Duke Blue Devils Captured a Cardinal
The Duke Blue Devils opened ACC play today at Wallace Wade Stadium by taking on the Stanford Cardinal and defeating them 35-7 to win their 5th straight ACC opener. Nate Sheppard led the way with 154 rushing yards on 23 carries, two rushing touchdowns, and a 2-yard receiving touchdown. Walker Eget had a productive game, throwing 14-for-24 for 202 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The Blue Devils shocked the crowd and Stanford at the start of the game by kicking and recovering an onside kick. In the first half, Duke led Stanford 14-7, largely thanks to Duke’s ability to control the ground game and move the chains. Nate Sheppard, for another week in a row, was the difference-maker, scoring both of Duke’s second-quarter touchdowns, including a 32-yard rush and a 2-yard receiving score. Stanford finally responded late in the second quarter after connecting for a 5-yard touchdown, cutting Duke’s lead to 14-7 heading into halftime. Overall, the Blue Devils had more offensive production, controlled the line of scrimmage, and got Sheppard involved as normal. Yet turnovers and penalties kept Stanford within striking distance; the Blue Devils’ defense kept bending but didn’t break.
One thing that stood out today was that in the second half, Duke didn’t let their foot off the gas pedal. On the three drives they scored, they moved the ball quickly and efficiently. Nate Sheppard scored early in the third quarter for a 1-yard rush touchdown. That drive was 9 plays, 75 yards, and took 4 minutes and 19 seconds. Next, late in the third quarter, Kavon Simmons scored a 16-yard rush touchdown; that drive was 10 plays, 73 yards, and took 5 minutes and 17 seconds. In the third scoring drive of the middle of the 4th quarter, Jayian Tanelus scored a 5-yard rush touchdown; the drive was 8 plays, 71 yards, and took 5 minutes and 24 seconds. Duke scored on each of those possessions in less than 6 minutes, in 10 plays or fewer, and for at least 70 yards; now that’s saying something.
Overall, the Blue Devils won the line of scrimmage, totaling 268 yards on the ground. Coach Diaz said, “The identity is in body blows, dominating the line of scrimmage, which is not a first-round knockout type of thing; it’s, can we dominate both lines of scrimmage over the course of 60 minutes.” The defense shut Stanford down. After Stanford scored in the second quarter, Duke held them scoreless for the entire second half. They finished with four sacks and only allowed the Cardinal 237 total yards. Coach Diaz said after the game, “We have to give the defensive staff and the defensive players a ton of credit, another second-half master class absolutely dominating the game and sucking the life out of Stanford’s offense.” The combo of physical power rushing, heavy defensive pressure, and team cohesiveness turned a close game into a blowout. Next up for the 3-0 Blue Devils will be back here at home September 26th @3:30 against the William & Mary Tribe.