The Tigers battled back from a 15-point deficit and a miscue-filled first half to pick up a signature win over the Ducks. True freshman quarterback Bo Nix struggled mightily in the first half but had major answers when it mattered most, delivering a go-ahead touchdown strike to Seth Williams with nine seconds remaining.

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Nix started the game 6 for 20 with two interceptions but showed far more composure and poise in the second half. He helped manufacture a scoring drive in the final moments that required a gutsy run on fourth down, a 13-yard completion to the sidelines on third-and-long and then the 26-yard touchdown to Williams with zero timeouts remaining. 

Whichever team came up empty-handed in this game was bound to look back on missed opportunities in the first half. Oregon shanked a 20-yard field goal attempt after a drop of a potential touchdown pass, and it fumbled away a red-zone opportunity after an 81-yard punt return. Those plays proved to be especially costly as the game progressed and Oregon’s offense cooled.

The only game between ranked teams on the Week 1 slate delivered in a big way. Check out Sporting News’ live updates from Auburn’s over Oregon:

Oregon vs. Auburn score

Oregon vs. Auburn updates, highlights

(All times Eastern)

Final: Auburn 27, Oregon 21

11:23 p.m.: END OF GAME. Herbert launches his last-second attempt out of the back of the endzone as Auburn survives. 

11:22 p.m.: Oregon takes a squib back to Auburn 36 and has a chance for a Hail Mary at the horn. 

11:18 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, AUBURN. Nix launches to Williams at the one-yard line and the receiver pulls his way into the endzone for the go-ahead score with 0:09 remaining. Auburn’s first lead of the game. Auburn 27, Oregon 21. 

11:18 p.m.: Nix finds Seth Williams at the Oregon 26 at the sideline and stops the clock with 0:16 left. 

11:17 p.m.: Nix launches deep to the sideline but it falls incomplete. 

11:16 p.m.: Auburn picks up a first down on the draw and the refs reset the clock. Nix spikes the ball to stop the clock.

11:15 p.m.: Spencer Nigh gets a nine-yard completion from Nix as Auburn calls timeout at the Oregon 41 with 0:31 remaining. Tigers still need more yardage to feel comfortable about a game-winning field goal attempt.

11:12 p.m.: Nix scrambles on fourth-and-3 and winds up right at the sticks as he lunges for the first down. The replay review upholds the call. First down at midfield.

11:11 p.m.: Auburn is going up-tempo and Nix tosses incomplete on the far side on third-and-3. Looked like a miss pass interference call. Tigers down to their last play. 

11:09 p.m.: Oregon tries to go underneath on a third-and-14 and Auburn was right there for the stop with just over two minutes to play. 

11:05 p.m.: Tigers go three plays and a punt to hand it back to the Ducks. Missed opportunity there for Auburn.

11:01 p.m.: Auburn stuffs Oregon’s fourth down rushing attempt and forces a turnover on downs. Tigers will have a chance to take the lead with a short field ahead.

11 p.m.: Oregon calls a timeout with Herbert back on the field and then calls another timeout as Herbert is directed back to the sidelines by the referees. Big fourth-and-one coming up for the Ducks.

10:58 p.m.: Herbert heads to the sideline after getting hit hard by an Auburn lineman. Tyler Shough checks in for Oregon.

10:43 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, AUBURN. Joey Gatewood takes a direct snap and lunges over the pile for the score. Auburn set up to go for two to potentially tie the game but after a false start, the Tigers elected to kick the extra point. Oregon 21, Auburn 20. 

10:38 p.m.: JaTarvious Whitlow picks up 31 yards on a draw and gets Auburn to the Oregon 17. Back in the redzone for the Tigers.

10:31 p.m.: Auburn pummels Oregon on a third down run and punts it back to the Tigers. 

10:28 p.m.: The Ducks aren’t fooled by an end-around and force Auburn to punt it away.

Third quarter: Oregon 21, Auburn 13

10:20 p.m.: Oregon tries to draw Auburn offsides on a 4th-and-1 near midfield but the Tigers remain disciplined. Ducks to punt. 

10:14 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, AUBURN . Tigers run a sweep for a 36-yard gain to set up Eli Stove’s 11-yard punch from Nix the following play to get Auburn into the endzone for the first time. Oregon 21, Auburn 13.

10:09 p.m.: Auburn buckles down and forces a three-and-out of its own and takes over at its own 42. 

