The Oregon Ducks struggled mightily against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoffs. Almost as soon as the game kicked off, the Buckeyes put points on the board and never looked back in the first half.
Beyond the defensive struggles that Oregon experienced for the first time all season, the Oregon offense was completely unable to find its footing.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel failed to connect with his targets downfield on a consistent basis and the Ducks' running room failed to earn any notable gains on the ground.
Notably, two star offensive players went missing from the offensive lineup as the first half progressed. Start wide receiver Tez Johnson limped off the field after an incomplete pass and awkward landing and elite running back Jordan James was seen being led to the locker room during the second quarter.
This season, Johnson has led the Ducks in receiving, despite missing a few games due to injury after Oregon's matchup against Michigan. The wideout was seen on the sidelines, being evaluated by the team's physical trainers. Holly Rowe, ESPN's sideline reporter, shared that they appeared to be looking at Johnson's neck and upper back.
James, who had earned just 14 yards in the first half, didn't make a show of leaving the game and it was only noticed that he was missing when the Oregon offense took the field without him. ESPN's broadcast of the game later showed him walking down the tunnel to the locker room.
Without their two stars in the offensive lineup, Oregon's offense only stalled more as the Ducks failed to find the end zone through the first 25+ minutes of the game.