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5 major takeaways from Oregon Ducks’ 51-34 CFP win over James Madison

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5 major takeaways from Oregon Ducks’ 51-34 CFP win over James Madison


Ignore the scoreboard. Ignore the stat sheet. Ignore the litany of things that Dan Lanning, Tosh Lupoi, and Will Stein said after the game.

This was an ass-kicking by the Oregon Ducks, who beat the James Madison Dukes 51-34 on Saturday night in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Anyone who tuned in could see that. It doesn’t take advanced stats or high football IQ to see that the Ducks were the better, more talented team, and for the better part of 60 minutes, they did what they wanted to on the field.

Sure, giving up 34 points and over 500 yards of offense to a Group of Six team may not qualify as “championship-level” football to Lanning and his staff. However, if you’re going to mention what Oregon gave up, you have to also mention that those numbers were achieved by the Dukes late in the third and fourth quarter, when Oregon had literal fourth-string guys out there on the field.

Regardless, the standard is the standard in Eugene, and that wasn’t met for half of the game on Saturday. Ultimately, though, the Ducks won and will now move on to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the quarterfinals of the CFP. Before we preview that game, though, let’s further dive into this one and see what we can take away from the blowout.

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A Pissed Off Dan Lanning

If you want to look at things in a positive manner — which Oregon fans often do not, for some reason — then the result on Saturday night is just about as perfect as you could ask for. The Ducks destroyed their first-round opponent with a zero-stress game from start to finish, knocked whatever rust there may have been off, and left with a pissed off head coach who will be demanding better from his players for the next 10 days leading up to the quarterfinal matchup vs. the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Sounds pretty great when you put it that way, doesn’t it?

There were a lot of positives to take away from the day, but ultimately, it’s the way that Oregon finished that left Lanning calling this game “bigger sweet” after the game.

“The second half, as a team, we didn’t play the way we needed to be able to play,” Lanning said. “You’re going to find moments like that when you have a big lead to be able to choke somebody out. We didn’t do that.”

While the Ducks didn’t choke JMU out, and instead gave up a 99-yard touchdown drive late in the 4th quarter that allowed the Dukes to cover the 21.5-point spread, it was still a convincing enough win to give Oregon hope for the remainder of the CFP. When the starters were on the field, and the Ducks were clicking, they looked as good as any team we’ve seen in the nation this year, and one that can give a great game to the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl.

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Couple that with a pissed off Dan Lanning who wants more, and you might have a perfect storm brewing in Eugene.

No Rust to be Found

Coming into this game, there was a question about how the Ducks would deal with the rust that likely built up during the three weeks since their last game in the end of November. A year ago, during Oregon’s 25 days off between the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl, we saw Oregon lose a step, which proved fatal against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

If there was any rust that accumulated this year, it was not noticeable against James Madison.

The Ducks’ offense was a freight train early in this game, scoring on average a touchdown every four plays, and displaying an efficiency that we haven’t seen since the Chip Kelly era of Oregon football. At one point late in the second quarter, the Ducks had 34 points on 21 plays, with an average of 16.6 yards per play, 15.0 yards per carry, and 19.9 yards per completion. A few plays later in the third quarter, they took it up another level.

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I thought we might see a drive or two stall out in the first quarter of this game because of the rust, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, Oregon became the first team in CFP history to have five different players score five touchdowns on the first five drives of the game.

Rust wasn’t a factor here, to say the least. It will be interesting to see if Texas Tech can say the same thing 10 days from now.

Oregon’s WR Duo

Oregon’s WR health has been in question all year long, but on Saturday night, they finally got good news on that front. Both Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr. — Oregon’s two leading WRs who have been out since the beginning of November with injuries — suited up and got into the game for the Ducks. Of course, neither had a massive impact — Moore had one catch for five yards, while Bryant didn’t record any stats — but it was a great opportunity for both to knock some rust off and get back into the game before the stretch run of the playoffs.

There’s been an idea that, if Oregon could get healthy at the right time this year, they might be dangerous. Well, they appear to be healthy, with Evan Stewart potentially returning next week as well, and it’s coming when they need it the most.

