Oregon outlasts James Madison to advance in CFP, set for Texas Tech

Oregon defeated James Madison 51-34 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks improved to 12-1 and earned a date with Texas Tech in a CFP quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. It was Oregon’s first playoff win since 2014, when the Ducks advanced to the Rose Bowl semifinal before losing to Ohio State.

Dante Moore gave Oregon the early edge less than two minutes into the game, hitting Jamari Johnson for a 41-yard touchdown to stake the Ducks to a lead they would not relinquish. James Madison answered with a 30-yard field goal on its ensuing drive, but Oregon rattled off four straight touchdowns to extend the advantage before the Dukes added another field goal late in the second quarter to push the halftime tally to 34-6. The Ducks built a decisive edge through the middle portion of the game, though James Madison rallied late in the fourth quarter to add a flurry of scores.

In the third quarter, James Madison’s Sun Belt Player of the Year, Alonza Barnett III, completed 23 of 48 passes, including a 47-yard touchdown to Nick DeGennaro on JMU’s first drive of the period. Oregon answered with two touchdowns of its own, including Malik Benson’s second scoring catch and a blocked punt that Jayden Limar scooped up and returned 15 yards for a score. James Madison closed the gap with three consecutive touchdowns late, but the Ducks held on to secure the win.

The victory extended Oregon’s winning streak to seven games since a loss to No. 1 Indiana on Oct. 11. James Madison had entered the night riding an 11-game winning streak, a run that the Dukes would see conclude against the playoff field. Oregon, now 12-1, advances to the quarterfinals to meet Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day.