No. 12 BYU takes first trip to Autzen Stadium in 32 years with chance to make big statement

EUGENE, Ore. — When Kaleb Hayes was roaming the defensive backfield at Oregon State, where he spent two years before transferring to BYU, the thought never crossed his mind.

At the very least, the idea that he could be a fan of Oregon, enamored by the fun offense or the flashy uniforms, was constantly repressed.

Now that he's at BYU, he can be a little more honest. And speaking candidly, Hayes admits to being a little starstruck when he looked up to the Ducks as a youngster in San Bernardino, California.

That ounce of fanhood will translate to respect when Hayes and No. 12 BYU meet 25th-ranked Oregon on Saturday afternoon (1:30 p.m. MDT, FOX) in one of the biggest games of college football's Week 3, where the Ducks are 3-point favorites.

"The Beaver in me would say, of course it's a little bit emotional," Hayes said. "I was always a fan of Oregon growing up, to be honest with you, but while I was in Corvallis that became taboo.

"I think now that I'm at BYU, we're going to show a lot of respect to that team," he added. "But it's going to be interesting, though. It's exciting to be back in Oregon and at Autzen Stadium."

So you could say that Hayes is ready for BYU's Week 3 kickoff. Maybe that's why he eagerly waited behind defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki earlier this week, waiting for interviews and shouting at the retreating media when a sudden thunderstorm pushed the post-practice session indoors.

Only a handful of Cougars have been to historic Autzen Stadium — the team hasn't played there since 1990 — and Hayes has been talking with plenty of teammates about the Pacific Northwest, the atmosphere, and, of course, the crowd of 54,000 that regularly packs and deafens the field for the Pac-12 power.

Hayes has fit in seamlessly on campus since he quietly transferred to Provo from Oregon State, playing in all 13 games since his arrival and starting the last 10. But his experience against a former rival — once a war referred to as civil, but now called neither — comes at a time when BYU has a chance to prove its No. 12 ranking and possibly make a case for the College Football Playoff (or at the very least, a New Year's Six bowl berth) with a second win over a ranked opponent to start the season.

"It's going to be an exciting atmosphere," he said. "It's one of the experiences of a lifetime; many of us have gone to big stadiums with full crowds. But Autzen Stadium brings a lot of energy, which I feel is going to help us.

"It's exciting. This is what we've dreamed of since we were little kids: to be in a spot where everyone is looking at us, waiting for us to do something. I'm just telling them to enjoy it, be in the moment, and just play our football. It's going to be fun."

It's also the type of crowd noise that is hard to replicate. BYU has been practicing on its outdoor facility field in Provo with large speakers cranking white noise and simulated cheers at full blast.

But until you experience the noise, it's hard to understand. Luckily, the Cougars have several home games of near-capacity crowds of 63,000 at LaVell Edwards Stadium to rely on in that preparation.

"Luckily, the weather has been pretty similar to the Pacific Northwest," BYU wide receivers coach Fesi Sitake quipped after a second day of practices with scattered showers. "I don't know what the football gods are doing, but they're clearly sending us some rain that I think we might need.

"You can't simulate Autzen, but you can try to do as much as you can. I think we've been doing a good job with that."

For the players who haven't experienced Eugene, Saturday's trip is the chance to check off a college football bucket-list item. BYU owns a 3-3 record all-time against Oregon, and is 2-1 as a ranked opponent.

The last time the program traveled to Eugene, though, the Cougars boasted a No. 4 national ranking, were coming off a home upset of then-No. 1 Miami — and promptly lost 32-16 on Sept. 29, 1990.

Since then, the two standard-bearers on the West Coast from distinct conferences (and very different perceptions) have only met once, an 18-8 win by then-No. 19 BYU in the 2006 Las Vegas Bowl.

So naturally, the trip of a semi-generational trip is also a business trip, one broadcast on over-the-air network television with a chance to send a statement about BYU's 2022 campaign.

"Autzen's got a great rep," said linebacker Ben Bywater, an Olympus High product who has become one of the Cougars' top tacklers. "The big games are what you play for. Nobody wants to play in smalls stadiums that no one shows up.

"Primetime football Saturday, it's going to be big time. I'm ready to rock and roll."

Related topics