At a Glance
- Oregon Ducks shut out Texas Tech 23-0 in the CFP quarterfinal.
- Defensive stars Matayo Uiagalelei and Brandon Finney Jr. piled up takeaways.
- Oregon will face either Indiana or Alabama in the Peach Bowl, a CFP semifinal.
- Why it matters: The win keeps Oregon’s playoff hopes alive and sets up a showdown for a chance to play for the national title.
After a thunderous reception in Miami Gardens, Oregon’s defense delivered a flawless performance, stifling Texas Tech’s high-scoring offense and securing a 23-0 victory in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
The Game
Oregon’s offense moved 234 yards as Jordon Davison rushed for two touchdowns, Dante Moore completed passes for 234 yards, and Atticus Sappington nailed three field goals for a 13-1 record. The defense forced four turnovers, including a fumble by Behren Morton and an interception by Matayo Uiagalelei. The Ducks’ shutout was the first against an AP-ranked opponent since 2012.
- Turnovers forced: 4 (2 interceptions, 2 fumbles)
- Oregon points: 23
- Texas Tech points: 0
- Oregon record: 13-1
Dan Lanning stated:
> “They’ve earned this opportunity… I told them go get their pound of flesh today. They did that today.”
Brandon Finney Jr. added:
> “I believe we have the best defense in the country.”
Joey McGuire said:
> “Texas Tech fans, I’m sorry that we let you down… Hats off to Dan Lanning.”
Behren Morton reflected:
> “We had a great game plan… we just didn’t execute base plays.”
Impact & Takeaways
The win keeps Oregon in the playoff conversation and forces the Ducks to return home to Eugene instead of staying in the Eastern time zone for the Peach Bowl. Texas Tech’s offense, which averaged 42.5 points and 480.3 yards per game, was stifled by a defense that forced four turnovers and held the Red Raiders to a single interception.
| Team | Points | Record | Points per Game | Yards per Game | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 23 | 13-1 | – | – | 4 |
| Texas Tech | 0 | 12-2 | 42.5 | 480.3 | 4 |
The game highlighted a pattern where teams with a first-round bye lose in the quarterfinals, as seen in six of the six matchups this season.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon’s defense remains the best in the country, shutting out a top-10 opponent.
- Texas Tech’s high-scoring offense was neutralized, ending a 26-of-27-game streak of scoring at least 10 before halftime.
- The Ducks will face the winner of Indiana vs. Alabama in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.
The Ducks’ victory sets the stage for a potential national title run, with the Peach Bowl winner returning to Miami Gardens for the championship game on Jan. 19.
