Dan Lanning addresses Bo Nix's health, how time off helped Oregon QB

Bo Nix was banged up towards the end of the season, but he’s ready to go regardless for Oregon’s Holiday Bowl matchup against North Carolina. Head coach Dan Lanning acknowledged Nix, like other Ducks, were suffering from knicks and bruises, and perhaps other minor injuries down the stretch.

But with a bowl game, there’s a longer stretch of time in between games, giving both teams plenty of time to prepare, rest and recover. Lanning practically treated it like going into next season for Nix and company.

“In a lot of ways this is the crescendo to a season, but also the beginning of next season,” Lanning said this week. “I think every one of our players — when you play at the end of the season, you play long seasons like we play, there’s a lot of guys that are banged up.

“Having that opportunity to get fresh and be fresh is really the charge that we have as coaches of making sure our players are able to make it to this bowl game and be able to play at full strength, but also challenge ourselves. Coach mentioned it. We see this as 15 more — it’s like another spring practice, right? It’s another window to really improve your team.”

Lanning then doubled down on Nix getting ready to play his best football against the Tar Heels. 

“The challenge is finding guys like Bo that have great experience and making sure they make it to the game healthy and ready to play, but I certainly think he feels a lot better than he did at the end of the season,” Lanning said. “I expect to see him play some of his best football.”

Nix had the best statistical season of his career after three years at Auburn. In 12 games, Nix had 3,388 yards, 27 touchdowns, six interceptions, a 71.5% completion percentage,  504 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.

“Yeah, I had no idea what was gonna happen when I first got here,” Nix said. “If I had gone back a year from today and looked at my situation, I’ve come a long way and so just that in general the whole situation’s changed and I’ve just put myself in a good situation. So, I’ve got a lot of different things to choose from.”

After deciding to return to Oregon for the 2023 season, Nix also decided to play in the Holiday Bowl instead of opting out to protect himself.

“That [decision] was kind of easy for me,” Nix said. “I just really enjoy playing football, enjoy playing for Oregon. I enjoy playing for Lanning. So, anytime I have that opportunity, I’m gonna make the most of it.”