The Oregon Ducks’ win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in Week 5 of college football was special for a lot of reasons. But for Erika Kirk, wife of late political activist Charlie Kirk, it may have meant just a little bit more.
Shortly after the game concluded between the Ducks and Nittany Lions, Erika posted three simple words on X: “LET’S GO DUCKS!!!,” followed by a duck and American flag emojis.
Charlie was an avid Ducks fan and followed the team for some time. He was originally going to attend the game on September 27 before his assassination on September 10.
“My goodness, did he love the Oregon Ducks,” Erika said on September 12. “He’d want me to say ‘go Ducks,’ so I have to since they play on Saturday. So go Ducks.”
OutKick’s Clay Travis also acknowledged shortly after Charlie’s death his love of college football.
“I didn’t talk much about politics with Charlie Kirk, we talked about college football,” Travis wrote. “He was a monster Oregon Ducks fan, loved them, built his events around their game times. I hope you let the team know Dan Lanning and I hope you guys do something to honor him.”
Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA Gave Out Shirts Before Oregon-Penn State
Days before the top-10 showdown between No. 6 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State, Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk, announced they would be giving out 5,000 “FREEDOM” shirts in the parking lot of Beaver Stadium — the same one Charlie, 31, was wearing upon his death.
The turnout was resounding and reportedly stretched a mile long, according to conservative influencer Benny Johnson.
“This was a game that Charlie Kirk was going to attend. Charlie Kirk loves Oregon, but he also has a bunch of fans at Penn State and has done huge events there,” Johnson said.
An added bonus to the shirts was that they were white, which was fitting considering Penn State brought out the “White Out” game against the Ducks.
Oregon Ducks Top Penn State in Double Overtime Thriller
Oregon capped an emotional night with a 30-24 win in double overtime, outlasting No. 3 Penn State in front of 111,000 at Beaver Stadium. The Ducks controlled much of the second half, building a two-score lead behind touchdowns from Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordan Davison.
But Drew Allar and receiver Devonte Ross nearly brought Penn State all the way back. Ross hauled in a 35-yard score and then a 7-yard catch with 30 seconds left to tie the game and force overtime.
After trading touchdowns in the first overtime, Oregon struck again when quarterback Dante Moore hit Jamari Johnson from 25 yards out. One play later, Dillon Thieneman’s interception of Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar ended it, giving the Ducks their 23rd straight regular-season victory and sending them to 5-0 on the season.
Penn State fell to 3-1, with the chants of “Fire Franklin!” echoing the frustration of another missed opportunity against a top-10 foe.
Where the Nittany Lions fall in the upcoming AP Poll will be interesting, as will the Ducks probable rise.
Erika Kirk Reacts After Oregon Ducks Stun Penn State in Double Overtime