The lights were bright in Eugene on Saturday night. The crowd was loud, and history was in the air. Oregon Ducks hosted their first-ever College Football Playoff game at Autzen Stadium. They faced James Madison Dukes in a first-round matchup. By the end of the night, Oregon walked away with a 51–34 win. However, the game told a deeper story than the final score.
Oregon entered the game as the No. 5 seed. James Madison came in at No. 12. From the start, the Ducks showed why they were favored. They played fast, aggressive, and confident. Still, the second half reminded everyone that playoff football leaves little room for comfort.
Oregon sets the tone early
Oregon wasted no time on offense. Quarterback Dante Moore led a sharp opening drive. He capped it with a one-handed touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson. The two-point try failed, but Oregon took a quick 6–0 lead. James Madison answered with a field goal, but Oregon stayed in control.
As the first quarter moved on, the Ducks found their rhythm. Freshman running back Dierre Hill Jr. broke free for a long run that flipped the field. Moore then kept the ball himself and scored. That made it 13–3, and the home crowd could feel momentum building.
A dominant first half
Oregon kept pushing in the second quarter. Hill Jr. scored on a 56-yard run, which stretched the lead to 20–3. The Ducks did not slow down. Wide receivers Jeremiah McClellan and Malik Benson each found the end zone. With every score, Autzen Stadium grew louder.
By halftime, Oregon had built a massive lead. The Ducks outgained James Madison by a wide margin. They scored touchdowns on nearly every drive. Meanwhile, the defense limited big plays and forced field goals instead of touchdowns. At the break, Oregon looked fully in command.
James Madison fights back
The second half changed the feel of the game. James Madison came out with energy and purpose. They scored on their opening drive of the third quarter. That score gave them belief, and they kept pushing. However, Oregon answered again.
Benson caught his second touchdown pass of the night to make it 41–13. Later in the quarter, a blocked punt changed the moment. Blake Purchase got through the line, and Jayden Limar recovered the ball for a touchdown. The score moved to 48–13, and it looked like the game was over.
#5 Oregon beats #12 James Madison 51-34 to advance to the CFP quarterfinals 🔥
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) December 21, 2025
The Ducks win their first CFP game since 2014 and will face Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl. pic.twitter.com/fWlzwRPPRp
Still, James Madison refused to quit. They scored four touchdowns in the second half. Their offense gained yards and found space. Oregon allowed more plays than they wanted. As a result, the Ducks gave up 28 second-half points. The lead was safe, but the performance raised concerns.
Players and coaches react
After the game, the mood inside Oregon’s locker room was calm but serious. Head coach Dan Lanning spoke about standards. He said championship teams must play four full quarters. The second half, he admitted, did not meet that level.
Moore echoed that feeling. He threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for another score. Still, he said the team knows it can be better. Benson, who had over 100 receiving yards, said the locker room felt quiet. The players were happy to advance, but they knew improvement was needed.
What comes next for Oregon
With the win, Oregon improved to 12–1. They now move on to the quarterfinals. Their next game will be against Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day. That game will bring a new challenge and a neutral-field test.
The Ducks showed how dangerous they can be when everything clicks. At the same time, the second half showed where growth is needed. In the playoff, every mistake matters more.
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Finally you read the last moment
Oregon earned its spot in the next round with a strong 51–34 win. The first half showed elite offense and sharp execution. The second half served as a reminder that focus must last all game. As the Ducks prepare for the Orange Bowl, they carry both confidence and lessons forward. In the College Football Playoff, that balance may decide how far they go.