⚡ CFB Dashboard

- 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 . - Quarterback Walker Eget went 15-for-21 through the air, recording 206 passing yards and three touchdown strikes.

- Pick/market: TBH based on the enemy preview, it seems Duke aligns well against them.

- Duke's Nate Sheppard ran for 227 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane; Illinois allowed UAB 194 rushing yards and 16 missed tackles, per PFF. The preview sees a rushing opportunity but warns that Bobby Hauck's new pressure-oriented 3-3-5 can create negative plays. Bielema linked some tackling problems to limited live work during an injury-affected camp, not an assurance they will persist. - Duke QB Walker Eget went 13-of-26 for 131 yards without a touchdown or interception in the opener. Manny Diaz attributed the struggles to timing between throws and route breaks and said responsibility was not solely on the quarterback. The writer calls for play-action completions and Jeremiah Hasley involvement to deter loaded boxes; those are recommendations, not announced play-calling changes. - Duke held Tulane to 54 rushing yards and 3-of-14 on third down, with three sacks and seven tackles for loss; Bryce Davis had two sacks. Illinois presents a different passing test: Katin Houser opened 13-of-17 for 182 yards and three passing touchdowns, plus 29 rushing yards and a score. The preview highlights his quick release as a counter to Duke's pressure, not a guaranteed matchup result. - Duke had a 32-yard field goal blocked; another block from 27 was erased by offsides before Cosme Salas made a 22-yarder. The preview flags protection, timing and execution across the unit. Illinois received a 65-yard Mac Resetich punt return that set up a touchdown, while Ethan Moczulski made all six extra points and recorded six kickoff touchbacks in its opener.

- 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.

- QB/RB: FSU’s QB looks kinda like how I imagine Mahan running our offense this year might look.

- Duke averaged only 4.7 yards per pass attempt against Tulane, with a 6.4-yard average depth of target illustrating the limited passing threat despite the 17-3 win. - Sheppard carried 35 times for a career-high 227 yards against Tulane, including a career-best 165 yards after contact, making tackle-breaking a major part of Duke's rushing production. - Duke recorded 153 combined tight-end snaps over 79 offensive plays, with the report identifying frequent two- and three-tight-end personnel as a way to support the offense while its quarterback and perimeter play develop. - The initial PFF review identified Duke's experienced interior of Craycraft, Larsen and Smith as the offensive line's strength, while its new tackles graded less favorably and still needed adjustment despite a productive team rushing performance.

- QB/RB: Yes let’s take the Qb with legs out so the D can hone in on the RB.

- Duke named center Matt Craycraft, tight end Jeremiah Hasley, cornerback Kyon Loud, linebacker Nick Morris Jr., defensive end Tyshon Reed Jr., and running back Nate Sheppard as captains for the Tulane opener. - Manny Diaz said Duke will use a mix of permanent and weekly captains this season to match the roster's leadership structure and empower younger players. - Duke's opener captain list included younger or less-established players such as third-year defensive end Tyshon Reed Jr., third-year Montana transfer Kyon Loud, and sophomore running back Nate Sheppard.

- RB: Duke tailback Nate Sheppard has 139 rushing yards and a touchdown….at halftime vs.