MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — With the chance to start 2026 off on a high, Texas Tech seemingly left its high-powered offense in 2025.
The Red Raiders’ College Football Playoff debut came to a rapid end, as No. 5 Oregon (13-1) beat No. 4 Tech (12-2) 23-0 in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium Thursday afternoon.
Tech’s offense, which ranked top-five in the nation in yards and points per game this season, was sluggish from the start, and a valiant effort from the Red Raiders defense wasn’t enough to knock off the Ducks.
Here are five thoughts from the Orange Bowl.
Red Raider offense struggles to dust off cobwebs
It had been 26 days since Texas Tech last played a game, and the Red Raiders struggled to hide that.
Tech went three and out on its first two drives before quarterback Behren Morton threw an interception that handed Oregon the ball in Tech territory. Tech struggled to stay on the field, as Oregon possessed the ball for over 21 minutes of the first half.
The Red Raiders were outgained 94-1 across four offensive drives before they recorded a first down, which came when J’Koby Williams broke free for a 50-yard run. That lone play accounted for most of Tech’s 88 yards of offense in the first half.
But even after the running back carried his team into Oregon territory, Tech settled for a 54-yard field goal attempt, which it missed.
In the second half, Tech could never put together a complete drive. Its best drive, which started with an interception by linebacker Ben Roberts, ended in Morton throwing an interception in the end zone when trying to hit Coy Eakin for a touchdown.
The Red Raiders became the first team since 2016 to be shut out in a College Football Playoff game.
Morton’s inaccuracies, mistakes contribute to Tech’s offensive issues
Tech hadn’t lost a game with its starting quarterback in the lineup all season until Thursday’s. Morton led the Red Raiders to many of their marquee wins, including both over BYU.
The Red Raiders were hopeful he’d be even sharper in the Orange Bowl with the chance to recover from a lingering injury. But against Oregon, he wasn’t at his best.
Morton finished with just 137 yards on 18 of 32 passing. He was also responsible for three turnovers, throwing two interceptions and being stripped by Matayo Uiagalelei, who set up a Jordon Davison rushing touchdown on the next play. Tech lost the turnover battle 4-1, and Oregon cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. had three of the takeaways.
Morton’s weapons weren’t much help, as no Tech player finished with more than 81 yards. Williams had the team-high, but the vast majority of his yards were from one play.
Tech defense makes key stops to keep game close
Tech’s defense did all it could in the first half to keep Thursday’s game close — and for a while, it succeeded.
The Red Raiders made play after play, either ending Oregon drives or forcing field goals instead of touchdowns.
Tech had eight tackles for loss in the first half, five in the first quarter and two sacks before halftime. Roberts crossed double-digit tackles before halftime.
The Orange Bowl could’ve gotten out of hand early if it weren’t for two critical fourth-down stops by the Tech defense. On Oregon’s second drive of the day, the Ducks looked to convert on 4th and 1 from the Tech 23-yard line, but defensive tackle Lee Hunter, who finished with seven tackles and two for loss, forced an Oregon loss of yardage and turnover on downs.
In the second quarter, Tech stopped Oregon on fourth and goal after the Ducks drove down to the 2-yard line on a lengthy drive that included a successful fake punt. But David Bailey broke up Dante Moore’s pass to keep the Ducks off the board.
Tech held Oregon to 8-of-27 on third and fourth down.
Roberts also intercepted Moore in the second half, leading to Tech’s best drive of the day, though the offense still couldn’t score.
Until the last minute of the game, the only touchdown Tech allowed was on a drive that started on its own 6-yard line.
Ducks, Dante Moore beat Red Raiders through air
Tech had the nation’s best run defense this season, allowing an average of 68.5 yards per game. That skill was on display Thursday, as the Red Raiders limited Oregon to just 1.4 yards per carry.
Tech held Oregon to just 64 yards rushing on 47 carries and one touchdown. Neither team ran the ball particularly well. Tech finished with 69 yards on 29 carries, but 50 yards came on William’s one run.
But Oregon’s offense typically makes opponents pay in a different way.
Moore finished with 234 yards on 26-of-33 passing, hitting 11 different receivers. Tech had little answer for the Ducks’ passing attack.
First-round bye curse continues
Tech secured a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff by beating BYU in the Big 12 championship — but maybe it would’ve been better off if it didn’t.
Since the playoff expanded to 12 teams last season, the first six teams that played a quarterfinal matchup after securing a first-round bye lost that game.
Last year, the teams that earned a bye went 0-4 in the quarterfinals. This year, Ohio State fell to Miami in the Cotton Bowl Wednesday night before Tech fell to an Oregon team fresh off a rout of James Madison.
Coaches are questioning whether having nearly four weeks off between championship weekend and New Year’s Bowls is really an advantage. So far, it doesn’t seem to be.
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