Dante Moore Leads Oregon Past James Madison in CFP Opener
Oregon Strikes Early, Rolls Past James Madison in CFP Opener
EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon wasted no time asserting control in its College Football Playoff debut, overwhelming James Madison 51–34 on Saturday night to advance to the CFP quarterfinals.
The Ducks exploded out of the gate, scoring touchdowns on their first five possessions and building a commanding 34–6 halftime lead that effectively decided the game before intermission. Quarterback Dante Moore delivered a star performance, accounting for five total touchdowns — four through the air and one on the ground — as Oregon earned its first CFP victory since 2014 and set up a quarterfinal matchup against Texas Tech on January 1.
James Madison, making its first-ever playoff appearance, showed resilience with a late offensive surge, but the early deficit proved far too large to overcome.
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Early Onslaught Sets the Tone
Oregon seized control almost immediately. Less than two minutes into the game, Moore opened the scoring with a deep touchdown strike to tight end Jamari Johnson, setting the tone for a relentless offensive assault.
After a brief response from James Madison, the Ducks rattled off four more touchdown drives before halftime. Moore added a rushing score, while explosive runs and chunk plays through the air kept the Dukes’ defense on its heels. Each of Oregon’s first five scoring drives required fewer than five plays and drained minimal time off the clock, highlighting the Ducks’ efficiency and tempo.
By halftime, Oregon had piled up more than 360 yards of offense and left little doubt about the outcome.
Moore and Skill Players Shine
Moore looked poised and confident on the biggest stage, finishing 19-of-27 for 313 yards and four passing touchdowns despite throwing two interceptions. He distributed the ball to multiple targets and consistently attacked downfield.
Wide receiver Malik Benson emerged as the primary deep threat, recording over 100 receiving yards and two long touchdowns that extinguished any hopes of a James Madison comeback. Jeremiah McClellan and Jamari Johnson also found the end zone, while Oregon’s running backs added balance and explosiveness on the ground.
Special teams contributed as well, with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown late in the third quarter, underscoring Oregon’s dominance in all three phases.
James Madison Shows Fight
To their credit, the Dukes never folded. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III regrouped after a difficult first half and led a productive second-half effort, throwing for over 270 yards and accounting for multiple touchdowns.
James Madison scored three times after halftime and finished with more than 500 total yards, demonstrating why the program earned its playoff berth. Running back Wayne Knight surpassed 100 rushing yards, and the offense flashed its trademark explosiveness despite playing from far behind.
Still, the early mistakes and Oregon’s superior execution made a comeback unrealistic.
No Overreaction Needed
While the lopsided score may fuel debate about expanded playoff inclusion, blowouts are nothing new in postseason college football. Dominant performances have occurred throughout CFP history, even among power-conference teams.
James Madison earned its place by winning consistently and competing at a high level all season. Its presence in the playoff reflects the intent of the expanded format — providing opportunity — not guaranteeing parity.
Looking Ahead
Oregon’s emphatic win sends a clear message heading into the quarterfinals. The Ducks will face Texas Tech next in a matchup that pits two aggressive, well-resourced programs against each other with a semifinal spot on the line.
For Oregon, the opener wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.