Oregon Ducks Defense Dominates Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl

MIAMI - It was a historic day for the No. 4 Oregon Ducks football program, as coach Dan Lanning and crew beat the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in Oregon's first ever Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

For the Ducks on offense, starting quarterback Dante Moore (named the Orange Bowl offensive MVP) went 26 for 33 with 234 yards, but didn't complete a single touchdown. Against Texas Tech, Oregon's run game felt stifled until short yardage situations. Both of Oregon's touchdowns in the second and fourth quarter came from running back Jordon Davison in short yard rushes, who clocked in 42 yards off 15 chances.

Linebacker Bryce Boettcher and defensive back Dillon Thieneman both led the team with 12 total tackles and 6 solo tackles a piece. Defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. was named the Orange Bowl defensive MVP due to his two interceptions, plus 6 total tackles and 4 solo tackles.

The Ducks will advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, awaiting the winner of the Rose Bowl between Indiana and Alabama.

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; a general view of the stadium the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff between the Oregon Ducks and Texas Tech Red Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

FINAL: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0

FOURTH QUARTER

Q4 00:10: Texas Tech runs the ball to run out the clock. Oregon wins.

Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0

Q4 00:16: TOUCHDOWN Oregon. Jordon Davison punches it in from one yard out.

Q4 00:19: Timeout Oregon with 19 seconds remaining. The Ducks have the ball at the one-yard line.

Q4 01:49: Timeout Texas Tech after a Jordon Davison was tackled for a one-yard loss.

Q4 02:00: Two minute warning. Oregon has the ball on Texas Tech's eight-yard line after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. First and goal for the Ducks.

Q4 03:16: On fourth down, Blake Purchase sacks Behren Morton for an eight-yard loss, giving possession back to the Ducks at Texas Tech's 28-yard line.

Q4 04:55: Atticus Sappington's kick attempt (36 yards) hooks left and is no good. Oregon turns over the ball to Texas Tech.

Q4 06:15: Alex Harkey is back in the game on the line.

Q4 06:53: Teitum Tuioti tackles Behren Morton in the backfield for a loss of 5 yards on a fourth down. Turnover on downs makes it the Ducks' ball.

Q4 07:50: No. 72 on the Red Raiders called for a snap infraction. Second down and 15 yards to go.

OREGON 16, TEXAS TECH 0

Q4 07:59 OREGON SCORES: Atticus Sappington kicks a 43 yard field goal to extend Oregon's lead.

Q4 08:02: Alex Harkey is down on the field with an injury for the Ducks. He walks off under his own power.

Q4 09:59: Jayden Limar catches a pass from Moore for a 27 yard first down.

Q4 11:34: The Ducks punt on downs after not getting much headway. Texas Tech is called offsides. Oregon gets a first down.

Q4 13:48: Brandon Finney Jr. intercepts Morton to get the Ducks the ball. Oregon's drive starts at the 10 yard line.

Q4 14:21: Terrance Carter Jr. catches a pass for no gain to make it third down and goal.

Q4 14:52: Brandon Finney jr. tackle Cameron Dickey to make it second and goal. No gain.

THIRD QUARTER

Q3 00:22: Morton passes to Terrance Carter Jr. to put the ball on the 9 yard line for first down and goal.

Q3 01:51; Ja'Kobi Williams gets a first down. That play is under further review. Ruling is upheld on the Oregon 45 yard line.

Q3 02:13: Ja'Kobi Williams breaks away for a 13 yard gain tackled by Aaron Flowers.

Q3 02:35: False start called on No. 78 for Texas Tech. Second down and 16 to go for Texas Tech.

Q3 02:37: False start called on No. 70 for Texas Tech.

Q3 03:19: On a fourth and 2 play, Dante Moore throws an interception to Ben Roberts. Texas Tech's ball.

Q3 05:15: Dante Moore picks up a first down to the Texas Tech 46 yard line off a quarterback keeper.

Q3 06:52: On a fourth and one play, Ja'Kobi Williams is unable to get a first down thanks to Jadon Canady. Red Raiders turnover on downs.

Q3 07:33: Dillon Thieneman gets a loss of 1 yard against Ja'Kobi Williams. Third down and 10 for the Red Raiders.

Q3 08:02: Morton's pass almost picked off as it sailed deep for the redzone. Second down.

Q3 09:39: Morton's pass to Reggie Virgil is clean. 24 yard first down to Texas Tech's 44 yard line.

jordon davison touchdown; oregon vs texas tech pic.twitter.com/4nwXuWWs2M
— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) January 1, 2026

OREGON 13, TEXAS TECH 0

Q3 11:20 OREGON SCORES: Jordon Davison runs in a 6 yard touchdown for the Ducks. Kick is good.

Q3 11:24: Matayo Uiagalelei strip sacks Behren Morton for a first and goal for Oregon.

