"It was the first possession of the second half, and Bo Nix threw a check-down to a receiver. Not abnormal by any stretch. The issue? It was 3rd and 12, and Oregon was down 22-18."
Isn't that what QBs are taught to do, if the downfield receivers are covered? I do not remember how much time Bo had on this particular play, perhaps he could have extended the play with his legs, but what would people have said, if he forced a throw downfield that was intercepted?
I agree that the calls on 4th and short were terrible. If you are going to throw for it, you better have a great play design to get someone wide open. Chip Kelly was successful going for it on 4th down due to play design and execution. We saw neither yesterday.