On the court and in the crowd, the Oregon Ducks are still a work in progress

MKA was sold out against Purdue. But it was the Boilermaker fans making noise in the end.

EUGENE — The Purdue fan in the No. 1 jersey waited patiently in the aisle trying to find a friendly face. The Boilermakers just beat the Oregon Ducks 65-58, and as chants of “Let’s Go Boilers” rang out through a once-full Matthew Knight Arena, the visitor finally locked in on someone.

A middle-aged Oregon fan agreed to photograph the man and his wife. It was quick. The couple smiled and said thanks. Then they made a final request.

“Please just don’t play us again in football.”