Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks Take Down James Madison in First Ever Home Playoff Game

The Oregon Ducks hosted the James Madison Dukes in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Though ticket sales and weather were concerns prior to kickoff, the Ducks secured a rocky win in a full stadium with chilly, but clear, conditions.
Ally Osborne|
Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher celebrates after the game as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.
Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher celebrates after the game as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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James Madison DukesOregon Ducks

For the first time in program history, the No. 5 Oregon Ducks hosted a first round College Football Playoff game at Autzen Stadium, beating the No. 12 James Madison Dukes 51-34.

Before the game, Ticketmaster's seat map had a number of resale tickets for sale, but the majority of available tickets are being sold directly from the University of Oregon. Roughly three hours before the game, tickets were being sold for roughly $50, even along the 50-yard line. The price of tickets closest to the field has not dropped as much, however. Select seats were available for approximately $150 along the Oregon and James Madison sideline.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky St
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Though the Ducks had a dominant first half, the Dukes kept fighting, scoring four times in the second half. JMU also hung around in terms of stats, having 509 total offensive yards compared to Oregon's 514 total offensive yards. However, the Dukes turned in 13 penalties for 113 yards, four of them being false starts due to the noise in Autzen.

Ducks Quarterback Dante Moore turned in a 70 percent completion game with some big risks (some paid off, some not) for deep balls. Moore went 19-27 for 313 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. Moore also punched in a quarterback keeper touchdown in the first quarter.

Wide receivers Malik Benson (119 yards, two touchdowns) and Jeremiah McClellan (83 yards, one touchdown) stood out for the Ducks, making three of Oregon's four passing touchdowns. Running back Dierre Hill Jr. found several opportunities to get explosive runs, punching in the other rushing touchdown of the game for the Ducks.

Defensively, Oregon had trouble stopping JMU unless it was a red zone situation. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti excelled with three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. He and defensive lineman Bear Alexander shared the sole sack of the game against JMU. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher led the team in tackles with nine total.

The Ducks entered this game after an 11-1 season without a conference championship berth, with their last game being a 26-14 road win against their rival, the Washington Huskies. The Dukes, also going 11-1 in their regular season, clinched a 31-14 victory against Troy to become the Sun Belt Conference Champions. The Ducks advance to the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida to take on the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders on New Year's Day.

Below are the live updates throughout the game. The latest updates are at the top.

FINAL: OREGON 51, JAMES MADISON 34

FOURTH QUARTER

Q4 00:35: Oregon takes another knee to run out the clock and win the game.

Q4 01:03: Oregon recovers the onside kick from James Madison. The Ducks will take a knee to run out the clock.

OREGON 51, JAMES MADISON 34

Q4 01:05: After a Dukes timeout, Barnett finds the end zone on a one-yard touchdown rush. Two-point conversion is successful.

Q4 01:08: Oregon's defense stops James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett on the goal line, setting up fourth down.

Q4 01:56: Offensive pass interference on James Madison moves the Dukes back to the 16-yard line.

Q4 02:00: Before the two-minute warning, James Madison running back Wayne Knight found a crease for a 49-yard rush down to the goal line.

OREGON 51, JAMES MADISON 26

Q4 04:22: After an onside kick from James Madison, the Ducks milked clock before settling for a field goal. Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington made the 48-yard field goal to extend Oregon's lead.

OREGON 48, JAMES MADISON 26

Q4 10:26 JAMES MADISON SCORES: Lacota Dippre hurdles a Duck to punch in a 2 yard touchdown. 2 point conversion attempt is no good. No. 52 on JMU is called for an illegal shift during the conversion.

Q4 13:22: Nick DeGennaro catches a deep ball from Barnett for a 31 yard first down to the Oregon 21 yard line.

Q4 14:18: Ducks punt on downs.

THIRD QUARTER

OREGON 48, JAMES MADISON 20

Q3 01:15 JAMES MADISON SCORES: George Pettaway catches a 24 yard deep ball from Barnett for JMU's second touchdown of the game. Kick is good.

Q3 01:22: JMU gets their fourth false start of the game on the offensive line.

Q3 01:22: Holding on JMU offense No. 68. Ball goes to Oregon 19 yard line. First and goal Dukes with 19 yards to go.

Q3 03:01: Dante Moore is intercepted by JMU's Justin Eaglin, taken out of bounds at the Oregon 32 yard line by Dierre Hill Jr. The run was 62 yards. After the play, some scuffling occurs on the sidelines as Oregon players rush to the site of the tackle. Blake Purchase is called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and the Dukes get 15 yards to the Oregon 21 yard line and a first down.

Q3 04:28: Jeremiah has a pair of impressive receptions from Dante Moore for a combined gain of 35 yards and 2 first downs.

Q3 05:52: JMU punts on downs.

OREGON 48, JAMES MADISON 13

Q3 07:05 OREGON SCORES: Black Purchase blocks a punt and Jayden Limar, who has been on injury reserve since the Indiana game in Oct., scoops up the ball for a 15 yard Ducks touchdown. Kick is good.