Q3 12:06: Dante Moore's quarterback keeper on the fourth down isn't enough. Oregon turns over on downs.

Q3 12:17: Dante Moore's pass to Dakorien Moore just slips out of Dakorien's hands. Fourth and 2 yards once again for Oregon.

Q3 13:50: Texas Tech punts to Oregon. Malik Benson returns the ball for 28 yards.

Q3 14:24: A'Mauri Washington gets a pass breakup.

HALFTIME

SECOND QUARTER

Q2 00:09: Alex Harkey called for holding, putting the Ducks back at the 44 yard line. Third down with 30 yards to go.

Q2 00:11: Iapani Laloulu bungles a pass which Dante Moore recovers the fumble for a second down and 24 yards to go on the 50 yard line.

Q2 00:19: Moore completes a pass to Jamari Johnson for a first down to the 36 TT yard line.

Q2 00:40: Ducks call their second timeout.

Q2 00:43: Behren Morton tackled by Teitum Tuioti to bring up fourth down and 4 yards for Texas Tech.

Q2 01:31: Jerry Mixon gets a pass breakup on Morton. Second down.

OREGON 6, TEXAS TECH 0

Q2 01:37 OREGON SCORES: Atticus Sappington kicks a 39 yard field goal.

Q2 01:37: Noah Whittington is tackled short of the first down line for another fourth down and 2 yards. Oregon will attempt a 39 yard field goal. Texas Tech got called for a defensive player's helmet coming off, the Red Raiders take another timeout.

Q2 02:00: Two-minute timeout.

Q2 02:29: Brandon Finney Jr. recovers a Texas Tech fumble for a first down for Oregon. Ducks' ball.

Q2 02:36: Mohrton's pass to Coy Eakin gains a first down.

Q2 04:08: Dante Moore's pass is broken up by Ben Roberts in the endzone. The Ducks must turnover on downs.

Q2 04:12: Oregon takes their first timeout of the half.

Q2 04:26: Jordon Davison is stopped Fourth down and goal. Ducks at the 2.

Q2 04:56: Jordon Davison gets a gain of 8 to the 2 yard line. Third down.

Q2 05:05: Dante Moore's pass to Kenyon Sadiq is incomplete.

Q2 05:28: Malik Benson catches a 23 yard pass from Dante Moore to put the ball on the 10 yard line. First and goal Ducks.

Q2 06:18: Moore passes to Noah Whittington for a five yard first down.

Q2 06:55: The Ducks once again find themselves at a fourth down situation with 3 yards to go on the TTU 40 yard line.

Q2 08:21: Texas Tech takes it's first timeout of the game.

James Ferguson-Reynolds 🦆

pic.twitter.com/Poy1iM9Yzw
— Oliver Hodgkinson (@hodgkinsonsport) January 1, 2026

Q2 08:37: Oh wait, think again! James Ferguson-Reynolds passes to Zach Grace for an 11 yard first down.

Q2 09:59: Jamari Johnson catches a pass from Moore for an 11 yard gain but it's not enough for a first down. Ducks will punt on fourth down.

Q2 10:28: Dakorien Moore is called for a false start, Ducks are second down with 12 yards to go.

Q2 10:53: Stone Harrington misses the field goal for 54 yards. Ducks' ball.

Q2 10:58: Behren Morton's pass is broken up by Jerry Mixon. Fourth down and 8 yards to go for the Red Raiders. Field goal team is out.

Q2 12:07: J'Koby Williams of Texas Tech gets a 50 yard rushing first down.

Q2 12:44: Ducks punt off a fourth down (Moore threw an incomplete a pass to Sadiq one play earlier). Ducks down the ball on the Texas Tech 10 yard line.

Q2 13:32: Moore fumbles the ball, then recovers. Loss of 10 yards for a third down and 20 yard situation.

Q2 14:18: On the second play, Behren Morton's pass is intercepted by Brandon Finney Jr. to the Texas Tech 33 yard line. First down Ducks.

Q2: Ducks punt to the Red Raiders on downs.

FIRST QUARTER

Q1 00:00: Dante Moore runs a quarterback keeper for a pickup of 8 yards. Tackled by Jacob Rodriguez. Ducks are on fourth down.

Q1 01:18: Dante Moore sacked in the backfield by Romello Height. Second down and 20 to go with a loss of 10 yards.

Q1 01:58: Teitum Tuioti tackles Behren Morton in the way backfield for a fourth down and a 17 yard loss. Red Raiders punt.

Q1 03:02: Jordon Davison stopped by Lee Hunter to turnover on downs to the Red Raiders at their own 24 yard line.

Q1 03:41: Dante Moore goes on the quarterback carry to pick up a yard. Once again fourth and 2 yards for the Ducks. Another decision to make.

Q1 04:24: Dante Moore passes to Dakorien Moore for a 13 yard gain. Third down and 3 yards to go.

