The story before the game was Texas Tech's dominant defense, one that crushed opponents all season with pressure and turnovers on their way to the Big 12 Championship.
The Red Raiders proved to be as advertised, frustrating Oregon's offense and shutting down the running game, limiting the Ducks to 64 yards rushing on 47 carries, racking up 10 tackles for loss and two sacks.
But it was Tosh Lupoi's last Duck defense that won the day. Brandon Finney intercepted a pair of Behren Morton's passes while Teitum Tuioti sacked him twice. Matayo Uiagalelei seized the momentum in the third quarter with a sack/strip/fumble and recovery, a remarkable athletic play where he plucked the ball off Morton's back and churned to the 6.
Jordon Davison plowed over the right side for a touchdown on the very next play, giving the Ducks a 13-0 lead. With TTU forced to go for it on fourth down Oregon added a short-field field goal and then a controversial touchdown with 20 seconds to play when they could have taken a knee, a one-yard run by Davison.
It was Oregon's defense with the decisive sacks and turnovers, a shutout win to advance to the Peach Bowl on January 9th versus the winner of the Rose Bowl, Alabama versus Indiana next on ESPN.
World’s learning about @brandonfinneyjr today 👀
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) January 1, 2026
📺: @espn x @GoDucks x via @CFBPlayoffpic.twitter.com/vuOypN6HZE
The Ducks held a potent Tech attack to 215 yards, 78 yards rushing on 30 carries, 3.47 yards per play.