Q3 08:04: Oregon punts on downs.

Q3 09:35: Teitum Tuioti gets a quarterback sack on Barnett for a fourth down and loss of 3 yards.

Q3 10:19: Timeout for an injured Duke. No. 76 on the offensive line.

OREGON 41, JAMES MADISON 13

Q3 10:24 OREGON SCORES: 4 plays later, Malik Benson catches a deep pass from Dante Moore for a 45 yard touchdown. Kick is good.

OREGON 34, JAMES MADISON 13

Q3 12:08 JAMES MADISON SCORES: Nick DeGennaro scores a 47 yard touchdown on a pass from Barnett. Kick is good.

HALFTIME

SECOND QUARTER

Jeremiah McClellan heads to the locker room holding his arm after that hard hit.

OREGON 34, JAMES MADISON 6

Q2 00:06 JAMES MADISON SCORES: Morgan Suarez sinks a 38 yard field goal.

Q2 00:11: Stopping the Dukes in the redzone, JMU prepares to kick. Oregon calls their final timeout.

Q2 00:24: Barnett gets an incomplete passing to Jaylan Sanchez. Oregon gets a pass interference call, giving the Dukes a 10 yard gain to the Oregon 15 yard line. First down JMU.

Q2 00:29: James Madison calls their first timeout of the half.

Q2 01:00: Elijah Culp intercepts Dante Moore's pass to get the ball for the Dukes. JMU is given a penalty for illegal block in the back. First down and 10 yards at the JMU 47 yard line.

Q2 01:13: Jeremiah McClellan fails to catch a deep pass from Dante Moore. A hard hit from the JMU No. 10 delivers the Dukes a pass interference call, giving Oregon 15 yards and a first down to their own 42 yard line.

Q2 01:40: JMU punts on downs. Gary Bryant Jr. catches the ball. This is his first game back since an injury against Iowa.

Q2 02:00: 2 minute timeout!

Q2 03:18: Jericho Johnson nearly picks off Barnett but settles for a pass break up. Second down Dukes on their 47 yard line.

Q2 03:34: Blake Purchase is called for a face mask, sending JMU to their own 47 yard line.

Q2 04:17: After a hard-hitting tackle sending Curtis Harris-Lopez flying, Theran Johnson goes down with an injury. He walks off to the sidelines under his own power.

OREGON 34, JAMES MADISON 3

Q2 04:22 OREGON SCORES: Dante Moore sails a deep ball into the hands of Malik Benson for a 46 yard receiving touchdown.

Q2 04:57: Jordon Davison fumbles the ball and Immanuel Pregnon jumps on top of the ball.

Q2 06:07: JMU punts on downs.

Q2 07:10: JMU gets called for illegal formation with not enough players in the backfield. 5 yard loss to the JMU 39 yard line. First and 15 yards. This is called back by the officials and called a second down on the JMU 44 yard line.

Q2 08:04: JMU gets their third false start of the game with a five yard penalty to the Ducks' 15 yard line.

OREGON 27, JAMES MADISON 3

Q2 09:21 OREGON SCORES: Four plays later, Dante Moore passes deep to Jeremiah McClellan for a 20 yard touchdown. JMU called for defensive holding. Kick is good.

Q2 10:36: JMU punts to Oregon on downs.

Q2 10:51: JMU's offensive line hit with another false start. Third down for the Dukes.

OREGON 20, JAMES MADISON 3

Q2 11:39 OREGON SCORES: Dierre Hill Jr. runs in a 56 yard touchdown from the far left side of the field. Kick is good.

Q2 13:27: JMU gets hit with a pass interference call for a Duck 15 yard gain to the 37 yard line. First down.

Q2 13:07: The Ducks block the kick attempt from JMU and will take over on their 22 yard line. Tionne Gray on the block.

Q2 13:55: Aaron Flowers takes down Wayne Knight to force a Dukes fourth down. Dukes will kick.

Q2 14:16: JMU's No. 89 is called for holding. Ball goes on the Oregon 23 yard line with a second down and goal.

Q2 15:00: The Autzen Faithful gets their first false start of the evening against the Dukes. The ball is on the Oregon 15 yard line with a first down.

FIRST QUARTER

Q1 00:30: JMU plays a trick pass from Nick DeGeranno to Landon Ellis for a 50 yard first down to the Oregon 10 yard line.

Q1 00:35: A'Mauri Washington gets in Barnett's face and breaks up a pass for a third down.

Q1 01:57: Bryce Boettcher gets a pass breakup off a Barnett throw to Dippre. Third down for the Dukes on the JMU 32.

OREGON 13, JAMES MADISON 3

Q1 02:36 OREGON SCORES: Dante Moore runs far right for a 5 yard quarterback keeper touchdown. Kick is good.

Q1 04:28: Dante Moore passes short right to Dierre Hill Jr. who carries it 40 yards to the JMU 32 yard line for a first down.

OREGON 6, JAMES MADISON 3

Q1 05:13 JMU SCORES: Morgan Suarez sails in a 30 yard field goal to put the Dukes on the board.

