(Editor's note: Oregon running back Reuben Droughns will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season. For more information on the Ducks, visit the official Oregon site.)

Nov. 18, 1999

It's coming to the end of the line, my two years as a Duck. It's been a long wait, but it also feels good and weird at the same time. Before you know it, it'll be all over and that part of your life -- playing and playing with your college friends --- is a fun time. At the next step, though, football becomes your job. That privilege is still something you've worked for all your life, so it's an exciting feeling, but still different.

	THE FULL DOSE OF DIARIES
	Georgia Tech's Joe Hamilton: Defying the odds
	Miami's André King: Playing for pride and a bowl
	UCLA's Danny Farmer: Capping the career with a win
	Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops: A tough game at Texas Tech
	USC's Travis Claridge: Proving them all wrong

One nice part is that we'll be able to play this weekend against the Beavers at home. I really love to play in front of our fans -- they're so great. It's also the best feeling when you're playing your rival game and you're at home in front of your home crowd. It's an unexplainable rush when you get on the field.

Even though I'm from California, that doesn't mean I won't get super-pumped up for this game. I'm a part of this team and whoever I'm associated with ... if they have an enemy, they become my enemy. It could be Washington State, UCLA, etc., it doesn't matter. I'm going to play my heart out no matter who it is. I feel for a rival game you have to step it up to a new level -- a level you've never played at before.

Last year we played Oregon State at Corvallis and the Beavers beat us. I was there on the sideline but couldn't play because of my ankle injury, and it was hard. I wanted to see what I could do, and the fact that they beat us made it even harder. They played a great game -- and we did too -- but eventually somebody had to win. It's the same this year. We both have equal records and equal intentions. It's going to be a battle -- definitely a battle -- and it will come down to who wants it the most. Hopefully, our crowd can stay behind us as well as their's did last year. They rushed the field before the game was over, and that was a part I didn't really like.

Some people look back to that game and say "if only Reuben had been healthy." That's OK for them to say, but it doesn't put any more pressure on me. Last year, we still had guys who could get the job done as well as I could. This year is this year now, and I'll give it my all. If that works out and helps the team, then so be it.

This is also another game when you have the Reuben vs. you-fill-in-the-blank great running back. That's often a neat situation for me, playing with that buildup. When we're on the field, I definitely take a peak at the other running back and how he's playing and even sometimes get something from him. What's also important is to notice how hard he's working, which makes you step up your level of play, too. If you feel you're not doing your job, then watch him dancing in the end zone. That makes you think you've got to get it going that much more.

As far as which opposing running back I was impressed with, I would have liked to have played against J.R. Redmond. But I also like his replacement, Eric Flowers. He worked his butt off in the Arizona State game and his numbers showed it. I think he's definitely an up-and-coming star in this league.