In a highly anticipated matchup that was the talk of the college football world, quarterback Bo Nix and his Oregon Ducks handed upstart Colorado its first loss of the season, 42-6.
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Nix led the Ducks to touchdowns on five of their six first-half possessions to lead 35-0 at the half, and then added another touchdown on their first possession of the third quarter. The impressive performance landed Oregon at No. 9 in Sunday’s AP poll.
A big reason for Oregon’s 4-0 start to the 2023 season has been the play of Nix, a fifth-year senior from Pinson, Alabama, who spent his first three seasons at Auburn. He completed 28 of his 33 passing attempts for 276 yards and three touchdowns with one interception against the Buffaloes, and also added a score on the ground.
Bo Nix adds another before the half. Oregon (-21) is ROLLING 🦆 pic.twitter.com/q5S4FDTNn9
— SuperBook Sports (@SuperBookSports) September 23, 2023
Overall, Nix has connected on an astounding 79.4% of his passes this season (which would be a career best) for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns. Oregon is now ranked No. 2 in the country in total yards per game (570.8) and points per game (54.0).
When asked after his impressive outing about competing against Colorado’s defensive coordinator, Charles Kelly, whom Nix has known his whole life, Nix responded by mentioning his faith in God. “That’s another God moment,” he said. “He just ordains our steps. He puts us in situations all the time to where life comes full circle.”
Following Oregon’s decisive victory on Saturday, Nix posted on Instagram with a caption that quoted a Bible verse and a prayer:
“Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
“Jesus, thank you for these moments.”
View this post on Instagram
Nix also incorporates his faith in Christ into his game-day uniform. Noticeably, he wears an armband with a cross drawn on his left wrist, a bracelet that says “In Jesus’ Name I Play” on his right wrist, and a right thigh pad displaying the shape of a cross.
In his Instagram bio, Nix declares that “Jesus saves” and also cites his favorite Bible verse, Colossians 3:23. The passage reads, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Nix has been vocal about his faith in Christ even before he set foot on a college campus and garnered nationwide fame.
In 2018, while still in high school, Nix joined the Sports Spectrum Podcast and was asked about the message of Colossians 3:23.
“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.”
Upon announcing his transfer from Auburn in December 2021, Nix again mentioned his faith.
“I don’t know what the next chapter of my life looks like,” Nix said in a video posted to Instagram, “but I do know that whatever it is, God has ordered my steps and He has a plan for me like He does for everyone else.”
He’s continued to stay unashamed about being a follower of Christ as he’s fully settled into life in Eugene.
View this post on Instagram
Thanks to his blistering start, Nix is vaulting himself up lists for Heisman Trophy consideration. He now has the fourth-highest odds, according to VegasInsider.com. Most importantly for him, however, is that his team is in position to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“At the end of the day, our ultimate goal is to win,” Nix said after defeating Colorado. “And that’s what we did.”
Nix and the Ducks will seek to continue their winning ways on Saturday, as they travel to Stanford to take on the Cardinal (1-3). The game is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
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