EUGENE — Pat Kilkenny is synonymous with Oregon baseball. The former UO athletic director’s name is literally on the stadium.
Kilkenny was instrumental in restoring the baseball program after a 27-year hiatus and credits his father, Bob, with instilling a work ethic and love of sports.
Bob Kilkenny was a wheat farmer from Heppner and though he briefly attended UO, his five children — Russell, Patrick, Kelly, John, and Kevin — each became Ducks.
In August 2008, Bob Kilkenny was aboard a John Deere excavator for the ground breaking of PK Park. Bob passed in May 2016, but now he too will forever be tied to the program, which officially dedicated Bob Kilkenny Field at PK Park before Friday’s series opener against Washington.
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“My dad was there every of the way,” Pat Kilkenny said. “Look where we are now; we have college baseball fans in Eugene. Those didn’t really exist before. … It never gets old making your dad proud.”
A logo featuring five blades of wheat — symbolizing each of Bob’s children — is on the outfield fence and behind home plate. The Ducks are wearing the logo on their helmets for the weekend series and each base at PK Park features the logo as well.
No. 5 Oregon won Friday’s game 5-0 in front of 3,866, including the entire Kilkenny family, who took part in a pregame ceremony.
“To have the whole family here, we gave the game ball to Pat obviously, in honor of Bob and what the family wanted to do for that great legacy,” Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski said.
The field dedication was the latest fundraising effort headed by Diamond Ducks, the business backed by UO donors supporting the baseball program fund additional scholarships and name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for players.
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“To do something to honor somebody that cared a lot, that mattered a lot and raise some money doing it too,” Pat Kilkenny said. “We had an opportunity to offer more scholarships, which I think gives our baseball program a real opportunity to be on the national stage for a long time. I think we’re giving our coaches a chance and our fans, people that are showing up and showing support.
“It’s not about one or two or three people providing resources, it becomes about big community involvement. I think some of us get too much credit. It’s a lot more fun when everybody takes ownership and everybody takes pride in it. It’s not always just about money. How about just coming out to the ballpark and having a good night and supporting the team because winning at home with a full crowd is a lot easier.”
The No. 5 Oregon Ducks defeated the No. 12 James Madison Dukes 51-34 in their first-round College Football Playoff matchup on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium. With the win, the Ducks secured their first playoff victory since 2014 and are one of the eight remaining teams with a shot at the national championship. Oregon is looking to secure its first in school history and give generations of Ducks fans a memory that will last a lifetime.
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Following the first-round win over James Madison, the Ducks’ national championship odds remained the same. Entering Saturday night’s playoff matchup, Oregon had the fourth-best odds to win the national championship at +800, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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With the win over James Madison, Oregon still ranks No. 4 in national championship odds at +800. No. 2 Ohio State (+180), No. 1 Indiana (+320), and No. 3 Georgia (+500) are the three teams ahead of the Ducks in odds to win the national championship. The Ducks are tied with their quarterfinal opponent, the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders, at +800.
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
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Oregon’s Dominating Offensive Performance vs. James Madison
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the first quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
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Oregon’s offense was red-hot from its opening drive as the Ducks became the first team in CFP history to score a touchdown on its first five offensive possessions. The Ducks had a 34-6 lead heading into halftime with quarterback Dante Moore throwing for 211 yards and recording four total touchdowns, and one interception on 11-of-14 passing in the first half. Moore finished the game throwing for 313 yards, four touchdown passes, and two interceptions on 19-of-27 passing.
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Three different Oregon receivers collected touchdowns in the win over James Madison, including Malik Benson, Jeremiah McClellan, and Jamari Johnson. Benson led the Ducks in receiving in the win with five receptions, 119 yards, and two touchdowns.
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Malik Benson (4) makes a catch for a touchdown during the third quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
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Oregon running back Jordon Davison led the Ducks in rushing with 10 carries for 90 yards. Dierre Hill Jr. also collected a rushing touchdown, along with six carries for 76 yards in the win. In his first game back from injury, running back Jayden Limar returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.
Concerns On Defense For Oregon?
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Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes tight end Lacota Dippre (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
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James Madison’s offense found success in certain moments of the game against Oregon. The Dukes’ first two offensive possessions of the game challenged Oregon’s defense. Two holding penalties led to a blocked field goal on a promising drive for the Dukes, which stalled their offensive momentum in the first half.
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The Dukes scored four touchdowns in the second half, with wide receivers Nick DeGennaro and George Pettaway recording touchdown receptions. Tight end Lacota Dippre and quarterback Alonza Barnett III both recorded rushing touchdowns. James Madison had 509 total yards of offense against Oregon’s defense, compared to the Ducks’ 514.
Despite the win and the Ducks taking out most of their defensive starters in the second half, some fans may walk away disappointed with how Oregon performed defensively during multiple drives in the game. A poor defensive performance won’t cut it if Oregon hopes to make a run at the national championship.
