University of Oregon apologizes for offensive language aimed at BYU, Mormons
The University of Oregon issued a statement of apology on Sunday after videos showed Ducks fans in the student section chanting offensive statements against Mormons during the BYU game.
“The University of Oregon sincerely apologizes for an offensive and disgraceful chant coming from the student section during yesterday’s game against Brigham Young University,” the apology reads.
“These types of actions go against everything the university stands for, and it goes against the spirit of competition. We can and will do better as a campus community that has no place for hate, bias or bigotry.”
The Ducks won the game versus BYU 41-20 but the incident put a dark cloud over the victory.
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Upon seeing the video of the chants on Twitter, Utah governor Spencer Cox tweeted: “Religious bigotry alive and celebrated in Oregon.”
The Oregon student section sent out an apology of its own after the game on Saturday, which Cox responded to with heart and fist-bump emojis.
“To all @BYUfootball fans in attendance at today’s game we would like to apologize for the actions of the students in attendance,” the Oregon Pit Crew tweeted. “We do not condone or support any hateful speech directed towards one’s religion and are ashamed of those who participated.”
Dan Lanning responds to GameDay crew picks
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning saw the picks from the College GameDay crew on Saturday morning as the Ducks prepared to take on BYU. Despite the fact that the game was being played in Eugene, only one person — guest picker and country music artist Luke Combs — picked Oregon to win.
Combs’ prediction would ultimately come true, as the Ducks went on to secure a 41-20 victory against the Cougars. That led Lanning to take to Twitter postgame, where he offered a thank you to Combs for being the only person on the show that believed in his team.
“@lukecombs Appreciate you Luke!” Lanning wrote. “Welcome in Eugene anytime!”
The game was never in doubt, as Oregon jumped out to a 38-7 lead before allowing a couple of late BYU touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Bo Nix scored five total touchdowns — two passing and three rushing — while finishing 13-of-18 passing for 222 yards.
On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.