The No. 5 Oregon Ducks secured a decisive victory over the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders, winning 23-0 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals held at the Orange Bowl in Miami on January 1, 2024. This win brings Oregon one step closer to their goal of clinching the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Oregon’s defense dominated the game, recording their first shutout in playoff history. With this victory, the Ducks improved their season record to 13 wins and 1 loss, marking their third-ever playoff win and second this season. The Ducks will now advance to the semifinal round, where they are set to face either the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers or the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide on January 9, 2024, at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Impressive Defensive Performance
Freshman cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. stood out, earning the Orange Bowl’s Most Valuable Player award. Finney Jr. intercepted two passes from Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton and recovered a fumble during the match. He also recorded six tackles, contributing significantly to Oregon’s defensive success, which forced a total of four turnovers.
Oregon’s defense restricted Texas Tech—who had been averaging nearly 500 yards of offense per game—to just 206 yards. This included a notable 50-yard run by running back J’Koby Williams in the first half. Morton struggled throughout the game, completing only 18 of his 32 pass attempts, accumulating 137 yards with no touchdowns.
Linebacker Bryce Boettcher and safety Dillon Theineman led Oregon’s defense with 12 tackles each, with Theineman making a tackle for loss and Boettcher forcing a fumble. Their efforts were crucial in neutralizing Texas Tech’s potent offense.
Stagnant Offense but Key Plays
On the offensive side, Oregon faced a challenge against Texas Tech’s third-best defense. The Ducks managed to amass 309 yards of total offense, with redshirt-sophomore quarterback Dante Moore throwing for 234 yards on 26 completions out of 33 attempts, though he did not find the end zone.
The Ducks managed just two touchdowns, both scored by freshman running back Jordon Davison. Following a strip-sack by edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei in the third quarter, Davison rushed for a six-yard touchdown. With three minutes remaining and the game firmly in hand, he added another touchdown from one yard out, bringing his season total to 15.
Oregon’s ground game struggled overall, with the team accumulating only 64 rushing yards. Davison’s 42 yards on 15 carries led the Ducks, as they faced significant resistance from the Red Raiders’ defense.
As Oregon prepares for the semifinal clash, they remain focused on their pursuit of the national title. The upcoming game against either Indiana or Alabama is set to kick off at 4:30 p.m. (PT) on January 9, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Ducks can continue their impressive playoff run.
