novoNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Oregon defeated James Madison 51-34 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday.
The score seemed to get more uneven in the first three quarters. Oregon, meanwhile, jumped out to a 48-13 lead over JMU midway through the third quarter.
JMU tried to make the deficit look a little prettier by outscoring the Ducks 20-3 in the final quarter and a half.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes for a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff first-round game between the Oregon Ducks and James Madison Dukes on December 20, 2025 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Ícone Brian Murphy/Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Ducks (12-1) advanced to a matchup with Texas Tech in a quarterfinal game at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. Oregon won a playoff game for the first time since 2014, when the Ducks defeated Florida State in the Rose Bowl semifinals before losing to Ohio State.
James Madison (12-2) drops Group of Five teams to 0-4 in CFP play. No. 17 Tulane fell 41-10 at No. 6 Mississippi, also on Saturday.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson less than two minutes into the game to give Oregon a lead it would not relinquish. Johnson caught Moore’s pass with his right hand. and ran into the end zone while dragging two defenders.
College Football Playoff Standings: OREGON CLIMBS After Win Over USC
Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) runs the ball with James Madison Dukes defensive lineman Xavier Holmes (9) and linebacker Drew Spinogatti (56) during the College Football Playoff first round game between the Oregon Ducks and James Madison Dukes on December 20, 2025 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Ícone Brian Murphy/Sportswire via Getty Images)
James Madison responded with a 30-yard field goal by Morgan. Suarez on the next shot This once required 15 plays and burned 8:03. The Ducks took it from there. Scoring 4 consecutive touchdowns. Before the Dukes stole the ball for another Suarez goal before halftime. This made the score 34-6.
Losing by such a wide margin, James Madison retreated from a rushing attack that ranked fifth nationally in average yards per game that night. Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett III completed 23 of 48 passes, including a 47-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro on James Madison’s first drive of the third quarter.
Click here to download the FOX NEWS app.
(23) scores a 56-yard touchdown pass against James Madison Dukes safety Jacob Thomas (7) during the College Football Playoff first-round game between the Oregon Ducks and James Madison Dukes on December 20, 2025 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Ícone Brian Murphy/Sportswire via Getty Images)
Oregon responded immediately with two touchdowns, including wide receiver Malik Benson’s second TD and a blocked punt that Jayden Limar picked off and returned 15 yards for a score. James Madison scored the last three touchdowns.
The win was the Ducks’ seventh straight since losing to No. 1 Indiana 30-20 on Oct. 11. James Madison has won 11 straight.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Siga a Fox News Digital Sports coverage inand request membership Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter–
