Bo Nix using Oregon's disappointing finish as motivation entering 2023 season

At the worst possible time of the season last year, the Oregon Ducks fell apart. After building up an 8-1 overall record and 6-0 mark in Pac-12 play, the Ducks lost two of their final three games to end the season at 9-3 overall and miss out on the Pac-12 Championship game. That end to the season does not sit well with quarterback Bo Nix and he plans to change things this coming season.

“I just felt like last year, we could have just finished at times better. And we know that’s something going into this year that we need to do,” Nix said. “We were in a great spot last year and then didn’t finish. This year, our goal is to go and be the best that we can be. One of my personal goals is to win a championship. So, you know, it’s something that last year we weren’t able to do and yeah, that does bother me because I feel like we had a — we were in position to do that last year. We were capable of doing it. So, this year, we’ve got to start over, go back. When we get into fall camp, get into the season, just continue to work to finish those kind of games and make that next step.”

After transferring to Oregon from Auburn, Nix found strong success once settling in for the Ducks. Nix threw for 250 yards or more in nine games played last season. He ended the year with 3,593 yards, an average of 276.3 yards per games, as well as 29 touchdowns, an average of 2.2 touchdowns per game. Perhaps more impressive was Nix’s ability to cut down on turnover issues and throw just seven interceptions on the season.

Nix looking to go out a winner

Now entering his final season, Nix knows that he wants his team to take a step forward. Nix has never been a part of a team that won 10 or more games in a season, including his days at Auburn, so hitting that mark would be special for Nix. It would also help him attain the goal he is setting for the Ducks this year.

“Championships. Any kind of championship, because championships lead to other championships,” Nix said. “I also don’t want to get ahead of myself either. But you know, win one game at a time. I don’t care about personal accolades; I don’t care about the stats. Win can win seven of six and if we win a championship, I’ll be the happiest guy in the locker room. But yeah, that’s just a goal and we have a lot of guys that have that same goal. We just want to win the most amount of games as possible.”

Nix and the Ducks will kick off the 2023 season at home on Sept. 2. Oregon will play host to Portland State, with kick time to be determined.