-
Duke opened with 250 rushing yards and no sacks allowed despite replacing three offensive-line starters, with Nate Sheppard supplying 227 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries in the 17-3 Tulane win; center Matt Craycraft emphasized that one successful game does not establish consistency.
-
Duke's two 75-yard touchdown drives took 17 plays and 9:53, then 12 plays and 6:53, giving early evidence of the offseason plan to run more frequently and sustain possession while retaining the option to change tempo.
-
Craycraft credited Bradley Smith's prior playing experience and both tackles' January arrivals with improving Duke's line continuity, while the unit is practicing in amplified noise and stressing Walker Eget's cadence and play-call communication before the Illinois road game.
-
The Duke-Illinois preview identifies a potential rushing opportunity after Illinois allowed UAB 194 rushing yards and 10 conversions on 19 third downs, with the cited Illini Inquirer film review reporting 16 missed tackles charged by PFF in that opener.
-
The same preview warns that Illinois can still disrupt Duke through front movement and pressure, highlighting Will Holmes' edge and interior work in the opener and last year's five forced turnovers against Duke; Craycraft named ball security, avoiding negative plays and protecting the passer as priorities for this meeting.