Oregon blanks Texas Tech in Orange Bowl as Ducks defense rises to occasion, leads charge into CFP semifinals

Oregon put on a defensive show against an anemic Texas Tech offense as the Ducks move on to the Peach Bowl semifinal

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Oregon dismantled Texas Tech 23-0 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, turning a matchup of two top-five offenses into a defensive clinic. The Ducks dictated terms from the opening snap, using relentless pressure on Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton to force four sacks and two interceptions -- including one deep in the red zone that all but sealed the shutout.

Texas Tech is just the third team to be shutout in a CFP game, joining Michigan State (2015) and Ohio State (2016).

Morton was under duress the entire game, finishing just 18 of 32 for 137 yards with the two picks and a strip sack. The Red Raiders managed just nine first downs.

Oregon's offense and quarterback Dante Moore weren't flashy, but they were efficient enough, converting 13 points on turnovers and controlling the clock against a stout Texas Tech defense that did everything it could to give its offense scoring opportunities. Moore completed 26 of 33 passes for 234 yards and an interception. 

Oregon's first touchdown came one play after the strip sack by Matayo Uiagalalei. Running back Jordan Davison scored his 14th rushing touchdown of the season, making it a 13-0 lead early in the third quarter and later added his 15th with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone in the closing seconds.

The Ducks advance to the CFP semifinals at the Peach Bowl to play the winner of the Rose Bowl between No. 1 Indiana and No. 9 Alabama.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 3:48 pm ET · Cody Nagel]

Dante Moore's stat line -- 26-of-33 passing for 234 yards, no touchdown passes and one interception -- tells only part of the story. While the completion rate (79%) was impressive, only five of his throws traveled 15+ yards downfield. Much of Oregon's offense was confined to short passes behind or near the line of scrimmage rather than vertical explosiveness. His lone interception came late in the third quarter, on a pressured fourth-and-2 under heat from Texas Tech standout David Bailey when he threw into the middle of the field right to linebacker Ben Roberts.

This performance will be dissected by scouts and analysts not just for its execution but for what it suggests about Moore's readiness for the NFL. With a potential top-five selection on the line in the 2026 Draft, questions about his downfield aggressiveness and pocket awareness under pressure will dominate evaluations.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 3:36 pm ET · Cody Nagel]

Through six quarterfinal games in the two-year history of the 12-team College Football Playoff format, teams that earned the first-round bye are still winless, losing by an average of 15.3 points. Texas Tech's 23-0 shutout loss to Oregon is the largest margin of defeat so far, continuing a troubling trend for teams meant to benefit from the extra rest.

The long layoff -- typically nearly a month between a conference championship and the quarterfinal -- is supposed to be a reward: time to heal, prepare and game-plan for the biggest stage. But, so far, the small sample size suggests it can be more of a curse.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 3:25 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Much was made of how the Orange Bowl featured the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country when it comes to creating plays of 20 yards or more on offense, but what was mentioned less often was how both teams were also among the best in the country at limiting explosive plays. That set up the stalemate matchup that unfolded for much of the afternoon, with neither defense allowing anything easy or explosive against the opponent. 

The difference in the game, however, was that Oregon had won games lots of different ways and didn't need explosive plays to carve a path to victory -- finishing with only four. This was a Ducks offense that played in rock fights on the road against Penn State and Iowa and was very comfortable leaning on its ground game to set a tone of physicality along the lines of scrimmage. Texas Tech, on the other hand, won 12 games by 20+ points and had never trailed by 13 points in any game until going down 13-0 in the Orange Bowl.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 3:23 pm ET · Cody Nagel]

FINAL: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0

Oregon dismantled Texas Tech 23-0 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, turning a matchup of two top-five offenses into a defensive clinic. The Ducks dictated terms from the opening snap, using relentless pressure on Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton to force four sacks and two interceptions -- including one deep in the red zone that all but sealed the shutout.

Texas Tech is just the third team to be shutout in a CFP game, joining Michigan State (2015) and Ohio State (2016).

