Three takeaways from Auburn's stunning comeback defeat of Oregon
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Bo Nix was shaky in his debut – right until it absolutely mattered. And then, Auburn’s true freshman quarterback threw his way into legend status. Nix’s 26-yard pass to Seth Williams with 9 seconds left gave the Tigers a somewhat improbable victory against Oregon, prompting chants of “SEC! SEC! SEC!” from their fans.
But in the marquee matchup of the opening weekend, neither team looked the part of a contender for the College Football Playoff. Auburn’s escape won’t inspire confidence that the Tigers are ready for a run through the SEC West. But the result looked and felt familiar to Oregon and the Pac-12.
Auburn players celebrate after the Tigers defeated Oregon in the final seconds at AT&T Stadium. (Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
Auburn eventually wore down Oregon in the trenches, rallying from a 21-6 deficit behind tough running from JaTarvious Whitlow. After a slow start, Auburn’s defense slowed, then largely shut down Oregon’s offense and star quarterback Justin Herbert.
Here are three takeaways from No. 16 Auburn’s 27-21 win against No. 13 Oregon:
1. Nix, who became the first true freshman to start a season as Auburn’s quarterback since 1946, didn’t have a great night until the very end. He was 13-of-31 for 177 yards, with two interceptions – including a couple of critical errors. For much of the night he seemed, well, like a true freshman making his first start in his first game.
In part because of Nix’s struggles, Auburn went to the run game in the second half and gradually wore down Oregon’s defense. But with time running out and the Tigers trying to get into field-goal range, the Tigers needed Nix to come through. In the final seconds, he did. First he connected with Williams on a crossing route for 13 yards on third-and-10. And then on the next play, he hit Williams near the goal line. Williams beat Oregon defensive back Verone McKinley for the ball and the score.
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“He has some savviness to him, there’s no doubt,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said of Nix. “His first start against one of the better teams in the country, he did some really good things. … When the game was on the line, he found a way to win.”
2. That Auburn defense? Yeah. It’s as good as advertised. Oregon had success early but was largely shut down in the second half. The Ducks could not run (90 yards on 33 attempts, an average of 2.7 yards) on the Tigers. And although Justin Herbert was 28-of-37 for 242 yards, he had only one touchdown; Oregon, which was missing several receivers because of injury, wasn’t able to establish a consistent downfield passing game.
Leading 21-20 with less than six minutes left, Oregon faced fourth-and-inches, but Auburn’s defensive line swallowed up running back CJ Verdell. Linebacker Zacoby McClain and defensive tackle Tyrone Truesdell combined to stuff Verdell.
“Tough, really tough one,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said of the loss.
3. It’s clear Herbert has all the tools. You knew this, probably – but Oregon’s senior quarterback showed off the skills that have NFL scouts salivating. Herbert has a gunslinger’s mentality and – at every bit of 6-6 and 237 pounds, with a very strong right arm – the talent to execute it. On a 20-yard touchdown throw late in the first quarter, Herbert rolled left, backed up against pressure – and then stepped into a crisp 35-yard throw across the field into the end zone, where tight end Spencer Webb (6-6, 246) was matched up with Auburn cornerback Javaris Davis (5-10, 180). Whether it should have been thrown or not, Webb won the jump ball.
Herbert can move, too. Herbert was called down short of the goal line on the Ducks’ first possession (they scored on the next play), but the 3 1/2-yard run featured quickness and athletic ability that belies that big frame.
Herbert went down in the fourth quarter with what looked for a moment like a knee injury, but returned to the game and seemed OK.
Contributing: Associated Press
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