Duke entered the 2026 season with high expectations, and the team answered with a 17-3 triumph over Tulane in their fifth consecutive season opener, a result that set a confident tone for the months ahead.
Running back Nate Sheppard dominated the ground game, carrying the ball 35 times for 227 yards and adding two touchdowns, the first coming on a nine-yard rush with just over five minutes left in the opening quarter.
Sheppard’s Breakout Performance
His second scoring run, a 14-yard dash with six minutes and 44 seconds remaining, extended the lead to 17-3 and highlighted his ability to find seams in a crowded defense.
Beyond the rushing attack, Walker Eget completed 13 of 26 passes for 131 yards, showing poise under pressure, while defensive standouts such as David Anderson, who deflected two passes in the second quarter, and linebacker Luke Mergott, who forced a fumble on Tulane’s opening drive, helped keep the opponent off the scoreboard.
The defense continued to make key plays, as Nick Morris recovered Mergott’s forced fumble at the 17-yard line and safety Kyon Loud intercepted a pass intended for Anthony Brown-Stephens, forcing a field goal that Tulane managed to convert.
Although the passing game exhibited inconsistency, the victory demonstrated Duke’s balance between a potent rushing attack and a turnover‑driven defense, suggesting the Blue Devils are poised to build on this strong start as the season unfolds.