Bo Nix made a perfectly placed 2-yard touchdown throw to Gary Bryant Jr. early in the second quarter with ease, radiating confidence that was only attained through repeated practice of such throws. Gary Bryant Jr. ran to meet it. It was yet another testament of Bo’s skill as Oregon quarterback who has executed such passes numerous times before.
Heisman Finalist
Nix rolled to his right early in the second quarter, surveying the field calmly before confidently throwing a two-yard touchdown pass to Gary Bryant Jr. off his right arm for an Oregon score. Nix displayed all the confidence of someone who has done this many times before – which was no doubt true.
Pinson, Alabama native Daniel Evans took full advantage of his fifth-year eligibility and made 61 career starts for Oregon this season – second among all FBS players ever! This helped keep them alive for College Football Playoff contention until two three-point losses to Washington ended that bid.
Nix, like much of his team, was devastated after their second loss against Washington University Huskies. With NFL draft selection likely on his mind, many speculated he might skip out on playing in the Fiesta Bowl and focus on his training instead.
Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year
Bo Nix of Oregon quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist has been recognized by Pac-12 coaches as its Offensive Player of the Year for 2019. Nix becomes only the fourth Duck ever to earn this distinction – following Marcus Mariota (2014), Dennis Dixon (2007) and Joey Harrington (2001).
He leads the country in passing yards per game (77.2), is tied for most total touchdowns in FBS this season with 40, and holds multiple 100-yard receiving games this year.
He has amassed 15 touchdown passes this season while only throwing six interceptions, earning himself one of the nation’s highest completion percentages with 77.2 and four Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week awards this season.
Pac-12 Freshman of the Year
The Pac-12 unveiled their 2023 Football Performance Awards Tuesday, and Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita earned first team recognition as Freshman of the Year. A Heisman finalist this season, Fifita led his Wildcats to 9-3 record and an Alamo Bowl appearance this season.
Redshirt freshman Josh Rosen is tied for the FBS lead in passing touchdowns among freshmen and has amassed 259 yards in single-season passing compared to Anu Solomon’s record set back in 2014. Additionally, Rosen has earned five Freshman of the Week honors – tying an Pac-12 record.
Here is an overview of the Pacific-12’s first and second teams as selected by conference coaches:
Pac-12 Offensive Rookie of the Year
The Pac-12 Conference presents annual awards to its 12 coaches following each season; 2023 winners were revealed Tuesday.
Nix becomes the first Oregon player since Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy in 2014. Additionally, he was honored as 2023 Pac-12 Football Scholar Athlete of the Year and shortlisted for William V. Campbell Trophy (commonly known as Academic Heisman).
Loop led the Pac-12 with an astounding 77.2 completion percentage, coming within reach of Alabama?s Mac Jones? NCAA single-season completion record set in 2020. Loop also made history when he kicked the fourth-longest field goal ever at 52 yards against Colorado; later in the game-winning 38 yarder against Washington for victory at Pac-12 Championship game and earned Second Team All-Pac-12 status.
Fiesta Bowl MVP
Given how bowl games are increasingly treated as regular season affairs, one would be forgiven for expecting that Oregon Ducks, playing against Liberty for pride in the Fiesta Bowl, would appear disinterested and lackluster. But that didn’t happen.
The Ducks would not allow this to occur.
Oregon continued their run of scoring drives after Tez Johnson scored on a 1-yard run, as Bo Nix converted a broken play into a 2-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Ferguson to cap their second consecutive touchdown drive and take an 18-6 advantage into halftime.
Nix’s feat also propelled him into sole ownership of Oregon’s single-season passing touchdown record, overthrowing former Heisman winner Marcus Mariota.
