MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — On Jan. 1, 2026, Oregon shut out Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff, a defensive performance that delivered the Ducks into the Peach Bowl semifinal. Oregon’s front produced relentless pressure, recording four sacks and forcing two interceptions plus a strip‑fumble that led directly to points. Quarterback Dante Moore managed the game efficiently (26‑of‑33 for 234 yards) while Texas Tech’s Behren Morton finished 18‑of‑32 for 137 yards with two picks and a strip sack. The Ducks convert turnovers into 13 points and advanced to face the winner of the Rose Bowl between No. 1 Indiana and No. 9 Alabama.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0 — the Red Raiders became the third team ever shut out in a CFP game, after Michigan State (2015) and Ohio State (2016).
- Defensive dominance: Oregon recorded four sacks and forced two interceptions plus a strip‑fumble, turning those turnovers into 13 points.
- Quarterback lines: Dante Moore completed 26 of 33 passes for 234 yards and one interception; Behren Morton was 18 of 32 for 137 yards with two interceptions and a strip sack.
- Offensive scarcity: Texas Tech managed only nine first downs and struggled to sustain drives throughout the game.
- Scoring details: Jordan Davison scored his 14th rushing TD of the season to make it 13‑0 early in the third and added a 1‑yard touchdown late for his 15th.
- Special teams: Atticus Sappington converted a 50‑yard field goal earlier and later added a 43‑yard attempt as Oregon extended its lead.
- CFP context: Oregon advances to the Peach Bowl semifinal to play the Rose Bowl winner (No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama).
Background
The Orange Bowl pitted two of the most explosive offenses in the nation on paper — Oregon led the country in plays of 20+ yards while Texas Tech ranked second — but both teams also entered with defenses capable of limiting big plays. Throughout the season Oregon showed versatility, winning both through explosiveness and in low‑space, physical games on the ground and at the line of scrimmage. Texas Tech arrived with a historic margin of victory (outscoring opponents 555–142) and twelve wins by 20+ points, a rare level of dominance in modern FBS play.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning and his staff prepared for the quarterfinal amid reported coaching transitions, with both coordinators having accepted head coach offers elsewhere. The Ducks managed those distractions while emphasizing defensive continuity and situational football. Texas Tech, led by quarterback Behren Morton, had relied on a high‑tempo attack all season but entered Miami Gardens facing a front that had repeatedly disrupted passing games at the line.
Main Event
Oregon set the tone early with sustained pressure on Morton from the opening snap, converting quarterback disruptions into turnovers and stalled drives for the Red Raiders. The Ducks’ first points came from a 50‑yard field goal by Atticus Sappington after a drive interrupted by a sack from David Bailey for Texas Tech. Despite several fourth‑down aggressions by Oregon — including a fake punt earlier in the game — Texas Tech’s defense held in key moments to keep the score close through halftime.
The second half swung decisively when Matayo Uiagalelei forced a strip on Morton inside the red zone and recovered near the 10, setting up a Jordan Davison six‑yard touchdown one play later. Oregon added a field goal and later Davison’s 1‑yard plunge in the closing seconds to seal the 23‑0 result. Morton was under near‑constant duress: the Red Raiders finished with just nine first downs and relied on a few third‑quarter drives that ultimately stalled in the face of Oregon’s coverage and pass rush.
Dante Moore’s day was efficient rather than explosive: a 79% completion rate and 234 yards, but only a handful of throws traveled 15+ yards. Oregon’s offense complemented the defense by controlling the clock on several longer drives and avoiding the mistakes that plagued Texas Tech. The combination of turnovers, field‑position swings and timely defensive stops defined the Ducks’ route to the semifinal.
Analysis & Implications
On the surface this was a defensive clinic — Oregon neutralized a top‑two big‑play offense with a mix of pressure and disciplined coverage. The Ducks showed that they can win games without needing vertical fireworks; their ability to play physical football and grind in the trenches will be valuable against the Rose Bowl winner, especially if that opponent relies on tempo and chunk plays. For Oregon’s staff, the victory validates a defensive identity that can carry into postseason matchups.
For Texas Tech, the result exposes a vulnerability: an elite, high‑scoring attack that can be suffocated when its quarterback is pressured and its depth runs into a team that wins the line battle. The Red Raiders’ season was historically dominant by margin of victory, but Miami Gardens highlighted how matchup‑dependent even prolific offenses can be against disciplined, disruptive units. Expect Texas Tech to reemphasize pass‑protection schemes and third‑down creativity in offseason evaluations.
On Dante Moore’s NFL prospects, the game offers a mixed tape: elite accuracy and efficiency balanced against questions about downfield aggressiveness and handling pressure. Scouts will weigh the high completion percentage (79%) against his limited vertical attempts and an interception on a pressured fourth‑and‑2. Those evaluations remain projections, but a controlled, game‑management performance in a CFP quarterfinal is an important data point for draft boards.
Comparison & Data
| Category | Oregon | Texas Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 23 | 0 |
| QB passing (Comp‑Att) | Moore 26‑33 | Morton 18‑32 |
| Passing yards | 234 | 137 |
| Sacks (team) | 4 (Oregon pressure) | |
| Turnovers forced | 2 INTs, 1 forced fumble | |
| First downs | — | 9 |
The table highlights the decisive factors: pressure metrics and turnovers, rather than total offensive yardage, drove the outcome. Texas Tech’s usual first‑half tempo was stymied by Oregon’s defensive fronts, while the Ducks did enough on offense to convert short fields and control clock when needed.
Reactions & Quotes
“[Behren] is the toughest player I’ve been around… he’s been the force behind it,”
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech head coach (paraphrased)
McGuire praised Morton’s leadership despite the loss, emphasizing the quarterback’s resilience and locker‑room influence coming into the postseason.
“These guys have earned it. I’m excited about their opportunities,”
Dan Lanning, Oregon head coach (paraphrased)
Lanning reflected on staff transitions ahead of the game and framed the victory as a product of sustained preparation and adaptability amid coaching moves.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Moore’s limited downfield aggression in this game will materially lower his projected top‑five draft slot — evaluations remain ongoing and will incorporate combine/meetings.
- The so‑called “first‑round bye curse” in the 12‑team CFP is based on a small sample size and may not indicate a persistent trend.
Bottom Line
Oregon’s 23‑0 win was defined by defense: pressure, turnover creation and situational play that converted opponents’ mistakes into points. The shutout is rare in CFP history and underscores how a complementary defense can neutralize even the most dangerous offenses.
As the Ducks turn toward the Peach Bowl semifinal, the matchup will test whether their defensive approach can handle a Rose Bowl winner that may present different schematic challenges. For Texas Tech, the loss will prompt a close offseason review of pass protection, third‑down execution and ways to avoid letting pressure determine the game’s outcome.
Sources
- CBS Sports — media report and live updates
- College Football Playoff — official organization and postseason information
- University of Oregon Athletics — official team site and game recap