PORTLAND, Ore. -- The 2000 Civil War game between Oregon and Oregon State was memorable for both sides.
For the first time ever, both schools came into the game ranked in the top 10 nationally. The winner of the game would clinch at least a share of the Pac-10 championship and a berth in a New Year's Day bowl game.
Oregon State remembers the game because they won and earned a place in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1 against Notre Dame.
The star of the game for Oregon State was safety Jake Cookus. He intercepted three passes and propelled his team to a 23-13 win at Reser Stadium. Oregon remembers the game for what could have been and what slipped away.
For the first time in 16 years, I had a chance to sit down and talk with Jake, via Skype, and talk about that game, our history and his return to Corvallis as an assistant coach.
