Nate Sheppard leads Duke past Tulane in season-opening win
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 2:03 AM
Last updated Sep 6, 2026
Duke defeated Tulane 17-3 on Saturday in Durham after a weather-delayed start to the season. Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard carried the offense with a career-high 35 rushes for 227 yards and both of the team's touchdowns. Quarterback Walker Eget made his Blue Devils debut, finishing with 131 passing yards on 13-of-26 attempts. Defensively, Bryce Davis anchored the effort with six tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks, limiting the Green Wave to a single field goal. The victory marks a 1-0 start for the Blue Devils following their 2025 ACC championship season. Duke now prepares for a September 12 road game against Illinois, which opened its own season with a win over UAB.
- •Duke defeated Tulane 17-3 in its 2026 season opener.
- •Nate Sheppard set career highs with 35 carries and 227 rushing yards.
- •Bryce Davis recorded two sacks and three tackles for loss for the Duke defense.
- •Walker Eget debuted at quarterback, throwing for 131 yards.
- •Duke travels to face Illinois on September 12.
- 2:03 AMYahoo Sports — Duke 17, Tulane 3: Five Key Plays
- 12:58 AMYahoo Sports — Nate Sheppard Powers Duke Past Tulane
- 12:43 AMYahoo Sports — Nate Sheppard runs all over Tulane, leads Duke to opening win
- 12:26 AMYahoo Sports — Duke opens season 1-0 with 17-3 win over Tulane
"DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — After a delayed start due to inclement weather, the Duke Blue Devils opened the season with a 17-3 win over Tulane, starting the year 1-0. It wasn’t the flashiest performance, but Duke leaned heavily on its ground game to get the job done. Running back Nate Sheppard powered the Blue Devils […]
"Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard had career-highs in rushing yards and carries as the Blue Devils defeated the Tulane Green Wave 17-3.
"Running back Nate Sheppard powered the Duke Blue Devils past Tulane on Saturday as they opened up the 2026 season with a win.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 2:03 AMDuke 17, Tulane 3: Five Key Plays
Nate Sheppard is off to a badass start
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 12:58 AMNate Sheppard Powers Duke Past Tulane
Running back Nate Sheppard powered the Duke Blue Devils past Tulane on Saturday as they opened up the 2026 season with a win.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 12:43 AMNate Sheppard runs all over Tulane, leads Duke to opening win
Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard had career-highs in rushing yards and carries as the Blue Devils defeated the Tulane Green Wave 17-3.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 12:26 AMDuke opens season 1-0 with 17-3 win over Tulane
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — After a delayed start due to inclement weather, the Duke Blue Devils opened the season with a 17-3 win over Tulane, starting the year 1-0. It wasn’t the flashiest performance, but Duke leaned heavily on its ground game to get the job done. Running back Nate Sheppard powered the Blue Devils […]
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