell said she’s excited about guest picker Marcus Mariota and hopes she can get a selfie with him for her mom, who is a fan of the football player.

As a three-time “GameDay” attendee, Sewell said her expert advice for folks going to the broadcast is to focus on warm and waterproof clothing.

ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcast begins at 6 a.m. Nov. 22.

Hannarose McGuinness is The Register-Guard's growth and development reporter. You can reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: College GameDay takes over Memorial Quad for the second time this season