Oregon Dominates Texas Tech in Historic Orange Bowl Shutout Victory
The Oregon Ducks are heading to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff after a dominant 23-0 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl.
This victory sets up a big showdown in the Peach Bowl, where Oregon will face either Indiana or Alabama.
The Ducks’ defense stole the spotlight, forcing four turnovers and recording four sacks.
Meanwhile, the offense, led by quarterback Dante Moore and running back Jordon Davison, managed to do just enough to get the job done.
Dominant Defensive Performance
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Oregon’s defense put on a show in the Orange Bowl, earning just the third shutout in College Football Playoff history.
The unit forced four turnovers, with cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. grabbing three of them, and held Texas Tech to only 215 total yards.
Key Defensive Players
Brandon Finney Jr. made a huge impact, intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble.
His efforts set the tone early and frustrated the Red Raiders’ offense all night.
The Ducks also racked up four sacks, constantly pressuring Texas Tech’s quarterback.
Turnover Battle
Turnovers really shaped the game. Texas Tech came in with only 14 lost turnovers all season but coughed up four against Oregon.
Quarterback Behren Morton threw two picks and completed just 18 of 32 passes for 137 yards. The Ducks’ defense took advantage of every mistake, making it nearly impossible for Texas Tech to get anything going.
Offensive Struggles and Triumphs
Oregon’s defense may have been lights out, but the offense had its own battles—especially trying to run the ball. The Ducks managed only 64 yards on 47 carries, running into a wall against Texas Tech’s front.
Still, steady play from Dante Moore and a clutch showing by kicker Atticus Sappington helped Oregon keep the scoreboard moving.
Dante Moore’s Steady Hand
Dante Moore completed 26 of 33 passes for 234 yards and had one interception.
He didn’t light it up, but he stayed calm and avoided the big mistakes that haunted Texas Tech.
Moore managed the game well and made key throws when Oregon needed them most.
Special Teams Contribution
Atticus Sappington chipped in with three field goals—hitting from 50, 39, and 43 yards out.
He did miss a 36-yarder late in the game, but his earlier kicks gave Oregon a cushion Texas Tech couldn’t overcome.
Coaching Decisions and Game Management
Head coach Dan Lanning has built a reputation for going for it on fourth down, and he didn’t change his approach in this one.
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The Ducks attempted eight fourth-down conversions and succeeded on four, keeping drives alive and Texas Tech’s defense on the field longer than they’d like.
Fourth Down Aggressiveness
Lanning’s gutsy style showed up early, with Oregon converting three fourth downs in the first half alone.
One was a trick play—punter James Ferguson-Reynolds hit linebacker Teitum Tuioti for an 11-yard gain. These bold calls didn’t always lead to points, but they definitely sent a message.
Time of Possession
The Ducks dominated the clock, holding onto the ball for 38 minutes compared to Texas Tech’s 22.
This edge wore down the Red Raiders’ defense and limited their chances to respond.
Looking Ahead: Peach Bowl Showdown
Next up, Oregon will take on either Indiana or Alabama in the Peach Bowl on January 9.
The Ducks know they need to fix some offensive line issues and get the running game going if they want to keep their title hopes alive.
Offensive Line Concerns
Oregon’s offensive line, with center Iapani Laloulu and guard Emmanuel Pregnon leading the way, has been solid most of the year.
But against Texas Tech, they struggled—Dante Moore faced constant pressure, and the running backs had little room to work with.
Offensive coordinator Will Stein even sounded surprised the line didn’t win the Joe Moore Award (it went to Iowa), and he knows improvement is a must for the semifinals.
Potential Matchups
Whether it’s Indiana or Alabama, the Ducks will have their hands full. Both opponents bring unique challenges to the table.
Oregon’s defense will need to step up again, especially since both teams can score in bunches if given the chance.
Fan Reactions
Fans are buzzing after the shutout win over Texas Tech. There’s a real sense of optimism about what this defense can do.
Some folks are even starting to believe the Ducks could go all the way, though there’s still some curiosity about how the offense will answer the call in the next round.
Fan Reactions
- Alexander H.: *I guess new money will beat newer money every time.*
- Andrew L.: *There’s a point every season where money can’t buy wins. Shutout!*
- Tongue S.: *What an absolutely monstrous defensive performance today.*
- Bryan S.: *Dante Moore will be the No. 1 pick in the draft if he declares. He’s very impressive.*
- Dan L.: *The best defense on the field was Oregon. TT had the best defense the Ducks will face and the Ducks offense outperformed them. Bring on Indiana. Revenge tour is on.*
Oregon shut out Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl. Their defense just smothered everything TT tried to do.
The offense had its moments, but the line still looked shaky at times. Dante Moore stayed calm and made the throws he needed to make.
Fourth-down aggression from the Ducks kept the pressure on. Indiana’s up next—should be interesting to see if Oregon keeps this edge.
For more detailed coverage of the game, visit the New York Times.