Ducks outlast James Madison, advance to CFP quarterfinals with 51-34 win

Oregon defeated James Madison 51-34 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. The Ducks (12-1) advance to a quarterfinal against Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. It was Oregon’s first playoff win since 2014, when the Ducks beat Florida State in the Rose Bowl semifinal before losing to Ohio State.

Dante Moore gave Oregon a quick cushion, connecting with Jamari Johnson for a 41-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game. James Madison answered with a 30-yard field goal after a 15-play, 8:03 drive. The Ducks rattled off four straight touchdowns to build a large lead, then James Madison added a field goal just before halftime to trim the gap to 34-6.

In the third quarter, Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett III directed a James Madison drive that culminated in a 47-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro on the Dukes’ first series of the period. Oregon answered with two more touchdowns and a blocked punt that Jayden Limar scooped and returned 15 yards for a score, pushing the lead to 48-13 midway through the third quarter. James Madison finished with three fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Ducks’ margin narrowed late, but Oregon continued to lead for the remainder of the game. A 56-yard scoring run by Dierre Hill Jr. highlighted Oregon’s ground game during the contest.

Oregon’s win extended the Ducks’ win streak to seven games since a loss to No. 1 Indiana on Oct. 11, while James Madison had entered the game riding an 11-game run. The Dukes, a Group of Five program, fell to 0-4 in CFP appearances against Power Five opponents.

The Ducks will face Texas Tech in a CFP quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, continuing their pursuit of a national championship. The Associated Press contributed to this report.