In a stunning defensive showcase, the No. 5 Oregon Ducks dismantled the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders 23-0 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, was expected to be an offensive spectacle between two top-five scoring teams, but Oregon's defense stole the show, advancing to the CFP semifinals.
Oregon's defense dominated from the outset, applying relentless pressure on Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton. The Ducks recorded four sacks and forced four turnovers, including two interceptions. One interception in the red zone effectively sealed the shutout. Morton struggled throughout the game, completing only 18 of 32 passes for 137 yards, with two interceptions and a strip sack. The Red Raiders offense, which entered the game averaging 42.5 points per game, was held to just nine first downs and 206 total yards.
Oregon's head coach, Dan Lanning, expressed dissatisfaction with his defense after their first-round win against James Madison. His defense responded in a big way, delivering a performance that left little room for complaint, marking their first shutout against a top-10 opponent since 2012.
While Oregon's offense wasn't flashy, it was efficient enough to capitalize on the defensive performance. Quarterback Dante Moore completed 26 of 33 passes for 234 yards and one interception. The Ducks converted 13 points off turnovers and controlled the clock. Atticus Sappington contributed three field goals, including a 50-yarder to open the scoring and another from 43 yards out in the fourth quarter. Running back Jordan Davison scored two touchdowns, including a six-yard run in the third quarter after a strip-sack by Matayo Uiagalelei and a one-yard plunge in the closing seconds. Uiagalelei's forced fumble and recovery was a critical play, setting up Oregon's first touchdown. Brandon Finney Jr. had two interceptions in the game.
The Ducks' victory continued a surprising trend in the expanded College Football Playoff. Oregon was the sixth team coming off a first-round bye to lose in the quarterfinal round.
Oregon (13-1) advances to the CFP semifinals at the Peach Bowl, where they will face the winner of the Rose Bowl between No. 1 Indiana and No. 9 Alabama on January 9. The winner of the Peach Bowl will advance to the national championship game on January 19, which will also be held in Miami Gardens. Texas Tech, which entered the game with a 12-1 record, suffered its first shutout loss of the season.
