Bo Nix Shines in Mile High Debut

In his first game at Empower Field at Mile High for Denver, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix delighted Bronco fans by leading two scoring drives and piloting his squad to a 10-0 lead.

Nix started the game 8-9 passing for 80 yards and a touchdown. He looked confident, relaxed and was smiling throughout, a debut that cements him as the team's likely starting quarterback in his first year in the NFL.

Last year at Oregon he threw for 4508 yards and 45 TDs, leading the Ducks to a 12-2 record while finishing fourth in the Heisman voting. Picked 12th by the Broncos, so far he's operating Sean Payton's offense as well as he did Will Stein's.

It is of course only an exhibition game, but Nix's immediate command and confidence playing in the league is an eye-opener for skeptics. The "Bo only throws checkdowns" crowd is getting a big glass of shut the hell up.

Nix's continued success is great for Oregon recruiting. There can be no question about Will Stein's ability to develop quarterbacks. Certainly credit also goes to Kenny Dillingham and Bo himself, but this is not the same QB who struggled at Auburn.

He'll take some lumps in the regular year with a rebuilding team, but this is an emerging star in pro football. He processes the game, drives the football and plays with infectious joy. He's relaxed, he's having fun...