The top-ranked Oregon Ducks defeated No. 3 Penn State 45-37 in a thrilling Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium, capping off an undefeated inaugural season in the conference.
Amid a game stacked with future NFL talent, Oregon’s Tez Johnson—a 5’10”, 165-pound wide receiver from Pinson, Alabama—stole the spotlight. Johnson’s stellar performance earned him the title of Big Ten Championship Game MVP.
“It takes a lot of grit, but I know I had good faith behind me in my teammates and God. Without my teammates, I’m nothing, and also without God, I’m nothing. Words can’t even describe how I feel,” Johnson said during his CBS post-game interview.
Johnson delivered a career-defining game, recording 11 receptions for 181 yards—a championship game record—and one touchdown. Despite battling injuries earlier in the season, he rose to the occasion against Penn State’s highly ranked defense, which had allowed just 169 passing yards and 14 points per game on average. Johnson outpaced their defensive benchmarks single-handedly, showcasing his dominance.
Whether in man or zone coverage, Johnson’s presence on the field forced Penn State to adjust their defense constantly. His quickness and playmaking ability created a matchup nightmare, a hallmark of Oregon’s offensive success this season.
“We practice like that every Tuesday, so to me, it felt like a normal day,” Johnson remarked, reflecting on the high-intensity game.
With the victory, Oregon became the first college football team to defeat Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State in the same season. Johnson’s cumulative impact across those games? A remarkable 29 receptions, 351 yards, and three touchdowns.
As the College Football Playoff selection approaches, Oregon is poised to claim the No. 1 seed and looks primed for a championship run. With Tez Johnson leading the charge, the Ducks are a force to be reckoned with on their quest for a national title.