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Early Orange Bowl Preview vs. Texas Tech
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Jadon Canady (22) celebrates after a play during the second quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
With the win, Oregon advances to the CFP Quarterfinal, where they’ll face off against the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. The kickoff from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is scheduled for 9 a.m. PT on ESPN
The Orange Bowl matchup between the Ducks and the Red Raiders will be the fourth all-time meeting and the first since Oregon defeated Texas Tech 38-30 in Lubbock in 2023. Oregon leads the all-time series 3-0 against Texas Tech.
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Defense will be a massive key in the Orange Bowl, as the Ducks and Red Raiders have two of the best defenses in college football. Whoever makes the most game-changing plays on defense will likely advance to the CFP Semifinal at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 9.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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The first round of the College Playoff is the next step for top-level teams to take on the road for the National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The top team in the Sun Belt Conference faces off against one of the top teams in the Big East with the hopes to move deeper in post-season play.
The No. 12-ranked James Madison Dukes (12-1) take on the No. 5-ranked Oregon Ducks (11-1) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, Dec. 20 with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT
At a Glance: How to Watch James Madison Dukes vs. Oregon Ducks Online
Want to catch first round game live? Below is a quick guide on the best ways to watch James Madison vs. Oregon online.
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How to Watch James Madison Dukes vs. Oregon Ducks Game Online
The James Madison-Oregon game airs on TNT. If you don’t have cable, the best way to watch the pro football game is with DirecTV, which offers TNT in all of their packages. Here’s a breakdown of our favorite streaming options, including free trial and pricing information:
best overall
DirecTV
Pros: Free trial, affordable genre packs Cons: Not as many entertainment channels in genre packs as other options
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Watch the CFP game online with DirecTV. The streaming service offers various streaming options, while it carries TNT in everyone of its packages. Prices start at $49.99 for the first month and $89.99 per month afterwards for DirecTV’s “Entertainment” package. The streamer even offer a five-day free trial.
Hulu + Live TV carries TNT for James Madison vs. Oregon livestream. It starts at $89.99 per month, but you get access to more than 95 channels. Subscribers also get access to Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited, and Hulu’s full on-demand library of movies, TV shows, and originals. Meanwhile, Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial to start watching the game.
Best Wallet-Friendly
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Sling TV
Pros: Tons of channels, easy to use Cons: Requires combination of packages + add-ons, no free trial
Sling is the more wallet-friendly live TV streaming service option. College football fans can use to watch James Madison Dukes vs. Oregon on TNT with the Sling Orange package with prices starting at $45.99 per month. Unfortunately, the streaming service does not currently offer a free trial.
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Please note: Pricing and channel availability varies from location to location. Learn more about Sling TV here.
Best for ORiginals
HBO Max
Pros: Hollywood blockbusters, prestige TV, live sports and news Cons: No free trial
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You can also watch TNT Sports games, like James Madison vs. Oregon, on HBO Max. Unfortunately, HBO Max does not currently offer a free trial, but it’s relatively affordable with their ad-supported plan starting at $9.99 per month.
James Madison Dukes vs. Oregon Ducks: Date, Start Time, Location
The James Madison-Oregon game takes place at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, Dec. 20, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
James Madison Dukes vs. Oregon Ducks Predictions & Odds
For the first round of the CFP, the Oregon enter the game as the heavy favorite. Right now, the Ducks are a -21.5-point favorite to win. Meanwhile, as the underdog, the James Madison Dukes have a 950 moneyline, while Oregon sit at -2,000.
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Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart (#7) signals for a first down during a Big Ten college football game between the No. 1 Ducks and No. 20 Illinois at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday Oct. 26, 2024. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
If Evan Stewart is going to return to the field this season, it’s unlikely to be in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
The Oregon receiver, who has missed the whole season recovering from a torn right meniscus, was downgraded to doubtful for Saturday’s game between the No. 5 Ducks and No. 12 seed James Madison.
It’s not a surprising development, as Stewart appeared limited during the open portion of Monday’s practice.
Receivers Dakorien Moore (knee) and Gary Bryant Jr. (ankle) are listed as questionable for a third straight day, as are cornerback Sione Laulea and safety Trey McNutt (leg).
Moore posted “back” to social media on Thursday and Laulea indicated he was returning to play as well.
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No. 12 James Madison (12-1) at No. 5 Oregon (11-1)
When: Saturday, Dec. 20
Time: 4:30 p.m. PT
Where: Autzen Stadium
TV: TNT/HBO Max
Stream: You can watch this game on DIRECTV(free trial) or with Sling (a Sling day pass to watch this game and more is just $4.99). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.
James Crepea is the Oregon Ducks beat reporter and Big Ten sports reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive. He primarily covers football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and softball, as well as…