Morton was under duress the entire game, finishing just 18 of 32 for 137 yards with the two picks and a strip sack. The Red Raiders managed just nine first downs.

Oregon's offense and quarterback Dante Moore weren't flashy, but they were efficient enough, converting 13 points on turnovers and controlling the clock against a stout Texas Tech defense that did everything it could to give its offense scoring opportunities. Moore completed 26 of 33 passes for 234 yards and an interception. 

Oregon's first touchdown came one play after the strip sack by Matayo Uiagalalei. Running back Jordan Davison scored his 14th rushing touchdown of the season, making it a 13-0 lead early in the third quarter and later added his 15th with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone in the closing seconds.

The Ducks advance to the CFP semifinals at the Peach Bowl to play the winner of the Rose Bowl between No. 1 Indiana and No. 9 Alabama.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 2:57 pm ET · Cody Nagel]

4Q: Oregon 16, Texas Tech 0

Oregon's defense is relentless. A fourth-down sack of Behren Morton -- the third of the game -- forces another turnover on downs to give the Ducks' offense the ball back at the Texas Tech 25. In a moment when the Red Raiders needed to piece together a touchdown drive, the went zero yards in four plays.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 2:53 pm ET · Cody Nagel]

4Q: Oregon 16, Texas Tech 0

Oregon stretches its two-score lead with a 43-yard field goal from Atticus Sappington. The Ducks ate up 5:55 of clock with a 10-play, 55-yard drive. Time is now a critical factor for Texas Tech, which would need two touchdowns and successful 2-point conversions to tie this up with less than eight minutes remaining.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 2:46 pm ET · Cody Nagel]

4Q: Oregon 13, Texas Tech 0

Just when it seemed like Texas Tech had an opportunity to get points on the board, Behren Morton threw his second interception of the game, this time in the red zone and again to Brandon Finney Jr.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 2:40 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

END 3Q: Oregon 13, Texas Tech 0 

The Dante Moore interception appears to have given Texas Tech's its best scoring opportunity of the game. The Red Raiders have marched down the field from their own 45-yard line and will start the fourth quarter on the 9-yard line with 1st and Goal. Prior to this drive the closest that Texas Tech had gotten to the end zone was the 35-yard line, so it's crucial that the Red Raiders cash in on this opportunity. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 2:28 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

3Q: Oregon 13, Texas Tech 0 

Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts was one of the stars of the Big 12 Championship Game and he's shown up again in a big way picking off Dante Moore on third down to set up Texas Tech's offense with good field position at 45-yard line. What was possibly a poor decision to put the ball in danger could be costly, but Texas Tech's offense needs to find some success to make Oregon pay for the mistake. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 2:10 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

3Q: Oregon 13, Texas Tech 0 

After both teams failed to do much with their first possessions of the half, Oregon's defense delivered yet another big play to help out the offense. This time it was a Matayo Uiagalalei forcing a sack fumble on Texas Tech Behren Morton that Uiagalelei himself was able to recover inside the 10-yard line. After that, Oregon flipped the ball to Jordon Davison for a six-yard touchdown run to give the Ducks first, and only, touchdown of the game. 

Texas Tech is now facing its largest deficit (13 points) of the entire season. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 1:37 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

HALFTIME: Oregon 6, Texas Tech 0 

On a down-to-down basis, Oregon has had more success than Texas Tech with more than double the yards (198-to-88), more than triple the first downs (11-to-3) and nearly triple the time of possession (21:26-to-7:57). Yet the score is only 6-0, and with Texas Tech getting the ball to start the third quarter, it is possible for the Red Raiders to flip the game on its head with one touchdown drive. 

That's a credit to Texas Tech's defense, which has been stout and particularly big in key spots. Oregon has been held to just 2 of 11 on third down, and even with sacks taken out of the equation, the Ducks are averaging just 0.9 yards per rushing attempt (with sacks it's -0.2 yards per rush). Stars like David Bailey, Ben Roberts and Lee Hunter have lived up to the reputation on a huge stage, and it's helped keep Texas Tech in this game despite a woeful offensive performance that includes two turnovers. 

