Civil War attire: OSU to wear new Nike design

NEW YORK CITY – The Oregon State Beavers football team was one of 10 to take part in a New York City unveiling of new Nike Pro Combat uniforms on Wednesday. | See photos of the new Oregon State football uniforms

The Beavers, the only team to participate from the Pacific-10 Conference, will wear their Pro Combat uniform on Dec. 4 in the Civil War against Oregon.

The jersey designs honors the Oregon State "Giant Killers" team from 1967. As described by Nike, an orange – called Solar Orange – is the predominant motif, seen on the helmet, base layer sleeves, pants and socks.

To match the look of 1967, the pant color is Sail instead of stark white. An iconic "O" mark is used on the front left hip of the pant, while "OSU" forms on the gloves when the palms face outward.

Corresponding footwear in Solar Orange and Black completes the uniform.

Nike convened distinguished representatives associated with each university to deliver the uniforms' unique stories, including Steve Preece, who was a member of Oregon State's 1967 team known as the "Giant Killers."

Preece went on to a successful career as defensive back with the Los Angeles Rams.

Information from Nike:

Once considered the spoiler when toppling bigger teams, the Oregon State Beavers have outgrown the role of underdog. Led by Coach Mike Riley, the Beavers steadily notched wins in recent years, burnishing a legacy of hard work and towering spirit. This year, Oregon State will be one of 10 top college teams to don the innovative Nike Pro Combat System of Dress when they take the field against archrival University of Oregon on Dec. 4.

The uniforms revive a look worn by the victorious Beavers of 1967. It was the year Oregon State earned the nickname Giant Killers after a streak of upsets, including wins over the top-ranked USC Trojans, No. 2 Purdue and the rival Ducks. The Beavers finished the season 7-2-1 and cemented their reputation for knocking the greats down a peg. In addition to the meaning it holds, the 1967 uniform’s simplicity appealed to Nike designers.

The traditional athletic styling of Oregon State’s Giant Killers uniform is amplified in this year’s Nike Pro Combat System of Dress. A bold Solar Orange stripe is the predominant motif, seen on the helmet, base layer sleeves, pant and socks. Oversized Solar Orange numbers on the Black jersey also stand out. In creating the block numbers, designers were inspired by the stately neoclassical architecture of
Oregon State’s campus. The numbers appear not just on the front and back of the jersey but on both shoulders as well. To match the archival dirtied white look of ’67, the pant color is Sail instead of stark white. An iconic “O” mark is used on the front left hip of the pant, while “OSU” forms on the gloves when the palms face outward. The school’s rallying cry “Beaver Nation” is embroidered inside the back yoke of the jersey and on inner cuff of the glove. Corresponding footwear in Solar Orange and Black completes the commanding ensemble.

The Oregon State Nike Pro Combat System of Dress captures the essence of Beaver Football while delivering significant performance benefits. The uniforms are 37 percent lighter than current designs, relieving players of extra weight in a game that demands top speed. The four-way stretch twill fabric rapidly sheds sweat and water, ensuring that even when wet, these uniforms are lighter than their standard-issue counterparts when completely dry. Dual-density foam padding provides critical protection and greater mobility than traditional pads for unencumbered speed. The Nike Pro Combat base layer allows for specific pad placement to suit every position, providing a highly customized solution. The game of football has evolved. Players are stronger and faster, collisions more forceful. For the Oregon State Beavers, the Nike Pro Combat System of Dress delivers unmatched lightweight protection in a formidable head-to-toe package.