On this day 24 years ago, Jordan Nixon ’88 scored the game-winning touchdown in Augustana College’s 38-35 victory over Illinois Wesleyan in the conference championship.
Augustana appeared to be on the verge of losing the title after being stymied at the one-yard line on a fourth-and-goal attempt from the three-yard line, but Illinois Wesleyan fumbled on their own eight-yard line with 2:08 remaining, setting up Augustana’s winning score. It would not be an easy one.
With just 47 seconds remaining and the Vikings trailing, Nixon made a sliding catch in the back of a rain-slicked end zone on 4th-and-goal to give Augustana its tenth CCIW title in eleven years. It was Nixon’s third touchdown of the day to go along with a 26-yard reception and a 41-yard punt return.
In 1991 Nixon led the NCAA’s Division III in punt returns with a 17.5 yard return average, recording 473 yards on 27 punt returns. He was also Augustana’s leading receiver during the 1991 campaign in which they finished 8-1.
Nixon was also a three-year starter on the Vikings’ baseball team. He was the team MVP in 1991 and 1992 and finished his senior season with a .394 batting average. He closed his career as the school record holder in career batting average (.391).
After a sensational two-sport career for the Vikings, Nixon was inducted into the Augustana Hall of Fame.
While at Stony Brook, Nixon was a three-sport force. His all-around play on the gridiron, the hardwood, and the diamond earned him the Vanderveer Award, the Boys’ Basketball Award, and the Swanson Baseball Award in 1988.
It was on the baseball field that he perhaps shined brightest for the Brook, building a reputation for masterful pitching. On May 14, 1986 he threw a three-hitter against Greenport in a 14-3 win for the Shrikes. On April 23, 1987 he pitched the game of his life, no-hitting Eastport in a 10-1 win over the Ducks, tossing 11 strikeouts and stealing home for good measure. His potency extended past the mound and on April 11, 1987 he capped a three-run 7th inning comeback for the Brook with a walk-off single against Eastport. It was Nixon’s versatility that helped the Shrikes win the 1987 County Title.
Nixon was inducted into Stony Brook’s Hall of Fame in 1997.
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