Duke walked out of Week 2 with a statement win, knocking off Illinois 31-27 as the underdog and pushing its record to 2-0.
The Blue Devils got a polished day from quarterback Walker Eget, who went 15 of 21 for 206 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The only concern came late, when Eget exited in the fourth quarter, something to keep an eye on going forward.
Even with Eget efficient, the offense really belonged to Nate Sheppard. The running back piled up 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, then added five catches for 41 yards and two more scores.
After going for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries in Week 1, Sheppard is making a serious early-season case as one of the best backs in college football. The source also notes that Sheppard will continue to lead the Blue Devils' offense in the 2026 season.
Jonah Burton gave Duke another reliable target, finishing with four receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Duke got a key takeaway from Evan Smith, who intercepted Katin Houser in the fourth quarter. Houser still put up numbers for Illinois, completing 24 of 35 passes for 271 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
The Blue Devils also did enough against the run, holding Illinois to 111 yards on 32 carries, a 3.5-yard average, and keeping the Fighting Illini out of the end zone on the ground. The one area Manny Diaz will want cleaned up is the pass rush, since Duke did not record a sack in the win.
That matters with tougher games ahead and teams like the Miami Hurricanes in the mix as Duke tries to chase a second straight ACC title. Even after losing quarterback Darian Mensah in the transfer portal, Diaz and Duke have stayed strong, and they’ll look to move to 3-0 against Stanford.
In Other News...
Duke's Huge Road Win Came With One Worry Fans Can't Ignore
Dukes 31-27 road win at Illinois gave the Blue Devils a valuable early-season rsum piece, and it came with a lot to like on both sides of the ball. Walker Eget managed the offense well, Jonah Burton provided the top receiving spark, and Evan Smith delivered the kind of defensive play that can swing a game away from home.
Still, the final minutes left one concern hanging over an otherwise encouraging night. Egets late injury was enough to put a brief scare into the Duke sideline, and while the offense held together, the Blue Devils are now left hoping their quarterback can keep building on that performance. Jared Richardson, meanwhile, is still waiting for his season to catch up to the rest of the attack. [Read more 🡒]
Former Duke Star Mark Williams Hit With Another Tough NBA Setback
Former Duke center Mark Williams is facing another setback in the NBA, where his career has already been shaped by injuries and interruptions. Now with the Phoenix Suns, Williams is coming off a summer that was supposed to build momentum after four professional seasons, but instead has turned into another frustrating stop on the road.
The issue traces back to an offseason workout, where he suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Williams had surgery to repair the injury and is expected to be out for an extended period, leaving yet another question mark around a former Blue Devil whose talent has never been the concern, only the availability. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Is Hanging Around At Illinois For One Very Revealing Reason
Duke is still in the thick of its non-conference game at Illinois after a first half that swung back and forth, with the Blue Devils answering early pressure and finding enough offense to keep the margin tight. Illinois built its lead with a sharp passing start and the kind of early rhythm that put Duke on its heels, but the Blue Devils stayed attached thanks to a run game that kept producing usable drives and helped prevent the game from getting away.
Nate Sheppard has been the centerpiece of that response, giving Duke a much-needed spark as both a runner and a receiver while the Blue Devils leaned on him to steady the offense. Both teams also made their share of fourth-down gambles, underscoring how little separation there has been, and Duke heads into the second half still with a chance to turn an uneven opening 30 minutes into something bigger. [Read more 🡒]