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Oregon beat Texas Tech 16-0 to win the Orange Bowl and advance in the College Football Playoff on 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 yards of total offense. The Red Raiders defense kept Texas Tech in the game with an interception and turnover to the Ducks on insert times, but it wasn’t enough.
The first half of Oregon-Texas Tech was low scoring. The Ducks marched down the field on their first drive, but after a Dante Moore sack on third down, they were forced to settle for a 50-yard field goal by Atticus Sappington to make it 3-0.
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Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney (4) runs after intercepting the ball during the first half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Texas Tech in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Jan. 1, 2026. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)
The Ducks continued to move the ball, but Texas Tech’s defense held strong on its own side of the field. The Ducks fumbled at the Red Raiders’ 23-yard line on their next 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 again held. 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 went on a 50-yard run 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 control of midfield and led a 14-play, 62-yard drive down the Texas Tech two-yard line, but the defense once again shut the door, forcing a turnover.
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Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson, above, jumps to celebrate after Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. made an interception during the first half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Texas Tech in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Jan. 1, 2026. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)
Texas Tech’s offense then gave the ball back, as running back Cameron Dickey fumbled after two first downs and Finney recovered it. Oregon took control at the Texas Tech 29-yard line, but once again the Red Raiders defense held strong and forced a field goal.
Sappington kicked a 39-yard field goal to put the Ducks up 6-0 with less than two minutes left in the second quarter, which was the score at halftime.
The start of the third quarter was more of the same. Texas Tech received the ball first, but went three.
Oregon recovered the ball at midfield after a 28-yard return, but the Texas Tech defense once again forced another turnover on fourth-and-two at the Red Raiders’ 33-yard line.
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Oregon 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, on Jan. 1, 2026. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)
The Ducks’ only touchdown was set up by their defense. Morton was sacked by Matayo Uiagalelei, who scooped up 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 next possession, but Oregon stopped them on fourth-and-one.
Texas Tech’s defense then stepped up again, intercepting Moore on fourth down to give their offense the ball at their own 45-yard line. They entered the red zone for the first time when Morton connected with Terrance Carter Jr. on a deep pass down the sideline late in the third quarter.
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However, Oregon’s defense shut the door with its fourth snap of the game. Finney intercepted Morton in the end zone, securing his second interception of the game and preserving the Ducks’ 13-0 lead.
Sappington scored a field goal after the interception to make the score 16-0, where the score was final.
Oregon will play the winner of Indiana and Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