Fans who wanted touchdowns between two top-10 offenses have been let down, but those who expected a close game certainly have just that as a spot in the Peach Bowl is on the line in the final 30 minutes between two of the top five teams in the country. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 1:24 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

2Q: Oregon 6, Texas Tech 0 

The Ducks bounced back from a goal line failure thanks to Texas Tech's own mistakes, recovering a Red Raiders fumble. Texas Tech's defense stood tall and forced a field goal attempt after a 4-play, 8-yard drive but the ultimate result of the turnover is Oregon extending its lead by three points. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 1:13 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

2Q: Oregon 3, Texas Tech 0 

Texas Tech comes up with another huge stop, this time on 4th and Goal from the two-yard line. It was Oregon's 5th fourth down attempt of the game, and ended the longest drive of the game for either team. 

Oregon has been aggressive throughout the first half on fourth downs, but this drive included a particularly frisky call of a fake punt near midfield. With the special teams defense spread out by a unique formation, punter James Ferguson-Reynolds took the long snap and flipped it to a pass down the sideline to keep the drive going. Unfortunately it ended with zero points, but did put Texas Tech in a tough position close to their own end zone. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 12:53 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

2Q: Oregon 3, Texas Tech 0 

After forcing a punt, Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton was picked off near the sideline for the first turnover of the game. Luckily for Morton and the Red Raiders, Oregon was not able to take advantage of the good field position and after nearly losing a fumble themselves was forced to punt it right back. Despite the change of possession, the total field position result is just a loss of 12 yards. Now the Red Raiders have a chance to redeem themselves on a key possession for this early second quarter. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 12:42 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

END 1Q: Oregon 3, Texas Tech 0 

The Red Raiders defense has certainly come up with some key plays to force field goals and get fourth-down stops, but it's not like Texas Tech is getting anything going offensively on the other side. Texas Tech has been held to a pair of three-and-outs so far in the first quarter, and with the Red Raiders' tempo, the time of possession is slanted heavily in favor of Oregon. At the end of the first quarter, Oregon's time of possession advantage is 12:05 to 2:55. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 12:36 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

1Q: Oregon 3, Texas Tech 0 

Oregon converted a 4th down near midfield to keep its offensive drive alive, but its offensive line got beat on another 4th down try deep in Texas Tech territory. Lee Hunter shed the protection to make the stop for the Red Raiders, who will take over at the 25-yard line looking to have more success than its first drive of the game, which ended in a three-and-out. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 12:18 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

1Q: Oregon 3, Texas Tech 0 

Oregon's offense was moving the ball well on its opening drive, with Dante Moore connecting on 5 of his first 6 passes. Then on 3rd and 8, Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey beat the protection and sacked Moore for a loss of 12 yards. The loss seemingly knocked Oregon out of field goal range, but Atticus Sappington boomed through a 50-yard field goal to put the Ducks on the field first. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 12:12 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

After the coin toss, it's Oregon that will receive the opening kickoff. That will give us a look at the good-on-good that is Oregon's offense going up against Texas Tech's defense. 

For those wondering at home, Texas Tech is definitely the dominant team in terms of the crowd. The Red Raiders have filled in about 70% of the lower bowl and heavy portions of the upper deck sections on the Texas Tech side. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 11:48 am ET · Chip Patterson]

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore participated fully in warm ups for the Ducks, which is a great sign considering what he can mean against one of the best defenses in the country. Moore suffered an injury prior to the Iowa game in early November, and though he played in the CFP opener against James Madison he recorded just one catch for five yards. If Moore is back to full health, his ability to stretch the field and make plays after the catch is a game-changer. 

[Jan 1, 2026 at 11:00 am ET · Chip Patterson]

Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire points to the leadership of quarterback Behren Morton as one of the keys to this Red Raiders group gelling together for a historic season. Morton has been battling through injuries most of the season and even throughout his career, yet he's still led an offense that's out-scored opponents by 20+ points 12 times this season. 

