Nate Sheppard struck a little Heisman pose after scoring a first-half touchdown in Duke’s 47-2 win over Boston College on Saturday afternoon.
Sheppard bolstered his case for being in the Heisman conversation – and other national awards like the Doak Walker – after making history against the Eagles.
The sophomore running back recorded five rushing touchdowns as Duke (6-2, 3-2 ACC) overwhelmed its Halloween visitors and achieved bowl eligibility for the third year in a row under coach Manny Diaz. Sheppard broke the Blue Devils single-game record for touchdowns as well as put his name on the single-season record for scrimmage TDs with 18.
Sheppard’s first two touchdowns, covering 1 and 2 yards, gave Duke an early 13-2 lead. Boston College blocked the second PAT attempt and returned it for a defensive two-point conversion.
Sheppard broke away for a 54-yard score in the second quarter. A five-yard touchdown pass from Walker Eget to Jeremiah Hasley gave Duke a 27-2 lead at the break.
Sheppard and the Devils kept motoring after halftime, with the star running back finding the end zone for the fourth and fifth times on runs of 4 and 1 yards. Two Gavin Strange field goals in the final quarter completed the scoring.
Boston College (4-4, 203 ACC) managed just 213 total yards and lost two fumbles. This was the fourth game this season where Duke allowed 7 points or fewer.
Dominating from start to finish 😈 https://t.co/lhPrdYSZ6Q — Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) October 31, 2026
Stats and Notables
- Nate Sheppard carried 20 times in all, finishing with 97 rushing yards. He rested much of the final quarter with Duke firmly in control.
- Sheppard now has 972 rushing yards on the season and 14 rushing touchdowns. He also has caught 31 passes for 302 yards and four scores. Sheppard is the third-leading receiver in terms of yards and first in receiving touchdowns.
- Duke quarterback Walker Eget completed 11-of-18 passes for 201 yards and one touchdown.
- Jayvian Tanelus (Duke) added 46 rushing yards on five carries, with a long of 26.
- Bradley Gompers (Duke) recorded eight tackles, one sack and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. DeShawn Stone led the Blue Devils in tackles with nine.
- Duke’s defense held BC to 78 rushing yards. The Eagles earned only 2.4 yards per attempt and lost two fumbles.
- Boston College QB Mason McKenzie completed 9-of-17 passes for 87 yards.
- Anthony Palano (Boston College) led the Eagles with nine tackles, while KP Price and Marcus Upton logged eight tackles each. Carter Davis picked off a pass.
- Boston College was just 2-of-13 on third-down plays and missed on all four fourth-down conversation attempts.
- The game featured 25 total penalties. Boston College was flagged 15 times for 129 yards. Duke was penalized 10 times for 90 yards.
- Announced attendance was 15,653.
What’s Next For Duke
The Blue Devils have now won two in a row in ACC play after dropping games to Georgia Tech and UNC. Duke will travel to Triangle rival NC State next Saturday, Nov. 7. The Wolfpack, after parting ways with head coach Dave Doeren, beat Cal 31-10 on Saturday to improve to 4-4.
