The Oregon Ducks finished their season on a high note as they finished with a dominant win over the Liberty Flames in the Fiesta Bowl. From a big-picture perspective, it was the ending of a well-storied and well-documented college saga. Because of the recent rule changes, the Oregon Ducks QB was able to take advantage and had a chance to show how a change in scenery can at times benefit college football as a whole.
Oregon Ducks Two-Year Starter
Bo Nix has played his final college snap. As the Oregon Ducks closed out their season with a 45-6 win against Liberty, one of the most decorated quarterbacks of this era played his last in college.
With many expected NFL draft picks opting to not play in nonplayoff bowl games, Nix felt the need to close a chapter in his life with an exclamation point. And he did more than that!
To be frank, Nix made it look easy. While it was a slow first quarter, once he kicked it into high gear, this smooth-flowing offense of the Oregon Ducks was able to flex its dominance through their quarterback. Nix finished with 363 yards, on 28 of 35 for 5 touchdowns thrown.
A highlight of the game included one of his second-quarter throws. With about 7:30 left in the game, the quarterback took a snap on a first-and-goal play from inside the opponent’s five-yard line. On what appeared to be some backfield trickery, Nix evaded the pressure, nearly stumbled but used his balance to regain control and found Terrance Ferguson for the touchdown.
This play showed the evolution of Nix as a playmaker as a quarterback. Not scrambling to pick up yards, but keeping plays alive, always looking to make the big play downfield. With his body frame and proven ability to remain composed under pressure, it’s not hard to see why some are seeing him coming off of the NFL draft board early in April.
Oregon Ducks QB Accolades
Among numerous records and milestones, as the quarterback who has the most college starts, Nix has set the mark at 61 as a member of the Oregon Ducks. He has also eeked out the all-time highest completion percentage, beating out Mac Jones by 0.01% at 77.2% in a single season.
He has also surpassed Marcus Mariotta in Oregon Ducks single-season records with his 4,145 yards and 40 passing touchdowns, all while keeping the ball safe and only throwing three interceptions. His career in Oregon speaks to the longevity and continued improvement that we saw from Nix during his college career.
Oregon Ducks QB Rough Start Before Eugene
As a freshman, he started under Gus Malzahn at Auburn. While some criticized the playcalling, others the defense-first culture, he had varied success throughout his playing stages in the SEC.
His freshman year was arguably his best year with his opening start and win coincidentally enough coming against the Oregon Ducks in an epic showdown. Yet when a coaching change left Nix not feeling as at ease, he elected to come to the North-West to change the trajectory of his career.
When his first year in Oregon ended, Nix outwardly showed how much he felt that he had made the right decision.
There is nothing like a Saturday in Autzen Stadium in front of the best fans in college football. There’s nothing like playing for my coaches and going to battle with my teammates. There’s nothing like being an Oregon Duck. For 2023, I’m back.
And back he was for a season that fans will remember for a long time.