If there’s one thing to learn following the Oregon Ducks spring football game, it’s that Bo Nix has a stranglehold on the starting quarterback spot and it’s his to lose.
The transfer from Auburn impressed everyone inside Autzen Stadium where an estimated 42,000 fans saw Nix methodically carve up the Duck defense. His knowledge of the playbook, brought over by offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, was apparent from the get-go.
On the first play of the game, Nix found receiver Seven McGee for a 70-yard strike down to the 5-yard line. The Yellow Team scored on the next play and they were well on their way to a 31-21 victory over the Green.
On the other side of things, it took Ty Thompson a couple of possessions to settle in, but once he did, the sophomore led his squad to three first-half touchdowns to take a 21-14 halftime lead.
Thompson’s favorite target turned out to be senior transfer Chase Cota.
The son of Oregon legend Chad Cota showed the ability to find open space in the defense on most routes, and he also showed his ability to go up and make the difficult catch in tight coverage. Cota was credited with 6 catches for 100 yards leading all of the Green team receivers.
McGee’s opening play was just the start of a great day for him, as well.
It wasn’t long ago when McGee considered transferring out of the Oregon program, and now he’s on the verge of becoming this team’s next big star.
Dan Lanning’s staff utilized McGee’s speed in open spaces and found a variety of ways to get him the ball and let his athletic talents take over. The new staff must have watched film of De’Anthony Thomas when he was at Oregon because that’s how they used McGee … as a hybrid player that can run the ball just as well as he can catch it.
SPRING GAME; THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS
NIX’S JOB TO LOSE
Heading into Saturday’s spring football game it was widely thought the quarterback competition between Bo Nix, Ty Thompson, and Jay Butterfield was a fairly even race.
After the spring game, there’s no doubt the job of QB1 is Nix’s to lose.
Nix showed exactly why he was a 5-star signal-caller out of high school and started as a true freshman at Auburn.
Nix walked into Autzen Stadium like he owned the joint and played like it. He was cool under pressure and displayed his mastery of Kenny Dillingham’s offense.
Nix completed 8 of 15 passes for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had one interception from a tipped ball.
Yes, it’s only a spring football game, but there was so much to love about his play. His ability to locate the open receiver was evident. Nix also proved his ability to be accurate with receivers on the run, especially the deep ball.
But what shined most was his experience. Nix has thrown more than 1,500 passes as an SEC quarterback so it’s clear he’s seen a multitude of schemes and coverages.
And let’s not forget who the Ducks face in their season opener.
Georgia!
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning will want a steady and confident leader at the helm in that very difficult road game and atmosphere.
Bo Nix is that guy,…and it’s his job to lose!
ONE-TWO PUNCH
There’s no question this Oregon offense under coordinator Kenny Dillingham will be an exciting pass-first operation come this fall.
Dillingham himself has said his goal in running his offensive scheme is to find every available mismatch and take advantage of them using his best players.
And while both the Yellow and Green teams threw the ball all over the yard Saturday afternoon ( combining for over 500 yards of aerial offense ), they also showed they’re going to have a very capable one-two punch in the backfield.
After losing Travis Dye to the transfer portal ( USC ), it wasn’t clear who would step into the RB1 and RB2 slots.
That picture became much clearer on Saturday.
Sean Dollars has the speed, toughness and vision to be an exceptional multi-use back in the Ducks offense. Dollars carried the ball 9 times for 49 yards on Saturday and showed why it was no surprise he’ll be the starter come this fall.
What was a surprise, however, was transfer RB Noah Whittington. Whittington comes to Eugene via Western Kentucky and will no doubt bring a powerful punch to the Ducks running attack. Whittington carried the ball 101 times last season for the Hilltoppers and rushed for 617 yards.
After Saturday’s performance on the Green team, ( 11 carries for 84 yards & 1 touchdown ), Whittington is almost the exact replica of Oregon legend LaMichael James. Both are smaller in stature, just 5’10, but both also carry a heavy and speedy punch in their running styles.
It’ll certainly be exciting to watch Dollars and Whittington blossom under Dillingham’s offense.
CHASE COTA – A DIFFERENCE MAKER
When UCLA receiver Chase Cota decided to transfer to Oregon, he was looked at as a stabilizing addition to a wide receivers room that didn’t have a lot of experience.
Cota has played a lot of football in Westwood and brings with him a wealth of experience.
That experience was on display Saturday catching 6 balls for 100 yards. On several occasions, Cota made exceptional catches under pressure. More importantly, he showed his ability to consistently get open and the ability to be a reliable receiver.
Standing at 6’3, Cota will be a difference-maker for the Ducks this fall and gives them an additional weapon to throw to.
POST GAME; DAN LANNING BREAKS DOWN THE SPRING GAME