The big story heading into Wednesday’s Holiday Bowl matchup between the Oregon Ducks and North Carolina Tar Heels is the health of star quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix suffered an ankle injury against the Washington Huskies back in mid-November, and the injury ultimately hampered him significantly in Oregon’s narrow win over Utah and gut-wrenching loss in Eugene against Oregon State to close out the regular season.
Nix had almost exactly a month to physically prepare for this game, and he’s locked in after making the announcement to return to the Ducks for the 2023 season.
Coach Dan Lanning spoke to reporters on Tuesday and offered a very optimistic look at Nix’s status going into tomorrow’s game:
“I certainly think he feels a lot better than he did at the end of the season,” Lanning said. “I expect him to play some of his best football.”
Lanning on the health of Bo Nix entering tomorrow's game: "I certainly think he feels a lot better than he did at the end of the season. I expect him to play some of his best football." #GoDucks
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) December 27, 2022
Nix was a revelation for the Ducks this year, throwing for 3,388 yards and 27 touchdowns, along with just six interceptions.
His 71.5% completion rate was tops in the Pac-12 and second in the entire NCAA, and he helped keep the Ducks in contention for a spot in the CFP before a few brutal games down the stretch sent the Ducks to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl.
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