Duke opens season with 17-3 victory over Tulane

Duke secured a 17-3 win against Tulane on September 6, 2026, marking a successful start to the season for head coach Manny Diaz. Running back Nate Sheppard led the offensive effort with a career-high 227 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. Duke quarterback Walker Eget completed 13 of 27 passes for 131 yards in his team debut without committing a turnover. The Duke defense limited Tulane to 271 total yards, including just 55 yards on the ground. This performance reflects a significant improvement for the Blue Devils, who previously struggled defensively during the 2025 campaign. Tulane faces early questions following the graduation of quarterback Jake Retzlaff and the hiring of coach Will Hall, coming off a season where the program participated in the College Football Playoff.

• 1:03 AMYahoo Sports — Instant takeaways from Duke 17, Tulane 3