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Benson and McClellan Make Statements

Despite Moore and Bryant Jr. returning to the field on Saturday, it was still clear that Malik Benson and Jeremiah McClellan have their roles in this offense, and they aren’t about to give them up any time soon. For starters, Benson was incredible in this game, hauling in five catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. The chemistry that he has developed with Dante Moore has been impressive to see, and his ability to use speed to get over the top of the defense is unmatched. He truly has turned into a game-breaking weapon for the Ducks over the past two months.

Similarly, McClellan has really blossomed and become one of the Ducks’ best possession receivers on the roster. His ability to make tough, contested catches dazzles each and every game, and it showed up once again on Saturday night, as he finished with six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Oregon’s offense might be getting Dakorien, Gary, and Evan back in the near future. However, that’s not going to detract from what Malik and Jeremiah can do on the field. Ultimately, it’s only going to make them harder to stop.

Look Out for Dante Moore Draft Buzz

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One of the biggest narratives for Oregon this year has been about what QB Dante Moore plans to do after this season: stay in Eugene for another year or head to the 2026 NFL draft.

If he continues to perform like he did on Saturday, then a draft declaration feels like a foregone conclusion.

Moore was magnificent, particularly early on, going without an incompletion until late in the second quarter while spreading the ball around and making big-time plays. In the end, he finished with 313 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-27 completions, while also adding a rushing TD as well. He also had a pair of interceptions that he would want back, but ultimately, it was an impressive performance.

Now, it will be interesting to see how his NFL stock rises because of it. In the first round of the CFP, there wasn’t particularly much great QB play to speak of, with the likes of Carson Beck, Ty Simpson, Trinidad Chambliss, John Mateer, and Marcel Reed all being the biggest names. Moore was far more impressive than that group.

So how will he compare against the likes of Fernando Mendoza, Julian Sayin, and Gunner Stockton? That’s going to be something to monitor. If he looks anything like he did in Round 1, though, the Ducks have a long CFP run ahead of them, and Moore might be off to the NFL in April.

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Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.



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Kotek signs sweeping immigrant justice package expanding school, healthcare protections in Oregon

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Kotek signs sweeping immigrant justice package expanding school, healthcare protections in Oregon


PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Gov. Tina Kotek held a ceremonial bill signing Thursday morning for a package of immigrant justice laws at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization in northeast Portland.

The package includes multiple measures affecting schools, courts, workplaces, law enforcement and healthcare:

  • House Bill 4079 requires K-12 schools and higher education institutions to adopt policies for responding when federal immigration authorities enter campus property.
  • House Bill 4111 prohibits using a person’s immigration status as evidence in civil cases, expands protections against workplace retaliation tied to work authorization updates and broadens profiling laws to include immigration status.
  • House Bill 4114 allows civil action against individuals who enter certain property without a warrant or legal exception.
  • House Bill 4138 requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves and limits the use of masks.
  • Senate Bill 1538 ensures equal access to public education by requiring school districts to admit all eligible students.
  • Senate Bill 1570, known as the Healthcare Without Fear Act, requires hospitals to establish policies for interactions with law enforcement and designate restricted areas not open to the public.
  • Senate Bill 1587 restricts public agencies from sharing personal data with brokers unless it will not be used for federal immigration enforcement.
  • Senate Bill 1594 directs the state to develop model policies related to immigration status in response to federal actions.

The healthcare measure requires hospitals to set procedures for law enforcement presence, assign a staff liaison and classify immigration status and place of birth as protected information. It also allows providers to share information about immigration rights and legal services with patients.

SEE ALSO: Multnomah County unanimously approves ordinance expanding sanctuary protections

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved an ordinance that codifies and expands the county’s sanctuary protections.

The law follows changes at the federal level that removed prior limits on immigration enforcement in locations like hospitals and schools. Supporters say the new policy aims to ensure patient privacy and maintain access to care regardless of immigration status.

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Oregon Republicans have raised concerns that state policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities could affect public safety. In a Feb. 2026 statement, the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus criticized Democratic lawmakers for rejecting a proposal that would have required coordination with federal officials when people without legal status are convicted of serious crimes.

Republican leaders said the policy debate centers on whether state agencies should notify federal authorities before releasing people convicted of violent felonies. Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr called such coordination “common sense.”



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Pivotal recruiting target for Ducks lists Oregon in top 5 schools

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Pivotal recruiting target for Ducks lists Oregon in top 5 schools


After the de-commitment of four-star Drew Fielder, the Oregon Ducks are back to the drawing board at the offensive tackle position for the 2027 recruiting class. They still have three-star Avery Michael, though he recently took a visit to Nebraska and doesn’t appear to be fully locked onto the Ducks.

