Duke football defeats Tulane 17-3 in season opening victory
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 3:12 PM
Last updated Sep 6, 2026
Duke opened its 2026 football season with a 17-3 victory over Tulane at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5. Running back Nate Sheppard paced the Duke offense with 227 rushing yards on 35 carries and two touchdowns. Quarterback Walker Eget made his debut for the team, completing 13-of-26 passes for 113 yards. The Duke defense held the Green Wave to 247 total yards, including less than 100 yards in the first half, and limited the visitors to three points. Duke head coach Manny Diaz secured his third career-opening win with the program. The Blue Devils offense totaled 382 yards, with 251 yards coming on the ground to support the victory.
- •Duke defeated Tulane 17-3 at Wallace Wade Stadium on Sept. 5.
- •Nate Sheppard rushed for a career-high 227 yards and two touchdowns.
- •The Duke defense held Tulane to 3-of-13 on third-down conversions.
- •Quarterback Walker Eget finished his debut with 113 passing yards.
- 3:12 PMYahoo Sports — Duke football’s defense made a statement in Week 1. PFF grades agree
- 12:01 PMYahoo Sports — Duke 17, Tulane 3: Position grades for the Blue Devils
- 12:33 AMYahoo Sports — Duke football report card: Grading Blue Devils after Tulane win in Week 1
"Here is how Duke football graded out per Pro Football Focus in its Week 1 win over Tulane to open the 2026 season.
"How did Duke football perform against Tulane? We hand out grades for the Blue Devils in their season opener.
"Handing out grades to each position following Duke's 17-3 victory over Tulane.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 3:12 PMDuke football’s defense made a statement in Week 1. PFF grades agree
Here is how Duke football graded out per Pro Football Focus in its Week 1 win over Tulane to open the 2026 season.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 12:01 PMDuke 17, Tulane 3: Position grades for the Blue Devils
Handing out grades to each position following Duke's 17-3 victory over Tulane.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 12:33 AMDuke football report card: Grading Blue Devils after Tulane win in Week 1
How did Duke football perform against Tulane? We hand out grades for the Blue Devils in their season opener.
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