The No. 5 Oregon Ducks secured a decisive victory over the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders, winning 23-0 in the Orange Bowl on January 1, 2024. This triumph propels Oregon (13-1) into the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal round, marking their third playoff win in history and second in this season’s campaign.
Oregon will face either the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers or the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinal, set to take place at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (PT) on January 9, 2024. Indiana (13-0) and Alabama (11-3) will compete in the Rose Bowl earlier that day at 1 p.m.
Defensive Dominance Leads Ducks to Victory
Oregon’s defense was the standout performer in this matchup, successfully shutting out Texas Tech’s offense, which had averaged nearly 500 yards per game throughout the season. The Red Raiders were limited to just 206 total yards, with only 50 yards gained on a single first-half run by running back J’Koby Williams. Quarterback Behren Morton struggled against Oregon’s relentless defense, completing 18 of 32 passes for 137 yards.
Freshman cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. earned the Orange Bowl’s Most Valuable Player award for his remarkable performance. Finney Jr. intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble, while contributing six tackles, the third-most for the Ducks on the day. His efforts were instrumental in forcing three of Texas Tech’s four turnovers.
Linebacker Bryce Boettcher and safety Dillon Theineman also made significant contributions, each recording 12 tackles. Theineman’s stats included a tackle-for-loss, while Boettcher forced a fumble, showcasing the depth of talent in Oregon’s defensive lineup.
Offensive Struggles and Key Plays
Despite the defensive success, Oregon’s offense had a challenging outing against Texas Tech’s formidable defense. The Ducks amassed 309 total yards, with redshirt-sophomore quarterback Dante Moore throwing for 234 yards on 26 completions out of 33 attempts. However, he was unable to find the end zone, with the Ducks’ only turnover coming from an interception thrown by Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts.
Freshman running back Jordon Davison was the only player to score for Oregon, finding the end zone twice. His first touchdown came early in the third quarter, following a strip-sack by edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei, when Davison rushed for six yards. With just three minutes remaining in the game, he added a one-yard touchdown, bringing his season total to 15 touchdowns.
Oregon managed a mere 64 rushing yards overall, with Davison leading the ground game with 42 yards on 15 carries. The Ducks displayed resilience and determination, overcoming offensive challenges to secure their place in the semifinals.
The upcoming Peach Bowl promises to be a thrilling encounter as Oregon aims for its first national championship title. Fans will eagerly await the outcome of the Indiana vs. Alabama game to learn their next opponent.
