On Saturday, Oregon’s defense didn’t have many answers for the electric Cameron Ward. Washington State’s talented signal caller gave the Ducks everything they could handle, making ridiculous escapes, off-balance throws and mind-blowing plays time after time.
Last year’s Ducks wouldn’t have had the firepower to keep up with the frenetic Cougar offense. Playing from behind certainly wasn’t Oregon’s specialty under Mario CristobalBecause his units were designed to hold a lead and run the ball, it was a good thing.
But this year’s squad has a trump card — one that was able to outduel Ward in his coming out party. This is the trump card. Bo Nix.
Oregon finally has a quarterback
With his performance against Washington State, Nix dispelled every doubter. Yes, his first half interception was a costly one, and it helped the Cougars build a lead that most wouldn’t have been able to overcome.
But that one blemish doesn’t overshadow what was a performance to remember for Nix and the Oregon offense. Nix was there for the Ducks when they needed him most. With less than six minutes left, the Ducks were down 12 to 12. Nix led backwards touchdown drives with a poised and confident play that reminded me of the best who have worn the green and yellow.
Harry Caston
Nix was amazing down the stretch against WSU.
He was not the same quarterback who made reckless passes in crunch time at Auburn and did not have clean pockets. Instead, he led the offense calmly down the field, finding holes in defenses and throwing strikes to a variety of receivers.
Although Nix may not have had the highlight-reel moments Ward had, when it was time, he did better.
Nix’s development and Oregon’s ability to throw the ball at an elite level is an absolute gamechanger. Not only does a top-tier passing game allow the Ducks to win games such as Saturday’s, where they have to play from behind, but it makes the offense more explosive overall.
It may not look the same as it did under. Chip KellyThe Ducks used to rush for more than 200 yards on a weekly basis. However, the result was not as good. Kenny Dillingham The result is the exact same: an elite, high scoring offense. Granted, Dillingham’s unit isn’t as dominant as Kelly’s to this point, but even with a stinker to start the year against the best team in the country, the Ducks still have one of the top offenses in the country, averaging nearly 500 yards per game.
The catalyst behind the Ducks’ offensive resurgence has been Nix and his ability to play within the system. Against Washington State, Oregon needed every one of Nix’s 428 yards and three touchdowns, and the Ducks haven’t had a quarterback capable of putting up those numbers in a couple of years.
He might have his flaws, but there’s no doubt, Bo Nix has upgraded Oregon’s offense. His performance against the Cougars will be remembered for years to come, and with him at the helm, the ceiling of the Ducks’ offense has raised significantly.
Joshua Whitted
Grove City, Ohio
Top Photo by Harry Caston
Joshua, originally from Pennsylvania in southwestern Pennsylvania, is an adoptive Duck fanatic. When he was a child, his fascination with the University of Oregon and the flashy uniforms, as well as the explosive offenses of Chip Kelly’s era, began. Now, he is a committed fan. His fondest memory of the team is seeing De’Anthony Thomas race past Wisconsin defenders back in the 2012 Rose Bowl. Joshua is an avid football fan. He loves learning about the game and dreams of being a professional journalist. Joshua currently resides in Morgantown West Virginia, where he is a customer service representative. When he’s not watching Oregon replays, Joshua loves reading, writing, and spending time with his family. Contact: whittedjd@gmail.com
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