"[Behren is] the toughest player I've ever been around. There's a lot of things that he's dealt with over his career that a lot of quarterbacks around the nation didn't play, and he played," McGuire said this week. "He has such a respect in that locker room and he's got such a big voice. I feel like one thing about this team, putting this team together, this is as healthy of a locker room as I've ever been a part of. The care factor in that locker room is so high, and he's been such a -- he's been the force behind it.

"I asked him to really step out and cross over to the other side of the ball and bring Lee Hunter into what it means to be a Red Raider. David Bailey, Romello Height, he was the leader in bringing this team so close together."

[Jan 1, 2026 at 10:45 am ET · Chip Patterson]

One storyline from for the Ducks is the fact that both offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi have accepted head coaching offers for 2026. Stein has been named the new head coach at Kentucky and Lupoi at his alma mater, Cal. They have been preparing for the Orange Bowl while also working on assembling their staff and plan for the upcoming season elsewhere, but these kind of stresses are nothing new to Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, who helped Georgia win a national championship as a defensive coordinator after being named the head coach of the Ducks. 

"I remember -- this is kind of sentimental for me. Leaving Georgia, I went through kind of the same process. The hotel we're staying in this week, I remember hiring my strength coach, Wilson Love, in that hotel. I remember reaching out to coaches on staff and hiring them during this same process in the Orange Bowl when I was at Georgia, so it's kind of a full-circle moment to see them going through the same things," Lanning said on Wednesday.

"These guys have worked really hard. They've earned it. I'm excited about their opportunities, and I'm excited about the opportunity to grow through our teams. When there's transition, there's opportunities for new ideas. There's opportunities for us to continue to grow."

[Jan 1, 2026 at 10:30 am ET · Chip Patterson]

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore could have an NFL Draft decision in his future, but first he's got an opportunity to extend what's been a stellar first season as the Ducks' starter. The one-time Oregon commit who started his career at UCLA before transferring back, Moore spent last season backing up Dillon Gabriel before assuming the starter's role in the offseason. Heading into the Orange Bowl, Moore is tied for No. 3 nationally in completion percentage (72.4), fifth nationally in passer rating (170.08) and tied for seventh with 28 touchdown passes on the year. He was locked in during Oregon's CFP opener, completing 19-of-27 passes for a career-high 313 yards and four touchdowns in the 51-34 win, showing no rust from the layoff heading into the postseason.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 10:15 am ET · Chip Patterson]

The Orange Bowl may feature two of the top defenses in the land, but those groups will be tested by two of the most explosive offenses around. Oregon leads the nation with 91 plays of 20-plus yards this season, but Texas Tech is right on their heels ranking second with 90. The skill talent on both teams is capable of turning ordinary plays into extraordinary gains, making it key for both of those elite defenses to be dialed in on every detail.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 10:00 am ET · Chip Patterson]

The Red Raiders have outscored their opponents 555-142 overall, boasting an FBS-best +31.5 average point differential. And this is not a season that has been skewed by one or two blowouts and a handful of nail-biters along the way. Each of Texas Tech's 12 victories have come by at least 20 points, making this year's group just the fifth team in the AP poll era (since 1936) to record 12 or more wins by 20-plus points. The 2018 Clemson Tigers hold the record with 13 wins by 20+ points, the Red Raiders have tied themselves with 1971 Nebraska, 2013 Florida State and 2018 Alabama as teams to win by 20 points or more a dozen times.

[Jan 1, 2026 at 9:45 am ET · Chip Patterson]

A humble prediction from yours truly ... 

This game sets up to be a chess match throughout the afternoon, with both Oregon and Texas Tech looking to set up and eventually execute explosive plays against elite defenses. It's a chess match that will be fascinating to watch play out and likely set up a close game deep into the second half. It's just at some point we're going to need a quarterback to make a game-saving or game-winning play and right now I'd rather side with Dante Moore in that discussion. He's made some huge throws late in games this season and I like his odds more to be able and do so again.  Pick: Oregon -2.5