Bo Nix was the consummate leader after a crushing loss.

The eighth-ranked Ducks lost 36-33 to the seventh-ranked Washington Huskies on the road on Saturday. It’s a second consecutive three-point defeat in the series for Oregon, and it once again came in excruciating fashion.

Oregon had a chance at the end to tie the game and force overtime, but a 43-yard field goal from Camden Lewis sailed just wide. Coach Dan Lanning said the game never should have gotten to that point, and he’s probably right.

Oregon turned down field goals twice inside the Washington 10. It missed tackles and let UW push the ball down the field. Nix missed throws Oregon needed him to hit, even though he was otherwise exceptional in the second half.

Lanning put the game on his shoulders after the game. Nix told reporters the loss has to be a learning experience for the Ducks, and he believes they still have everything in front of them.

“This group is going to be able to write its own story, write its own journey. I think if it was easy, everybody would do it. If there were no failures, everybody would be playing football,” Nix said. “It’s part of it. You win and lose, you go out there and play your best, you go out there and enjoy the process.

“Even though I hated the outcome of today, it was one heck of a football game that I loved playing. I’ll lose with those guys any day because I know what they’ve put into it.”

Oregon can still punch a ticket to the Pac-12 title game. It could even meet Washington in Las Vegas for a rematch. With the Pac-12 ditching divisions, the Ducks can stay in the title picture if they win out. They’ll face Utah in Salt Lake City and host USC.

“We absolutely control our destiny,” Lanning said. “If we win out, then we’re going to put ourselves in a situation to be able to play for exactly what we think we should play for.”

Lanning said the Ducks are hungry for success. Nix wasn’t phased by the aggressive play-calling in spots that came back to burn the Ducks.

The messaging from Oregon after the game was that this Ducks team is built to respond to this moment.

“If you watched the game, it was clear that we responded. It was clear that we attacked it head-on,” Nix said. “We were a play away from this conversation being extremely different.”

Oregon returns home next weekend to face Washington State. A win for the Ducks and things are right back on track.

“You go out there and you do your best to win the game. Sometimes you lose, and that’s part of it. I’m proud to be an Oregon Duck. I’m proud to be here. I’m proud to play with this locker room. I’m proud to play for these coaches. It means a lot to me, and I’m not going to quit on them and I know they’re not going to quit on me.

“I know we have a lot to play for as the season goes on. I think it’s a challenge I’m built for.”