Manny Diaz didn’t leave much room for debate after Duke’s win at NC State. When asked in his postgame press conference whether Nate Sheppard belongs in the Heisman conversation, the Blue Devils coach answered, “No question.”
That kind of backing makes sense after what Sheppard did Saturday afternoon in Raleigh. The Duke running back piled up 217 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns in the road win, then capped one of those trips to the end zone by flashing the “Heisman pose” as if to make the case himself.
Diaz leaned into the moment afterward, pointing to the weekly burden Sheppard puts on opposing defenses. Teams, he said, go into games trying to “stop 20” and still haven’t had much success doing it. Diaz also called Sheppard the “straw that stirs the drink” for Duke’s offense and said he’s absolutely one of the best players in the country.
The numbers and the production back up the coach’s enthusiasm. Sheppard has been delivering week after week, and Diaz made it clear he sees him as more than just one of the top running backs around.
Still, the Heisman board after Saturday’s games tells a different kind of story. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is now the odds-on favorite, and the list ahead of Sheppard is packed with passers.
Darian Mensah of Miami, Devon Dampier of Utah, Drew Mestemaker of Oklahoma State, Gunner Stockton of Georgia, Keelon Russell of Alabama, and LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina are all positioned ahead of him. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is there too.
Sheppard, though, gets another big stage right away. Duke heads to Miami in Week 11 for a matchup with the Hurricanes, a game that could matter plenty for the Blue Devils’ ACC title hopes. It also gives Sheppard a chance to make another statement in the Heisman race.
In Other News...
Jon Scheyer Sends Encouraging Early Message On Duke Freshman Joaquim Boumtje
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje has already become one of the more intriguing early storylines around Duke, not because everything has come easy, but because the freshman is showing enough to make the growing pains worth watching. The 17-year-old has had his share of uneven moments, including a modest outing against Coastal Carolina, yet he has still carved out meaningful minutes and flashed the kind of promise that stands out this early in the season.
Jon Scheyer has made clear the freshmans development is moving in the right direction, pointing to Boumtje Boumtjes coachability and the progress he has already made. For a player adjusting to college basketball while carrying the distinction of being the youngest player in Duke history, the process is still very much underway, and the next step will be how quickly he keeps turning those early reps into reliable impact. [Read more 🡒]
Nate Sheppard Is Turning Dukes Miami Test Into Something Bigger
Dukes rout of NC State did more than pad the win column. The 41-3 finish pushed the Blue Devils to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in ACC play, and it came with the kind of balance coaches love to see this time of year. Nate Sheppard powered the offense with 217 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while the defense kept NC State out of the end zone and held the Wolfpack to 217 total yards.
For a team trying to keep its place in the ACC race, the timing matters as much as the margin. Duke has now put together a performance that looked complete on both sides of the ball, and Sheppards breakout night only raises the stakes for what comes next. The bigger question is how much of that momentum carries into a tougher test ahead, where the Blue Devils will need to show this was more than just a one-night surge. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Suddenly Has Real Momentum Heading Into Its Biggest Test
A three-game winning streak has given Duke a much different feel as it heads into the stretch run, and the latest step was as convincing as it gets. The Blue Devils rolled past NC State 41-3, moved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in ACC play, and got a breakout day from running back Nate Sheppard, who powered the offense with 217 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Jaivon Solomon added a steady presence in the passing game with five catches for 71 yards and a score, while linebacker Bradley Gompers helped set the tone on defense with five tackles. Now the challenge gets far bigger, with Duke heading on the road to face No. 1 Miami in a matchup that will show whether this surge can carry over against the leagues top team. [Read more 🡒]