Q1 04:59: Ben Roberts tackles Noah Whittington for a 5 yard run. Second down and 15 yards to go.

Q1 05:06: Isaiah World is called for holding, first down and 20 yards to go for the Ducks.

Q1: Dante Moore passes short right to Kenyon Sadiq for a 4 yard first down.

Q1 07:03: Moore's pass to Malik Benson comes up short of a first down with a tackle from Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts. Fourth down and two. Ducks going for it.

Q1 07:20: Dante Moore's pass was swatted down by David Bailey to be third down and 7 yards.

Q1: After Moore's pass to Dierre Hill Jr. resulting in -4 yards on the play, the Ducks have -8 rushing yards overall.

Q1 09:38: After three unsuccessful plays from Texas Tech and tackles from Teitum Tuioti, Brandon Finney Jr., and Bryce Boettcher (in that order) Texas Tech punts back to the Ducks.

OREGON 3, TEXAS TECH 0

Q1 10:41 OREGON SCORES: Atticus Sappington kicks a 50 yard field goal to put the Ducks on the board. Oregon's first drive was 10 plays for 43 yards.

Q1 11:24: Dante Moore sacked in the backfield for a loss of 11 yards by David Bailey. Fourth down.

Q1 12:06: Noah Whittington rushes for 2 yards and taken down by Brendan Jordan for a third down and 8 yards to go.

Q1 12:17: Amir Boyd of Texas Tech breaks up Dante Moore's pass to the endzone for Malik Benson. Second down and ten yards to go on Oregon's first drive of the game.

COIN TOSS: Texas Tech wins the coin toss after Oregon calls for heads and it comes up tails. Texas Tech differs to the second half. Oregon will receive.

PREGAME

Oregon Ducks Orange Bowl Captains

The captains for the Orange Bowl are defensive lineman Bear Alexander, offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, wide receiver Malik Benson, and linebacker Bryce Boettcher.

Captains for the @OrangeBowl. #GoDucks x @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/dQ4VuAi9DG
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) January 1, 2026

OREGON DUCKS INJURY REPORT

Out

Kingston Lopa, defensive back
Kyler Kasper, wide receiver
3 DB Sione Laulea, defensive back
Evan Stewart, wide receiver
Justius Lowe, wide receiver
Solomon Davis, defensive back
Da’Juan Riggs, running back
Gernorris Wilson, offensive lineman

Probable

Trey McNutt, defensive back

TEXAS TECH INJURY REPORT

Out

Skyler Gill-Howard - Defensive line
Will Hammond - Quarterback
Hunter Zambrano - Offensive Line

Probable

T.J. West - Wide Reciever
Jacob Rodriguez - Linebacker
Ashton Hampton - Cornerback
Dontae Balfour - Cornerback
Stone Harrington - Kicker

MORE: Oregon Ducks Make History With Orange Bowl Helmets

MORE: Shocking Orange Bowl Ticket Prices Days Before Oregon vs. Texas Tech

MORE: Three Observations From Oregon's Orange Bowl Practice In Miami

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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws out a pass as the Oregon Ducks practice at Barry University ahead of the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30, 2025, in Miami, Florida. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Joey McGuire Has Kind Words for Lanning and Moore

In the pregame coaches joint press conference, Oregon coach Dan Lanning and Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire spoke at length about their teams, thoughts on the College Football Playoff format, and their upcoming opponent. For McGuire, the Red Raider's leader declared himself a "fanboy" of Lanning during his opening statement.

“Man, we’re really excited and honored to be here. I’m kind of one of those guys that can fan boy really easy over great coaches, and I’m a huge fan of Dan’s. I watch a lot of his stuff that he puts out on social media or anytime there’s a press conference. I don’t have a lot of hobbies, but that’s one. I pay attention to a lot of coaches around the nation, especially guys that are doing it right,” McGuire said.

McGuire also shared his impressed feelings regarding Ducks starting quarterback Dante Moore, expressing a strong impression over his deep throws, ability to use his legs to extend plays, and his calm demeanor under pressure.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, and Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire shake hands during the head coaches press conference ahead of Orange Bowl on Dec. 31, 2025, in Dania Beach, Florida. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon and the Gray Pant Curse

Strongest as one.@CFBPlayoff Quarterfinals uniform combo for @OregonFootball. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/eDoU7PCZMo
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) December 24, 2025

Oregon's uniforms for their first Orange Bowl is also a unique statement for the program. For the first time in the modern era (and in program history), the Ducks are wearing black helmets for a post season game. The most commonly worn color for Oregon postseason game is green.

There's also the gray pants in this uniform, which may light up some superstitions with Duck fans. Oregon wore gray pants in both of their national championship losses in 2012 and in 2015. The Ducks are 16-9 overall when wearing gray pants, but it's the big game losses that perpetuate this superstition.