Bo Nix could not have written a better script for his first game as a college football player. Down 21-6 to No. 11 Oregon in the third quarter, Nix engineered three touchdown drives to give his No. 16 Auburn Tigers a 27-21 victory Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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Nix, the son of former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix, was the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for the Tigers since 1946.
After his touchdown pass to Seth Williams put Auburn ahead with nine seconds remaining, Nix gave all the glory to God.
“It’s special,” he told ESPN’s Maria Taylor following the game. “It’s really cool. Like I said, I’m glad to be in this situation. God has blessed me in a huge way and I can’t thank Him enough for what He’s done for me and my family. I’m just thankful for it.”
Nix finished the game with 177 passing yards, 42 rushing yards and two passing touchdowns. He grew up in Alabama and played for his dad at Pinson Valley High School near Birmingham. Both his dad and grandfather played crucial roles in helping shape his faith, which Nix now tries to share with his teammates.
“Whether it’s leading them on the field or off the field, just setting that example, being that role model that they would look up to,” he said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast last year. “Trying to do the right thing all the time when I’m around them and help them to know that it’s not weird or different to be different and do what’s right and be a Christ-follower.”
Nix’s favorite Bible verse is Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
“I think that’s really important, understanding and knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing,” Nix said. “You know that He gave you all the talent that you have and doing anything else besides that would disrespect Him in the long run.”
Nix and the Auburn Tigers return home this weekend to host Tulane, followed by another home game against Kent State before a road test at No. 12 Texas A&M on Sept. 21.
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