OREGON 14/0/7/0 - 21
AUBURN 3/3/7/14 - 27
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - The season opener in 2019 brought back painful memories for Duck fans as once again a late-game play dramatically turned the tide in favor of the Tigers, this time it was a 26-yard touchdown pass from true freshman Bo Nix to receiver Seth Williams with nine seconds left in the game.
The Oregon Ducks played the Auburn Tigers for the second time in history; the first time was in the 2011 National Championship game, a hard-fought contest that ended in heartbreak for the Ducks as running back Michael Dyer was not ruled down on a tackle, resulting in a 37-yard run that set up a short field goal for the 22-19 victory for Cam Newton and the Tigers.
Before the season began, the unit of most concern for the Ducks was wide receiver. Dillon Mitchell set a single-season program record the year before, but with his departure to the NFL Oregon was left with a receiving corps that was previously plagued by drops and heavily reliant on fresh faces due to four of the most promising pass-catchers (freshman Mycah Pittman, senior Brenden Schooler, tight end Cam McCormick and grad-transfer Juwan Johnson) being sidelined for the opener due to preseason injuries.
The troubles at receiver made themselves known early as coach Cristobal was forced to call a timeout before the first play of the game to help align his players, but senior quarterback Justin Herbert was able to put together an 11-play, 74-yard touchdown drive due in large part to a 47-yard completion to junior Johnny Johnson III. The opening drive concluded with a one-yard CJ Verdell rushing touchdown, and at the end of the half Oregon led 14 to 6 thanks to a ferocious touchdown catch by Spencer Webb and Andy Avalos’ new stifling defense.
However, despite leading 21 to 6 after a Darrian Felix six-yard rushing score with 9:23 left in the third, Oregon allowed 21 unanswered points from Auburn in the second half: junior wide receiver Eli Stove picked up 36 yards on the ground and then 11 through the air for the Tiger’s first touchdown, then backup quarterback Joey Gatewood capped off an 8-play, 69-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run that made the score 21 to 20 in Oregon’s favor. Then, the Ducks failed to convert on fourth-and-1 at midfield with 5:30 left in the game which energized the Tigers for their late-game touchdown led by freshman Bo Nix.
Justin Herbert had an opportunity on the go-ahead score, but the senior quarterback sent the Hail Mary soaring over the head of Johnny Johnson III. It was a painful loss for a team desperate to exact revenge for the loss in the National Championship, but the competitive matchup against an SEC powerhouse earned the Ducks some early season credibility.
“The most important thing I need to ask you… is, can’t I count on you?… Because stuff like this either rips you apart, or brings you together.” - Mario Cristobal to his team after the loss.
Oregon Offense (total: 332 - pass: 242 - rush: 90)
Auburn Offense (total: 383 - pass: 177 - rush: 206)
Oregon Defense (forced turnovers: 2 - INT: 2)
Auburn Defense (forced turnovers: 1 - FUM: 1)
UO (0-1) AU (1-0)