The Oregon Ducks delivered one of the most authoritative performances of the College Football Playoff era Thursday night, shutting out the Texas Tech Red Raiders 23–0 in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.
Behind a relentless defensive effort and a poised showing from quarterback Dante Moore, Oregon controlled the game from start to finish in the CFP quarterfinal, earning a berth in the national semifinals and reinforcing its reputation as one of the nation’s most complete teams.
The Ducks improved to 13–1 with the victory, while Texas Tech, making its first College Football Playoff appearance, finished its season at 11–3.
From the opening kickoff, Oregon set a physical tone. The Ducks’ defense smothered Texas Tech’s high-powered offense, limiting the Red Raiders to minimal yardage and repeatedly winning battles at the line of scrimmage. Oregon struck first midway through the opening quarter when kicker Atticus Sappington connected on a 50-yard field goal to give the Ducks a 3–0 lead.
The second quarter followed a similar script. Texas Tech struggled to sustain drives against Oregon’s disciplined coverage and constant pressure, while Moore methodically moved the Ducks down the field. Sappington added a second field goal late in the half, sending Oregon into the locker room with a 6–0 advantage that felt more decisive than the score indicated.
Any hope of a Texas Tech rally faded quickly in the third quarter. Oregon’s defense delivered the game’s defining moment when edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei forced a strip sack deep in Red Raiders territory. The takeaway set up a short field, and running back Jordon Davison capitalized with a touchdown run that extended the lead to 13–0 and energized the Oregon sideline.
Texas Tech never found an answer. Oregon continued to dominate time of possession and field position, wearing down the Red Raiders with sustained drives and a defense that refused to allow explosive plays. Early in the fourth quarter, Sappington added his third field goal of the night to make it 16–0.
Davison put the finishing touches on the victory in the final minute, powering into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown to complete the 23–0 shutout, the first in the Orange Bowl since 2006.
Moore delivered a calm and efficient performance, completing 26 of 33 passes for 234 yards while avoiding turnovers. While Oregon’s offense was not flashy, it consistently made the plays necessary to complement a defense that forced multiple turnovers and never allowed Texas Tech to establish rhythm.
For the Red Raiders, the loss was a sobering end to an otherwise historic season. Texas Tech entered the game averaging more than 35 points per contest but was held scoreless for the first time in more than a decade.
The victory sends Oregon to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where the Ducks will face No. 1 Indiana in the Peach Bowl with a spot in the national championship game at stake. Head coach Dan Lanning praised his team’s discipline and physicality afterward, calling the shutout a defining performance.
On a New Year’s Day stage rich with tradition, Oregon delivered a statement win built on defense, composure, and control, moving one step closer to a national title.
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