Duke Rallies Past Illinois for Impressive Road Win Behind Nate Sheppard, Walker Eget
Sheppard rushed for 147 yards and scored three times as Duke overcame a 24-14 deficit and sealed the win on fourth-and-1.
- On Saturday, the Duke Blue Devils extended their winning streak to six games with a 31-27 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, improving to 2-0 after rallying from a halftime deficit.
- Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard powered Duke's offense with 147 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, keeping the Blue Devils competitive as they trailed 24-21 at halftime.
- Quarterback Walker Eget threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns for Duke, while Illinois wide receiver Collin Dixon tallied 166 yards and three scores; Dixon tormented the Blue Devils throughout the afternoon.
- Defensive adjustments proved crucial as Duke held Illinois to just three second-half points; cornerback Evan Smith secured a pivotal late interception and Kyon Loud broke up a fourth-down pass to preserve the win.
- The Stanford Cardinal visit Duke on Saturday, September 19, while the Illinois Fighting Illini host Southern Illinois the same day as both teams look to address defensive inconsistencies.
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thesportsleader.comNate Sheppard dominates again as Duke comes back, outlasts Illinois
Running back Nate Sheppard accounted for 188 total yards and three touchdowns as Duke rallied for a 31-27 nonconference victory over Illinois on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill.Sheppard, who led the nation in Week 1 with 227 rushing yards, carried...
Sheppard shines again, leads Duke to 2-0 start after 31-27 win over Illinois
Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard tallied three total touchdowns, including two receiving scores, to help power the Blue Devils (2-0) to their 11th one-score victory under head coach Manny Diaz. Sheppard also eclipsed 100 yards for a third straight game, with 147 rushing yards on 24 carries.
Illinois has no answer for Nate Sheppard, whose 147 rushing yards and 3 total TDs fuel Duke’s 31-27 win
Duke running back Nate Sheppard slipped through the grasps of many Illinois defenders Saturday on the way to 147 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in the Blue Devils’ 31-27 win.
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