Overview
- Oregon advanced from the Orange Bowl quarterfinal with the first shutout at the game since 1991 and the program’s first bowl shutout since 1917.
- Freshman cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. had three takeaways — two interceptions, including a pivotal end-zone pick, and a fumble recovery — and was named defensive MVP.
- Texas Tech’s high-powered offense managed 215 yards and nine first downs with four turnovers, as QB Behren Morton went 18-of-32 for 137 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble.
- Morton, who has exhausted his eligibility, grew emotional postgame as he accepted responsibility for the loss and reflected on his Red Raiders career.
- Conversation over the CFP format intensified as teams with first-round byes fell to 1-6 in the 12-team era, with Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire declining to blame the 26-day layoff and Oregon’s Dan Lanning urging calendar and site changes while commissioners discuss adjustments ahead of a Jan. 23 deadline.