Oregon’s Defense Shuts Out Texas Tech, Books CFP Semifinal Date

The Wall in Green and Yellow

ARLINGTON, Texas — On a slate-gray Saturday that felt more like early January than late December, Oregon’s defense authored a storybook shutout, blanking Texas Tech 27-0 and punching the Ducks’ ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Zero Points, Maximum Noise

From the opening whistle, the Red Raiders looked like they were running into a brick wall wearing cleats. Oregon’s front seven spent more time in the Tech backfield than the Tech running backs, piling up five sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble that set the tone before the nachos got cold.

“We talked all week about owning the line of scrimmage,” linebacker Jeffrey Bassa said afterward, still breathing hard. “Tonight we didn’t just own it—we put up a fence and charged admission.”

Offense Does Enough, Defense Does Everything

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel didn’t need superhero numbers; 214 yards and two touchdowns were plenty when your defense turns every Tech drive into a pumpkin. By the final gun, the Ducks had held the nation’s No. 6 scoring offense to just 185 total yards and 2-for-14 on third down.

• 5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss
• 2 interceptions (both in the red zone)
• Zero points allowed—only the third shutout in Oregon history against a ranked foe

Next Stop: The Final Four

The victory sends No. 2 Oregon to the CFP semifinals in New Orleans on Jan. 9, where they’ll face either Georgia or Ohio State depending on tomorrow’s committee reveal. For a program that has come agonizingly close to the sport’s biggest stage, the shutout felt like a statement scribbled in neon.

Coach Dan Lanning, soaked in sports drink and satisfaction, put it simply: “Defense travels, and tonight it traveled first class.”