James Madison got into the College Football Playoff thanks to complete chaos in the ACC.
Can the Dukes make it more than one-and-done as the biggest underdog of the first round, where they travel to face Oregon?
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James Madison (12-1) was a surprise entry in this year’s field as the fifth-ranked conference champion, giving the Sun Belt Conference its first-ever playoff team.
The Ducks (11-1) suffered their only loss to the No. 1 seed in the playoff, Indiana, which beat them 30-20 in Eugene.
While Oregon QB Dante Moore has become a well-known name in the sport by completing 72% of his passes in his first year as a starter and positioning himself to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he decides to declare, JMU’s QB is far from a household name
A lot of people will be seeing Dukes QB Alonza Barnett III for the first time. This season, he’s 193-of-322 passing for 2,533 yards, 21 TDs and 8 interceptions. He also has 115 carries for 544 yards and 14 scores. Will Barnett and Co. be able to handle the crowd at Autzen Stadium? James Madison has a stingy rushing defense, but it also hasn’t faced a running attack close to that of Oregon.
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If JMU can slow Oregon’s run game down, then the Dukes have a chance. If Oregon can get what it wants on the ground, the bigger question won’t be if Oregon can win, but if the Ducks can cover that three-touchdown spread.
Follow along below as the Yahoo Sports crew breaks down all of the action. Here’s how to watch JMU vs. Oregon and the rest of the College Football Playoff games.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Nick Bromberg
Whether or not Oregon can cover the 20.5-point spread.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Utter domination by the Ducks. Can the Dukes get anything going in the second half?
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Yahoo Sports Staff
The Dukes convert the turnover into points, with a 38-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first half. That doesn’t do much to cut into the massive deficit.
Oregon 34, JMU 6
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Yahoo Sports Staff
That’s one way to slow down the Ducks’ offense. JMU’s Elijah Culp picks off Dante Moore to give the Dukes a much-needed positive play near the end of the first half.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Oregon’s offensive numbers so far:
-349 total yards
-21 plays
-16.6 yards per play
-8:57 time of possession
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Dante Moore hits Dakorien Moore for a 46-yard TD. That’s 5 TDs on 5 drives for the Ducks. They can’t be stopped.
Oregon 34, JMU 3
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Nick Bromberg
How soon will Oregon leave the starters in?
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Dante Moore floats a 20-yard TD toss to Jeremiah McClellan in the corner of the end zone. This is a clinic for the Ducks.
Oregon 27, JMU 3
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Nick Bromberg
The Ducks can just do anything they want against the Dukes. It’s clear that Oregon realizes just how much more team speed it has and is utilizing that by pushing the JMU defense both horizontally and vertically.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Dierre Hill Jr. breaks loose and toe-taps the sideline for a 56-yard TD run. Oregon continues to be explosive.
Oregon 20, JMU 3
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Morgan Suarez’s 40-yard attempt is blocked by Tionne Gray, and after the big play the Dukes come up empty.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
JMU receiver Nick DeGennaro receives a toss, then throws it deep to a wide-open Landon Ellis for a 50-yard gain. That sets up the Dukes for a first and goal at the 10 as the 1st quarter ends.
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Nick Bromberg
But the Dukes cannot bring field goals to a touchdown fight
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Yahoo Sports Staff
The Ducks have piled up 143 yards and 13 points on 9 plays so far.
That’s efficiency!
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Yahoo Sports Staff
QB Dante Moore takes it himself for a 5-yard TD run. That’s two drives, two LIGHTNING quick scores for the Ducks.
Oregon 13, JMU 3
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Morgan Suarez kicks a 30-yard field goal to get James Madison on the board. Solid first drive for the Dukes.
Oregon 6, JMU 3
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Yahoo Sports Staff
The Dukes have already converted a 4th down and have a nice first drive going, with the ball nearing scoring range.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Dante Moore fires a 41-yard TD pass up the middle to Jamari Johnson, who snags it out of the air with one hand. The Ducks are quickly on top. A 2-point try fails.
Oregon 6, JMU 0
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Yahoo Sports Staff
The final game of the CFP first round has begun. Oregon receives the opening kick and will start with the ball.
