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The College Football Playoff is here, and Saturday’s late game features No. 11-seeded James Madison going on the road to face fifth-seeded Oregon.

It’s an opportunity for the Ducks — and head coach Dan Lanning — to prove that last season’s early exit was a fluke. In 2024, after finishing undefeated as Big Ten champions, Oregon stumbled in the second round of the playoff, losing 41-21 to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Aside from a 30-20 loss to Indiana earlier this season, the Ducks have been dominant at home.

For James Madison, the game represents a chance to validate its playoff inclusion despite playing in the Group of Five Sun Belt Conference. After five-loss Duke won the ACC championship game, the selection committee awarded bids to two non–Power Four conference champions: JMU and Tulane.

The Dukes are 12-1 this season, with their lone loss coming against Louisville. Still, James Madison is expected to be overmatched from a talent standpoint, and playing on the road at Autzen Stadium is a daunting task for any opponent. Oregon enters the game as a 21-point favorite, and ESPN’s FPI gives the Ducks an 88.2% chance to win.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights as Oregon hosts James Madison in the first round of the 2025 CFP bracket. Follow along with the action below.

STREAM: Watch Oregon vs. James Madison live with DirecTV

Oregon vs. James Madison football score

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Oregon vs. James Madison live updates, highlights from 2025 College Football Playoff 

All times Eastern. 

8:23 p.m.: MISSED FIELD GOAL— Oof, JMU kicker Morgan Suarez has his field goal attempt blocked to give Oregon the ball back. There is just no margin for error here, as those costly penalties killed that JMU spark early in the drive. 

8:21 p.m.: Man, JMU with a couple penalties that have killed the momentum here after that trick play. A false start and a holding penalty backs the Dukes way up to the 23, likely to settle for a field goal here. 

8:15 p.m.: JAMES MADISON WITH A TRICK PLAY RAN TO PERFECTION! A double pass on 3rd-and-9 gives the Dukes a 1st-and-goal. Look at this beauty!

THE JMU DUKES DOUBLE PASS

pic.twitter.com/t50j41vB7a

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 21, 2025

What a play! Folks, we got a ball game on our hands. 

Oregon 13, JMU 3, 2:37 1Q

8:08 p.m.: Well, the Ducks offense is wasting no time here. Dante Moore scampers into the end zone for a five-yard rushing score to give Oregon back a two-score lead.

Dante Moore takes it himself to extend the Ducks’ lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iyckKBS2Ug

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 21, 2025

The Ducks have two scores on nine total offensive plays so far! 

8:05 p.m.: Oof, a missed tackle and Dierre Hill Jr. takes it on a 40 yard reception to the JMU 32. A few short plays later, Oregon is back in the JMU red zone. 

Oregon 6, JMU 3 5:14 1Q

7:58: FIELD GOAL— Smart play by the Dukes here, taking the points on 4th down. JMU kicker Morgan Suarez nails the 30-yard field goal to make it a three-point game. 

That was an impressive drive by the Dukes to get things started, and it was also one that took a whopping eight minutes off the clock. Longest drive for the Dukes this season! 

7:54 p.m.: JMU is now 2-for-2 on 4th down conversions in this opening drive, running Wayne Knight up the middle on 4th-and-1. This is a heck of an opening drive and response here from the Dukes, who are deep in Oregon territory!

7:52 p.m.: JMU goes for it on 4th-and-2, and Alonzo Barnett III hits Lacota Dippre for a  first down. Love the aggressiveness from the Dukes! 

7:50 p.m.: JMU gets the ball back, and running back Wayne Knight goes 24 yards up the left sideline for a nice gain. JMU is across midfield!  

Oregon 6, JMU 0, 13:17 1Q

7:44 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN— That didn’t take long! Jamari Jackson hauls in a long 41-yard touchdown pass from Dante Moore to take the early lead.

Jamari Johnson

WHAT A ONE HAND SNAG

first playoff TD in Autzen pic.twitter.com/CXsDrxnPgw

— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) December 21, 2025

Oregon tried a two-point conversion which failed after the score. 

Let’s see how JMU’ responds here. 

7:40 p.m.: Dante Moore and the Oregon Ducks get the ball to start. Let’s see how quickly the Ducks can come out of the gate. 

7:38 p.m.: Kickoff is coming up here!  

7:09 p.m.: Looks like kickoff will be in just around 30 minutes in Eugene. Let’s get this thing started!

6:35 p.m.: Can JMU represent the non-power conference teams better than Tulane has so far? The Green Wave are down 41-3 to Ole Miss in the fourth quarter. 

6:30 p.m.: We are just about an hour until kickoff! Who ya got in this one? The atmosphere should be electric in Autzen. 

How to watch Oregon vs. James Madison

Oregon vs. James Madison start time 

• Date: Saturday, Dec. 20 
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday night’s game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Autzen Stadium is expected to be rocking, as this season marks the first time the Ducks are hosting a playoff game. Oregon crowds have sold out all year, so the atmosphere for a game of this stature should be unmatched.

What channel is Oregon vs. James Madison on today? 

• TV channel: TNT/truTV
• Streaming: HBO Max, DirecTV

Oregon’s game against James Madison will air live on TNT and TruTV. Fans can stream the game live on HBO Max or with DirecTV. 

College Football Playoff schedule 2025

Dec. 19

Dec. 20

Dec. 31 

Jan. 1

Jan. 8

Jan. 9

Jan. 19