Miami Lakes, FL – We must have been watching a different game than many other pundits who reported Oregon defeated Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl with an overwhelming defense. Instead, Collegefootballfan.com witnessed an underwhelming, inept, unmotivated Texas Tech Red Raider offense. Incapable of challenging a good Oregon defense, this contest fell far below our expectations. Had we been watching this game on TV, with no other games on, we would have turned this off to try to find a good movie, even one we had already seen.

Maybe the Red Raiders expected their defense to dominate to win. To be honest, the Red Raider defense put up a fight. They impressed more than did the Duck defense even though they did not register the shutout. Whenever the ball changed hands to their offense, all Texas Tech energy dissipated from the field. Even a friend who texted while watching from home commented it seemed like any time a Raider ball carrier even got touched, it looked like he just fell down.

Aside from the lack of energy, during the course of 22 games this season at all levels of NCAA football, Raider QB Behren Morton (18 for 32, 136 yards, 2 INTs) showed the least amount of leadership and skill in any game we attended. Ok, we rank him even now with Oregon State’s “big-arm QB,” Malik Murphy. Another media fallacy. Morton lacked any zip on his passes. He also lacked charisma to lead this team. Unbelievably, he played the entire game. HC Joey Maguire evidently had no one better to replace him. Red Raider fans whom we sat among stated that they were used to seeing their offense get off to slow starts. However, even they even became frustrated and more surprised with their team’s lack of offense as this game continued.

Ducks relied on Sappington in first half

Oregon scored at 10:51 into the game on Atticus Sappington’s 50-yard FG. The Raiders’ defense forced two punts thereafter and took over twice with turnovers on downs in the first half. The second Oregon score came after the Raiders a stopped the Ducks at the goal line on a fourth and two. The Oregon score resulted following a fumble recovered by DB Brandon Finney on the Tech subsequent possession at Tech’s 29. The best the Oregon offense could muster, however, came once again on the foot of Sappington for 39-yard FG. The Raider defense always answered the call when their offense put their backs against the wall. They allowed 155 yards in the first half. The score at half put the Ducks up, 6-0. Oregon allowed 85, but attribute that to a very poor offensive effort on the part of Texas Tech.

Not what we expected in a national semi-final

To Finney’s credit, he picked off a Morton pass that only resulted in another Oregon punt. However, the Morton’s pass he picked was a weak, errant floater easy for picking. Morton consistently put air under most of his passers. He did not impress with a strong arm. Hard for us this understand how this team scored so many points during the course of the season. Maybe his arm was sore. However, Maguire made no move to spark his inept offense with a stronger, take-charge QB. As one who came primarily to watch a good, competitive game, watching the Texas Tech offense wasn’t worth to price of the CFP tickets we paid for.

Defense; Defense!

Both sides started strong in the third period. Of course, Tech punted after a three-and-out. WR Malik Benson, a Florida State transfer as noted by Guest Game Analyst Zach Rittle (Penn State/Temple alum) returned the punt to the Tech 41. On fourth and two at Techs’ 42, All-American LB and Bednarik winner Jacob Rodriguez stopped QB Dante Moore for no gain. The Tech defense rose to the occasion once again. Next play so did Oregon’s. LB Matayo Uiagalelei rushed Morton not only for a sack, but he took the ball from him like taking a baby out of its mother’s arms. Oregon had the ball at Tech’s six. Jordon Davison took it in from there to give Oregon a 13-0 lead.

Texas Tech’s next possession resulted with a turnover on downs at Oregon’s 34. Late in the third, Oregon’s drive ended with LB Ben Roberts INT to give Tech possession again at the 45. On several occasions, Tech RB J’Koby Williams took hand-offs for the same off-tackle play run many times. Now, he would stop or hesitate each time before he hit the line. The running game was going nowhere for the Raiders. The play-calling just seemed to lack any imagination. Oregon could see what was coming.

Big Day for Oregon Freshman DB Finney and PK Sappington

Despite that, the Raiders seemed ready to score as the final period began. On first and goal at the nine, through binoculars I watched Finney read Morton’s eyes. In the end zone he snared the hanging pass in front of the intended receiver to end this threat. Oregon started back in action up 13-0 on their 20. Once again, the Raider defense forced a punt. Sappington entered again to put up three from 43 to extend Oregon’s lead to 16-0 with 7:53 remaining. Four downs later, the Raiders turned the ball over on downs on their 30. Four plays later, Sappington missed a field goal from 36. This became a game of futility. With 6:53 left to play, this game was over. Texas Tech presented no threat to come back.

Frustration fuels final score

The Tech offense converted on first down after starting from their 20. Again, without a doubt, the inept, spiritless offense turned it over on downs on their 36. For Texas Tech All-American DE David Bailey (nine tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss), frustration took over. He started to mix things up with the Ducks. On their drive starting in great field position at the TT 27, the Ducks looked as if they only intended to run out the clock.

However, on a second and eight at the 16, he stopped Jayden Limar for a one-yard run. Along the sideline, he got flagged for an unsportsmanlike. This defense that fought so hard all game now felt the impact of a letdown from its offense’s inadequate performance. The call gave Oregon a first down at the seven. With 16 seconds to play, Davison’s one-yard run finalized the score, 23-0. Not the result, but Tech’s offensive effort made this game a total disappointment to watch. Sorry to say.

Montana State and Oregon – right where we started this season

Attending championhsip games this season came as our quest to assure tht we would see both the FBS and FCS chajmpions this season. Well back on August 30, little diid we know we may have already achieved that goal. In Eugene, we saw Oregon Host Montnana State. Oregon whipped the FCS Bobcats, 59-13. Well, on Monday january 5, we will attned the FCS Championship game to see Montana State take on surprisong Illionis State (12-4). We expected to see North dakota State pllay once again for teh title, but teh Redbirds surprise them and followed ups with wins over UC Davis and Villanova to meet the Bobcats.

On Friday this week, Oregon comes back east to play in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl for the CFP semi-final against No. 1 Indiana, 38-3 winner over Alabama. We also watched the Hoosiers earlier this season when they blasted 3-0 Illinois on their Big Ten opener, 63-10. We expect this game to be much closer. IU defeated the Ducks in Eugene a few weeks after we saw them play, 30-20. Normally, we feel that it’s tough to defeat a college football opponent twice in one season. We don’t see the Hoosiers letting up under HC Curt Cignetti in this one though.

Great Expectations!

Once again, we hope to see a great game. Of course, on January 19, we will be back in Miami for the FBS title game. One of these two will also be there, winner takes on winner of Thursday Night’s Fiesta Bowl between Ole Miss and Miami. We met our goal this year. We will see the FBS and FCS champion for sure. May already have, What a season!