



If you were at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, or even if you were watching from home, you recognized something new when the Oregon defense was faced with a crucial down. Blaring over the Autzen PA speakers was a loud siren sound.

A little research leads you to find its source: the popular horror franchise The Purge. (Take a listen here). In the film series, the siren is played to announce the beginning of 12 hours of lawlessness in the United States. Essentially, crime becomes legal, and nothing is off the table, including murder.

Defensive lineman Jordon Scott and defensive back Ugo Amadi felt the sound would act as the perfect alert for the rowdy fans that the action on the field had become critical.

“Third down is a key part of the defense," Scott said following Wednesday's practice. "When people come into Autzen, not only do they have the crowd screaming, but they have the siren. It’s just another part of the mental game.

“I think it’s cool to have something before the snap to make the third down situation more crucial to the offense... We’re going to make it louder this time."

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Scott and Amadi promoted the idea at a team-only meeting last month, linebacker Kaulana Apelu said. The response was close to universally positive.

“[Scott] brought it up, and I thought ‘that’s a cool idea’," Apelu said. “It’s something different, I think different is always cool."

The concept is not new. Professional franchises and schools across the country have similar third down warnings. Oregon's rival Beavers use a chainsaw to denote important plays. But, as Scott said, only Oregon uses this one. And to the fans of the movies, many of which are on the team, it represents something sinister.

"The Purge is serious," freshman safety Jevon Holland explained. "It’s this giant noise on all the speakers across America. It’s everywhere."

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But, its intent isn't just to rile up the fanbase. It's also intended to have the same effect on Oregon's defense. Players are able to hear the sound down on the field, whether they're on the sideline or playing in the game.

"You can definitely hear it on the field," freshman linebacker Adrian Jackson said. "When you hear the purge, it hits a new clicker in your head that it’s time to go."

“On third down its a reminder to get off the field and get the ball back to Justin," Apelu added.

Holland says the goal is also to let the opposing offense know the upcoming play won't go the way they intend it to go, just as those hearing the sound in the films know the next 12 hours might not either.

“It lets the offense know that we’re coming," Holland said. "And you’re not getting this third down conversion."