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Oregon beat Texas Tech 16-0 to win the Orange Bowl and advance to the College Football Playoff Thursday at Hard Rock Stadium with a dominant defensive performance.
The Ducks forced four turnovers in the victory, limiting the Red Raiders to just 206 total offensive yards. The Red Raiders defense kept Texas Tech in the game with an interception and turning the Ducks over on insertion downs, but it wasn’t enough.
The first half of Oregon-Texas Tech was low scoring. The Ducks drove down the field on their first drive, but after a third-down sack by Dante Moore, they were forced to settle for a 50-yard field goal by Atticus Sappington to make the score 3-0.
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Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney (4) runs after intercepting the football during the first half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Texas Tech in Miami Gardens, Fla., January 1, 2026. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)
The Ducks continued to move the ball, but Texas Tech’s defense held strong on their side of the field. The Ducks turned the ball over on downs to the Red Raiders’ 23-yard line on their ensuing offensive possession after the field goal.
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton was intercepted by Brandon Finney Jr., giving the Ducks good field position at the Red Raiders’ 35-yard line, but the defense held up again. The Red Raiders forced a 10-yard loss and an Oregon punt.
Texas Tech had nine yards of offense in the first quarter, but had an explosive play in the second quarter. Running back J’Koby Williams broke a tackle and had a 50-yard run to move into Ducks territory.
However, the Red Raiders offense did nothing else afterward, and kicker Stone Harrington missed a 54-yard field goal, keeping the score at 3–0. Oregon took over at midfield and went on a 14-play, 62-yard drive to the Texas Tech two-yard line, but the defense slammed the door again, forcing a turnover on downs.
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Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson, top, jumps to celebrate after Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. throws an interception during the first half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Texas Tech in Miami Gardens, Fla., Jan. 1, 2026. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)
The Texas Tech offense then gave the ball back immediately, as running back Cameron Dickey fumbled after two first downs, and it was recovered by Finney. Oregon took over at the Texas Tech 29-yard line, but once again the Red Raiders defense held strong and forced a field goal.
Sappington made the 39-yard field goal to give the Ducks a 6-0 lead with less than two minutes left in the second quarter, which was the halftime score.
The start of the third quarter was much the same. Texas Tech got the ball first, but made a three-pointer.
Oregon got the ball back at midfield after a 28-yard return, but the Texas Tech defense again forced another turnover on downs on a fourth-and-2 at the Red Raiders’ 33-yard line.
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Oregon Place kicker Atticus Sappington (36) kicks a field goal, held by punter James Ferguson-Reynolds (46), during the first half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game in Miami Gardens, Florida, January 1, 2026. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)
The Ducks’ only touchdown was put together by their defense. Morton was sacked by Matayo Uiagalelei, who recovered the fumble and returned it to the Texas Tech six-yard line. Running back Jordon Davison scored on a six-yard rushing touchdown on the next play to give the Ducks a 13-0 lead.
Texas Tech advanced the ball past midfield on the ensuing possession, but Oregon stopped them on a fourth-and-1.
The Texas Tech defense then stepped up again, intercepting Moore on fourth down to give their offense the ball at their own 45-yard line. They got into the red zone for the first time when Morton connected with Terrance Carter Jr. on a deep ball down the sideline late in the third quarter.
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However, Oregon’s defense shut the door with its fourth takedown of the game. Finney picked off Morton in the end zone, securing his second interception of the game and preserving the Ducks’ 13-0 lead.
Sappington made a field goal after the interception to make it 16-0, where the score remained final.
Oregon will face the winner of Indiana and Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