10:03 p.m.: Two drives, two punts for Auburn in the second half. Nix is now 6-of-20 on the day with a pair of interceptions.

9:55 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, OREGON . Darrian Felix scores from six yards out on an end-around to extend Oregon’s lead on the nine-play drive. Oregon 21, Auburn 6 .

9:45 p.m.: Auburn receives the second half kickoff and immediately goes three-and-out.

Halftime stats

First downs: Oregon 10, Auburn 10 Net rushing: Oregon 77, Auburn 70 Passing: Oregon 122, Auburn 91 Total offense: Oregon 199, Auburn 161 Turnovers: Oregon 1, Auburn 2 Penalties: Oregon 5, Auburn 4

Second quarter: Oregon 14, Auburn 6

9:21 p.m.: Auburn leaves more points on the board, missing a 42-yard field goal right before halftime. 

9:14 p.m.: One big play after another. Auburn’s Christian Tutt takes a punt into Oregon territory and a late hit adds onto the huge return. The Tigers set up shop inside the Oregon 30.

9:11 p.m.: The Tigers turn it over for the second time as Nix delivers a brutally under-thrown ball and is picked off by Oregon. Nix has a pair of interceptions in his first 30 minutes of collegiate football.

9:06 p.m.: Auburn gets a three-and-out and the first sack of the game as the Tigers’ momentum continues. 

8:58 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, AUBURN. Nix tried to force a ball into coverage on third down as the incompletion set up the Auburn field goal attempt. Oregon 14, Auburn 6 .

8:56 p.m.: Now Auburn puts the ball on the ground, though the Tigers come up with this one.

8:54 p.m.: A huge swing as Herbert has a miscommunication on an option play and Auburn’s Big Kat Bryant scoops and returns the fumble to Oregon’s three-yard line.

8:53 p.m.: An 81-yard punt return by Jevon Holland places Oregon in another first-and-goal position looking to go ahead by three scores.

8:47 p.m.: The Tigers pull off a trick play by keeping their linemen still as Nix finds Sal Cannella for a 21-yard passing play. 

8:40 p.m.: Auburn forces an Oregon punt after five plays, the first defensive stop of the day by the Tigers.

8:34 p.m.: Oregon gets a massive turnover as the Ducks pick off Nix on an errant pass. Thomas Graham Jr. makes the play.

8:33 p.m.: Nix lobs it to Harold Joiner after a play fake for a 28-yard gain to get inside the Oregon redzone. 

First quarter: Oregon 14, Auburn 3

8:21 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, OREGON . Herbert scrambles on a broken play and unloads into the endzone, connecting with Spencer Webb on a beautiful jump-ball reception. Oregon 14, Auburn 3.

8:20 p.m.: Yet another big run by Oregon, this time it’s C.J. Verdell going for 37 yards off to the right and a facemask penalty added to the end of the run. The Ducks are in striking territory for the third time this quarter.

8:18 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, AUBURN . Oregon slows Auburn’s offense after two huge plays but the Tigers pick up three points on the 40-yard attempt. Oregon 7, Auburn 3.

8:15 p.m.: Auburn immediately responds as Bo Nix completes a 38-yard pass and follows it up with a 19-yard run to get within the Oregon 25.

8:14 p.m.: Camden Lewis misses a gimme from just 20 yards out as it remains a one-score game. Herbert had an open Bryan Addison in the endzone on third down but Addison dropped the pass.

8:08 p.m.: Travis Dye has a 13-yard run to again set up an Oregon first-and-goal as the Ducks look to go up two scores.

8:03 p.m.: Jevon Holland finds a hole and returns the Auburn punt into Tigers territory. The Ducks will start their second drive of the game with a short field.

8:02 p.m.: Oregon forces a three-and-out, aided by an Auburn false start penalty.

7:55 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, OREGON . C.J. Verdell muscles his way into the endzone on fourth down to take the early lead. Justin Herbert scrambled on a broken play on third down which was originally called a touchdown but was reversed after a replay review. Herbert found Johnny Johnson III for a 47-yard completion to set up first-and-goal. Oregon 7, Auburn 0.

7:34 p.m.: Even before taking his first collegiate snap, Auburn’s Bo Nix is already leaving his mark.

7:27 p.m.: Kickoff time is now set. 

6:59 p.m.: Bo Nix is making his Auburn debut eight years after watching Cam Newton bring home a title to the Tigers.