Photo: Tom Hauck / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Oregon Ducks jumped out early and held on late to beat James Madison Dukes 51–34 on Saturday night (December 20) in a College Football Playoff opener.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore had a big night, throwing four touchdown passes and adding another score on the ground. The Ducks wasted no time getting started, scoring less than two minutes into the game on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson and never trailing after that.
James Madison answered with a long opening drive that ended in a field goal, but Oregon quickly took control. The Ducks scored four straight touchdowns and went into halftime with a 34–6 lead, forcing JMU to move away from its run-heavy game plan.
The Dukes showed fight in the second half. Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett III threw a 47-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, but Oregon responded with two quick scores, including a blocked punt returned for a touchdown that swung momentum back to the Ducks.
James Madison added three late touchdowns to close the gap, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. Oregon improved to 12–1 and advanced to face Texas Tech in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl on January 1.
The Dukes finish the season at 12–2 after an 11-game winning streak and a historic playoff appearance — the program’s first trip to the College Football Playoff. ROLL DUKES!
SOURCE: WHSV3