Q1 07:18: Barnett runs a 14-yard QB keeper for a first down on Oregon's 16 yard line.

Q1 09:18: Duke's second down after Teitum Tuioti deflects a pass from Barnett to Jobi Malary.

Q1 09:30: Barnett throws a 2 yard pass for a first down to Lacota Dippre. On the Oregon 41 yard line.

Q1 11:06: Alonza Barnett III fumbles and recovers his own ball. Fourth down.

Q1 12:32: Wayne Knight finds a gap in the far right side and picks up a first down and 24 yards.

Q1 13:14: Wayne Knight is tackled by A'Mauri Washington for no gain and a second down for the Dukes.

OREGON 6, JAMES MADISON 0

Q1 13:17 OREGON SCORES: Dante Moore passes deep to Jamari Johnson as Johnson reaches to put in a 41 yard touchdown. Second point attempt is no good off a trick play.

PREGAME

Oregon wins the coin toss and chooses to receive. Noah Whittington back for the return.

Oregon Ducks CFP Game 1 Captains

Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart are both spotted working out with the team pregame.

Oregon Ducks' Final Availability Report

Game Time Decision

Evan Stewart, wide receiver
Trey McNutt, defensive back

Out

Kyler Kasper, wide receiver
Justius Lowe, wide receiver
Solomon Davis, defensive back
Da'Juan Riggs, running back
Gernorris Wilson, offensive line

James Madison's Friday Availability Report

OUT

Jamal Olford, cornerback
Lee Johnson, linebacker
Brandon Fique, linebacker
Cam McNair, offensive lineman

Oregon’s receiver Evan Stewart, left, quarterback Dante Moore and Dakorien Moore dance during an open practice session leadin
Oregon’s receiver Evan Stewart, left, quarterback Dante Moore and Dakorien Moore dance during an open practice session leading up to their first-round CFP game against James Madison at Autzen Stadium in Eugene Dec. 14, 2025. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Return of Injured Wide Receivers

One of the most intriguing storylines for this game is the return of certain injured players, including wide receivers Dakorien Moore, Gary Bryant Jr., and Evan Stewart. Stewart has been out since the preseason due to a torn patellar tendon, Moore suffered a knee injury in the later half of the season, and Bryant suffered an ankle injury on the road against Iowa.

On Thursday evening, Moore got cryptic and posted a photo of himself to social media with the caption, "Back," and an emoji of a joker playing card. Many fans online speculate Moore is teasing a comeback for the Ducks' post-season run.

The day before kickoff, Stewart was moved to "doubtful" on the availability report.

"All these guys have been really eager. It's about us protecting them from themselves at times, but they're really eager to get out there and do the work," coach Dan Lanning said the Monday leading up to this game.

Sep 5, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) runs the ball against the Louisvil
Sep 5, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images | Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

James Madison's Road to the CFP

Going 11-1 and the Sun Belt Conference champions, the Dukes bring a rush heavy offense with a No. 2 in the nation rushing defense, only letting put in an overall 255.9 yards a game (No. 3 in the nation).

One of the star players to watch for on the Duke's offense is junior running back Wayne Knight. The teams' top rusher by a long shot put up 1,263 yards and 9 touchdowns off 190 carries this season with 10.1 yards per attempt against Troy in the conference championship. That includes a 73-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, his longest rush of his career.

James Madison coach Bob Chesney shared this week that the Dukes are preparing to take on the Ducks by using speakers to imitate the crowd noise at the "house of loud."

"Yeah, we have all their songs, all the things they do, right? Their band, their music, everything that we could gather is what we're putting on display out there for our guys, so that that's something that they've heard before," Chesney said.

MORE: Oregon Ducks Lose Receiver To Transfer Portal Amid Injury Updates

MORE: Oregon Ducks Uniforms Flex The Power Of A National Brand In Playoff Spotlight

MORE: Oregon Ducks Intriguing Injury Report vs. James Madison

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Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Clev Lubin (50) strips the ball away from James Madison Dukes quarterback Alonza Barne
Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Clev Lubin (50) strips the ball away from James Madison Dukes quarterback Alonza Barnett III (14) that set up a fumble and recovery touchdown by Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman AJ Green (17) at L&N Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Sept. 5, 2025 | Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

JMU Fans Approach Game With Niceties

One of the more unique aspects of this playoff game is the kind nature both athletes and fans are approaching their opponent. Just this week, JMU starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III praised the Ducks in a pregame press conference. Barnett stated that he himself had Oregon as a dream school growing up.

"They had the flashy jerseys, Marcus Mariota, Darren Thomas, Darren Carrington, Kenjon Barner, a bunch of people. I was one of those kids who grew up watching Oregon. And so, this is an environment you dream of playing in. If you are who you say you are, you can't shy down when the lights are bright," Barnett added.

The sweet exchanges between fans have also continued throughout the two weeks leading up to this marquee matchup. Oregon Ducks on Sports Illustrated chatted with two fans leading the charge on the positivity between these fanbases.

Published
Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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