That’s why the recruitment of four-star Caden Moss is gaining importance by the day, with the talented offensive tackle listing Oregon in his final five schools alongside LSU, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Ohio State.

Moss is the No. 5 OT and No. 58 player nationally, per 247 Sports Composite. He competes for Jackson Academy in Jackson, MS, where he’s the top-ranked player in the state.

Standing 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Moss already has the prototypical frame of a college lineman. At the high school level, he relies more on his physical ability than technical skills. Despite that, there appears to be untapped potential with his frame and athleticism, with nearly every high-level program in the country attempting to land his commitment.

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The Mississippi native visited Eugene in late March, writing in a post on X: “Enjoyed my time in Oregon.”

“My visit was great,” Moss told Rivals. “What stands out to me most about playing for Oregon is the development in the o-line room. The city was more than I expected. I heard it’s really nice in the summertime.”

The pairing of Michael and Moss at the tackle spots would be very beneficial for the Ducks program in the future, adding two talented players on the bookends of the offensive line. If Moss were to commit, he’d add his name to what is currently the No. 10 recruiting class and join offensive players in Michael and three-star running back Cadarius McMiller as future Ducks.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.



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Governor signs bill to help Oregon farm stands flourish; chief sponsor Breese-Iverson celebrates improvements

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Governor signs bill to help Oregon farm stands flourish; chief sponsor Breese-Iverson celebrates improvements


PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek joined Oregon farmers, advocates, and legislators at Topaz Farms on Sauvie Island on Wednesday to commemorate the signing of House Bill 4153, a bill from this year’s legislative session that protects existing farm stand permits and gives farmers new options to support the long-term success of their farms.

“Oregon’s family farms are the backbone of our rural economies, and this bill will help them adapt and succeed,” Kotek said. “This new law gives certainty to farmers who diversify their revenues through agritourism and on-site sales while still preserving and honoring the farmlands that make Oregon special.”

The law creates an optional permit for farms that want to open a small farm store on land zoned for farming. It also provides clearer guidelines for agritourism activities such as farm tours, educational exhibits, hayrides, and seasonal events while ensuring these uses serve as a supplement to farming activities, not a replacement.

“Agriculture collectively provides the largest economic impact to Oregon. It is the foundation of our state,” said the bill’s chief sponsor, state Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville). “This bill is a true example of what happens when ag champions come together for the industry and Oregonians. Signing HB 4153 into law secures a future for family farms in Oregon.”

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Breese-Iverson said the new permit overcomes the limitations of the previous law, which in many cases could prohibit family-friendly structures, require strict income caps, and not allow educational events.

Under the new law, she said, a farm operation will be allowed to sell farm products, offer local goods from other producers, and host limited agritourism events such as pumpkin patches, corn mazes, flower festivals, and farm tours at their farm store.

The Central Oregon lawmaker says the bill gives counties modern, clear, and enforceable rules to regulate access, egress, parking, hours of operation, noise, sanitation, and public health and safety. The bill prohibits using a farm store as a residence, hotel, café, or drive-thru.

HB 4153 was developed though a robust process with a broad coalition of stakeholders, including the governor and her advisory staff, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Oregon Property Owners Association, Oregon Farm Bureau, Association of Oregon Counties, and farmers across the state.

Topaz Farm co-owner Kat Topaz said, “At a time when most of us feel helpless, everyone together made this bill happen. It would have never passed without the overwhelming support from the public.”

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“Oregonians want to connect with farms and the farmers who grow their food. So many advocates made this happen: lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Farm Bureau, the Association of Counties and of course, the governor, who has been a huge supporter from the start.”

Others who joined the ceremonial signing include state legislators and representatives from the Oregon Farm Bureau, Travel Oregon, the Oregon Property Owners Association, the Association of Oregon Counties, Plumper Farms, Frog Pond Farm, Packer Orchards, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, and former State Senator Betsy Johnson.

Governor Kotek signed the legislation on a Topaz Farm picnic table that was surrounded by letters she received from students in Lincoln City who supported the legislation because of the enrichment opportunities available to them on farms in their region.

The law takes effect on Jan. 1, providing time for farmers and counties to learn more about the updated framework.

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