Wins are all that matters in the playoffs, and the Ducks advance
Updated 12:25 pm PT
It may have been a very early start for those of us who live in Eugene, but today’s 9:00 am kickoff was a bit of a blessing in disguise. No fretting all day and worrying how the Oregon Ducks would fare, as Oregon vs. Texas Tech was the first entree of today’s College Football Playoff.
There was much trepidation ahead of the kickoff. Texas Tech’s defensive line is the real deal, and we at Addicted To Quack knew – and were sometimes painfully aware of – our offensive line’s performance and limitations.
Texas Tech won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, so Oregon received the ball to begin this game.
On the first drive, the talent of the Red Raiders was obvious. Oregon’s two run plays didn’t get anywhere, but the passing game was effective enough to move the ball down the field. Oregon’s drive ended with a sack of Dante Moore, and Atticus Sappington kicked a 50-yard field goal to put the Ducks on the board. Oregon 3, Texas Tech 0.
Texas Tech began on their own side of the field and could not convert 3rd-and-eight at their own 33-yard line, and punted. The Ducks then started on their own 28.
Faced with 4th and 2 on the 50-yard line, Dan Lanning was not about to change identity, and the Ducks converted for the first down. With 4th and 1 on the TTU 25-yard line, the Ducks failed to convert and turned the ball over on downs.
The Red Raiders started in their own territory again, and a sack of TTU quarterback Behren Morton forced a punt after the three-and-out.
Dante Moore was sacked for a 10-yard loss on the first play of Oregon’s drive. The Ducks were not able to convert the ensuing 3rd and 14, and punted for the first time at the start of the second quarter.
TTU’s second play at their own 25-yard line became a turnover with a Brandon Finney Jr.interception.
Dante Moore fumbled and recovered the fumble on the Texas Tech 43-yard line, dooming the drive after an incomplete pass. James Ferguson-Reynolds punted, and TTU was pinned deep in their own territory, on the 10-yard line.
The defense missed a tackle that allowed the Red Raiders to run for 50 yards, but Oregon’s defense stiffened. TTU opted for a 54-yard field goal, which sailed left and was no good.
The Ducks killed their next drive with a false start and punted from their 43-yard line.
Except they didn’t.
James Ferguson-Reynolds faked the punt on 4th and three, and perfectly delivered the ball to TE
Teitum Tuioti for the first down.
Oregon continued to drive and took a timeout with 4th and goal on the 2-yard line, with 4:12 left to the half. The pass on 4th down was not successful, and Oregon turned the ball over on downs.
At 1st and 10 on the TTU 26-yard line, the Red Raiders fumbled and gifted the Ducks a short field. Oregon was only able to gain 8 yards and chose to have Atticus Sappinton kick a 39-yard field goal, which went straight down the middle. Oregon 6, Texas Tech 0.
The Red Raiders started at their own 25-yard line and went 3-and-out. They punted, and Oregon took over on their 22-yard line with 37 seconds left to the half. A bad snap, however, pushed the Ducks back and the drive was killed for good with an Oregon holding penalty.
Texas Tech only managed 88 total yards in the first half, with 50 of those yards coming from just one running play. Oregon had 198 yards, all from passing, as they rushed for -5 yards in the first half. The Ducks won the turnover battle in the first half, but really should have gotten more than three points off turnovers.
Oregon left points on the field in the first half. Would they make a better showing after halftime?
TTU got nowhere on their first drive after the break, and punted. Malik Benson had a decent return of 28 yards to set the Ducks up in Red Raiders territory.
Oregon’s offense continued to show problems converting downs, and failed to convert 4th-and-2 on the TTU 33-yard line.
Texas Tech’s offense had been non-existent all game, and this series was no different. On 3rd-and-11, Matayo Uiagaleleiripped the ball Morton and took the fumble recover to the 6-yard line, where Jordon Davisonpunched it in for a touchdown.
TTU had some better success at sustaining a drive, talking the ball into Oregon territory. At the Oregon 34-yard line, TTU was faced with 4th-and-one and had to go for it. They failed to convert, and Oregon took over.
Oregon was interested in chewing up the clock and ran run plays to the TTU 46-yard line. Oregon went for it on 4th-and-2, resulting in a Texas Tech interception, and TTU had the ball on their 45-yard line.
Texas Tech had their best drive of the game to this point, and the third quarter ended with TTU at Oregon’s 9-yard line. After a couple of plays, Brandon Finney Jr. intercepted in the endzone and killed the drive.
The Ducks pushed to their 33-yard line, and would have punted had Texas Tech not been offsides, gifting Oregon with another set of downs. The Ducks drove to the TTU 30-yard line and Sappington converted a 43-yard field goal. Oregon 16, Texas Tech 0.
TTU took over at their 25-yard line and hurt themselves with a penalty before turning the ball over on down after a Teitum Tuioti sack. Oregon got nowhere, including not getting points when Sappington missed a 36-yard field goal attempt with 4:45 left in the game.
The Red Raiders picked up a first down, and that would be all. TTU turned the ball over on a Blake Purchase sack.
Oregon was content to grind the clock, and TTU took perfunctory timeouts, but they were completely defeated. The only question that remained was whether the Ducks would get another touchdown.
Oregon went for it on 4th and goal – because, why not? – and Davison scored his second TD of the day.
With only 19 seconds on the clock, 23-0 would be our final score.
Come back as we bring final games stats and game interviews!
Updated 12:25 pm PT
Category: General Sports
