Oregon Ducks outpaced James Madison Dukes 51-34 in the first College Football Playoff game at Autzen Stadium, turning a solid offensive burst into a decisive win.
Opening Fire
Less than two minutes into the game, Dante Moore launched a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson, who hauled the ball in with his right hand and dragged two defenders into the end zone. That early strike set the tone for a Ducks offense that would finish the game with four touchdown passes and one rushing score.
James Madison answered with a 30-yard field goal from Morgan Suarez on its next drive. The attempt required 15 plays and consumed 8:03 of the clock, but the score left the Dukes trailing 6-0.
Oregon then rattled off four consecutive touchdowns before Suarez added another field goal just before halftime, bringing the score to 34-6.
Second-Half Resurgence
In the third quarter, Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett III completed 23 of 48 passes, including a 47-yard touchdown to Nick DeGennaro on James Madison’s first drive of the half. The Dukes’ offense struggled to keep pace.
The Ducks responded with two more scores: Malik Benson’s second touchdown reception and a 15-yard return by Jayden Limar after a blocked punt. Despite these efforts, the Dukes scored the last three touchdowns of the game, leaving a sour taste for Lanning and the defense.
Coaching and Player Highlights
Moore reflected on the game’s flow: “The whole team understands this wasn’t our best game,” he said. “But, at the end of the day, we won the football game.” He added, “The first couple of drives were great. We executed, we knew a lot of their defensive schemes coming into this game. (Offensive coordinator Will Stein) and the offensive crew did a great job dissecting their defense. But overall, it was a great game.”
Coach Lanning’s standards were clear. “There’s a standard here,” Lanning said. “There’s certainly a standard for performance. Our players know that. They know what championship football looks like and the second half didn’t look like that.”
Moore also commented on Lanning’s coaching style: “Everyone knows how Coach Lanning is. He’s a psycho. He’s gonna push us at practice. He’s gonna put that fire under us.”
James Madison’s head coach Bob Chesney, in his final game before moving to UCLA in 2026, praised his program’s tradition: “I think that when we came in here two years ago, we knew that this was a program that was steeped in tradition and believed in itself and had a community to support it,” Chesney said. “And I think that it’s only gotten better.”
Defensive Battle
Oregon’s pass defense entered the contest ranked third in the nation in fewest yards allowed per game (144.3). Barnett’s performance nearly doubled that figure, giving the Ducks a tough test. James Madison posted the second-most passing yards against Oregon this season, second only to USC’s 330 yards on Nov 22.
The Ducks’ secondary had shown holes in recent weeks, and Texas Tech’s 10th-ranked passing offense could exploit those gaps in the Orange Bowl.
James Madison’s run defense, ranked second nationally in fewest yards per game against, struggled against a Power Four opponent. After allowing less than two total rushing yards to opponents in three of its last four games, the Dukes yielded 201 yards on the ground, including 150 before halftime.
Implications for the Orange Bowl
With the win, Oregon (12-1) advanced to face Texas Tech in the quarterfinal game at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. The Ducks’ victory marked their first playoff win since 2014, when they defeated Florida State in the Rose Bowl semifinal before falling to Ohio State.
The Ducks’ seventh straight win came after a 30-20 loss to No. 1 Indiana on Oct. 11. James Madison, meanwhile, had won 11 consecutive games before this matchup.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon’s offense, led by Dante Moore’s four touchdown passes, dominated the first half and secured a 51-34 win.
- James Madison’s offensive struggles, especially on the run, allowed Oregon to control the game’s tempo.
- The Ducks’ pass defense, despite recent holes, held James Madison’s high-scoring offense to 34 points.
The victory propels Oregon into the Orange Bowl, where they will face a Texas Tech offense that could exploit the Ducks’ secondary vulnerabilities.
Closing
The Ducks’ performance at Autzen Stadium showcases a team that can capitalize on early momentum and maintain pressure throughout the game. With key players returning from injury and a coaching staff that demands high standards, Oregon looks poised to continue its playoff run in the Orange Bowl.
