Duke football defeats Tulane in season opener

Duke head coach Manny Diaz led the Blue Devils to a 17-3 victory over Tulane in the team's season opener on September 6, 2026. The game followed a 90-minute weather delay, after which Duke controlled the pace with an 18-play opening drive that lasted 10 minutes and concluded with a touchdown. Diaz credited the win to the team's ability to maintain its physical identity on both lines of scrimmage and effectively manage defensive adjustments throughout the contest. Nate Sheppard played a primary role in the ground game, aided by an offensive line and tight end group that utilized heavier personnel packages. While Diaz expressed satisfaction with the defensive effort and overall program direction, he noted that the team failed to capitalize on multiple red zone opportunities that could have expanded the lead earlier.

• 4:15 PMYahoo Sports — Everything Duke HC Manny Diaz said following the Blue Devils' 17-3 win