The Ducks beat James Madison in the first round of the CFP

no. 5 The Oregon Ducks beat the No. 12 James Madison Dukes 51-34 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium, picking up the program’s first playoff win since 2014. Oregon, 12-1 on the season, advanced to a matchup with No. 4 Texas Tech in CFP quarterfinals at the Orange Bowl on January 1.

Oregon came out aggressive, with an offense that hit right away. Quarterback Dante Moore connected with tight end Jamari Johnson on a 41-yard touchdown pass with less than two minutes to play. Johnson caught one hand, dragging two defenders into the end zone. The Ducks attempted a two-point trick attempt but were unsuccessful, putting Oregon up 6-0 just 1:38 into the clock.

The Dukes responded with a 15-play, 8:03 drive led by Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonzo Barnett III that ended with a 30-yard field goal by Morgan Suarez. However, Oregon took command by scoring four straight touchdowns before halftime to take a 34-6 lead. Moore threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score. The Ducks’ five first-half touchdowns each came on plays of 30 yards or more. Wide receiver Malik Benson, running back Deer Hill and freshman Jordon Davison all accounted for the scoring, including a 56-yard touchdown run by Hill and a 46-yard TD reception by Benson.

Defensively, the Ducks limited the rushing attack of James Madison, who ranked fifth nationally in yards per game, forcing the Dukes into a predominantly passing game. Despite moving the ball effectively at times, JMU had to settle for field goals or big pressure plays. A blocked field goal by DT Tionne Gray and a blocked punt by OLB Blake Purchase, returned 15 yards for a touchdown by RB Jayden Limar, extended Oregon’s lead.

By the third quarter, Oregon had built a 48-13 lead, though James Madison managed to score 20 points in the final quarter and a half, including Barnett’s 47-yard touchdown pass to Nick Degenard. The final score showed late points by the Dukes against the Reserves, but the outcome was never in doubt.

The Ducks, who have now won seven straight since their Oct. 11 loss to No. 1 Indiana, maintained their perfect CFP record against Group of Five teams while James Madison’s 11-game winning streak ended, leaving them 0-4 in playoff games.