Bo Nix didn’t look like himself on Oregon's opening drive Saturday.
UCLA created some uncharacteristic pressure, resulting in a couple of incomplete passes. The Ducks managed a field goal after a false start penalty on second-and-1 derailed the drive, and the Bruins followed with an impressive drive being stalled out because of penalty issues as well.
That was as long as Nix needed to find the rhythm and efficiency he's shown throughout this now six-game winning streak, as he would go on to complete 22 of 28 passes for 283 yards, 5 TD and 0 INT, delivering as many touchdowns as incompletions until throwing the ball away on the final play of the game to simply run out the clock.
The two top-10-ranked teams came into the game with many expecting a shootout, but ultimately there was no keeping pace with the No. 10 Ducks in what ended up as a 45-30 win over the No. 9 Bruins, as Oregon improved to 6-1 (4-0 Pac-12), took sole possession of first place in the conference and handed the UCLA its first loss of the season.
It was Oregon's first win vs. a top-10 team in Autzen Stadium since an overtime win over No. 7 Washington on Oct. 13, 2018, and it came in front of a sell-out crowd of 59,962 -- the fourth-largest ever in Autzen.
The Ducks tied a program record with their 23rd straight home win, which is the third-longest active streak in the nation.
The teams traded scores through the early going for a 10-10 tie, before Nix dialed up a 49-yard touchdown strike to Troy Franklin early in the second quarter.
Instead of giving the Bruins a chance to tie it up for a third straight drive, Lanning made one of his boldest play calls all season -- an onside kick. Nothing special, just a simple 10-yard scribbler by Andrew Boyle that he ended up recovering himself.
The offense went back out there and continued to march down the field, turning that extra possession into a 2-yard Jordan James touchdown run and a 24-10 lead as the Ducks started to assert control.
The Bruins simply couldn't keep pace.
Nix turned his Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year battle with UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson into a potential Heisman campaign. He was a perfect 11-for-11 for 151 yards and 3 TDs in the second quarter alone, completed 15 straight passes overall and finished with 5 passing touchdowns for the second time this season.
The offenses were on display in an instant. UCLA deferred and was given the option to match every Ducks score. Then, Dan Lanning decided not to give the ball back to Chip Kelly’s offense in the second quarter and instead went with a 10-yard kick up the middle early that was executed perfectly by Andrew Boyle. The backup kicker looked more like a gunner as he charged the ball right after it left his foot. He grabbed his own kick and set the Ducks up for early momentum.
Another game, another dominant performance from quarterback Bo Nix. After the first drive, Nix was locked in and threw for five touchdowns. He went without a score on the ground but used his legs wisely on multiple third and fourth down conversions, completing 22 of 28 passes 283 yards, 5 TD and 0 INT.
Bryan Addison was questionable to play coming into the contest, but thankfully for Lanning's defense, he suited up. The safety was a ball hawk on Saturday, breaking up passes and intercepting Thompson-Robinson on fourth down inside the red zone. Addison, and the entire defense, contained the UCLA quarterback to the best of their ability.
The play of the game didn’t come on offense nor did it come on defense. The onside kick was the most impactful moment hands down. Lanning knew it was going to be a close contest with scoring drives plentiful on both sides. Stealing a possession early in the game helped the offense maintain its early success.
Why Oregon won the game
The Ducks won because their offense could not be stopped. No interceptions. No fumbles. And only one punt late in the fourth quarter. Oregon was able to put points on the scoreboard whenever it touched the ball, and the only negatives on that side were the penalties. Bo Nix outplayed Thompson-Robinson on Saturday and Oregon’s defense held up.
