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Oregon defeated James Madison 51-34 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday.
The score appeared to be more lopsided through the first three quarters, as Oregon took a 48-13 lead over JMU midway through the third quarter.
JMU managed to make the deficit look a little more aesthetic by outscoring the Ducks 20-3 over the final quarter and a half.
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Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes for a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter during the first round of the College Football Playoff between the Oregon Ducks and James Madison Dukes on December 20, 2025 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Brian Murphy/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
The Ducks (12-1) advanced to face Texas Tech in a quarterfinal game at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. Oregon won a playoff game for the first time since 2014, when the Ducks beat Florida State in the Rose Bowl semifinals before losing to Ohio State.
James Madison (12-2) dropped Group of Five teams to 0-4 in CFP play. No. 17 Tulane also fell 41-10 to No. 6 Mississippi on Saturday.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson less than two minutes into the game to give Oregon a lead it would not relinquish. Johnson caught Moore’s pass with his right hand and rushed into the end zone while dragging down two defenders.
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Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) runs the ball against James Madison Dukes defensive lineman Xavier Holmes (9) and linebacker Drew Spinogatti (56) during the first round of the College Football Playoff between the Oregon Ducks and the James Madison Dukes on December 20, 2025 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Brian Murphy/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
James Madison responded with a 30-yard field goal from Morgan Suarez on its next drive, which took 15 plays and burned 8:03. The Ducks took over, scoring four straight touchdowns before the Dukes scored another Suarez field goal before halftime, making the score 34-6.
By falling behind so wide, James Madison took a step back from its rushing attack, which ranked fifth in the nation in average yards per game heading into the evening. Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett III completed 23 of 48 passes, including a 47-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro on James Madison’s first drive of the third quarter.
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Oregon Ducks running back Dierre Hill Jr. (23) scores a touchdown on a 56-yard run against James Madison Dukes safety Jacob Thomas (7) during the first round of the College Football Playoff between the Oregon Ducks and the James Madison Dukes on December 20, 2025 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Brian Murphy/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
Oregon quickly responded with two touchdowns, including wide receiver Malik Benson’s second touchdown and a blocked punt that Jayden Limar recovered and returned 15 yards for a score. James Madison scored the final three touchdowns.
It was the Ducks’ seventh straight victory since losing 30-20 to No. 1 Indiana on Oct. 11. James Madison had won 11 in a row.
