The Duke Blue Devils picked up a crucial victory over Virginia on Friday night.
The Blue Devils walked into Charlottesville on Friday night amid a two-game losing streak, needing a victory over a talented Cavaliers club to get back to .500 in league play. For the third straight week, the game came down to the final minutes. But this time, Duke was on the right side of the nail-biter.
Some late-game trickery from the Blue Devils, mixed with a highly productive second half from the Blue Devils' defense overall, put Duke in a position to win and emerge on the good side of a tight contest. This was a win that head coach Manny Diaz and his program desperately needed to get back on track heading into a favorable rest of the 2026 schedule.
Duke Struggles in First Half After Walker Eget Exits
Not sure Dan Mahan is being put in the best situations for him to be successful. Duke will have to figure this out if they want to regain momentum.
— Section 17 Media (@Section17Media) October 24, 2026
Nothing we've seen so far should be used as an argument against Dan. The lack of offensive success in this game falls directly at the feet of Brewer. He's not putting Mahan in a situation to be successful and do what he's good at. Despite having supposedly planned to play him.
— Sam (@BleedinDukeBlue) October 24, 2026
Duke looked night and day offensively to start the game compared to what it looked like against North Carolina at Wallace Wade Stadium last weekend. The Blue Devils charged down the field, and Nate Sheppard found the end zone to put them on top 7-0. However, starting quarterback Walker Eget suffered a finger injury, which propelled redshirt freshman Dan Mahan into the starting role for the rest of the first half.
The Blue Devils struggled to find any sort of offensive rhythm for the remainder of the half. After that opening score, Duke punted on all of its remaining drives through the first two quarters, heading into the halftime locker room in a 13-7 deficit.
Eget returned in the second half, and he made some big throws late to keep the Blue Devils alive.
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) October 24, 2026Duke/UVA is one of the more forgettable games any human has ever watched
So give it a good ending
Nate Sheppard Held in Check
Nate Sheppard was still impactful, but the Cavaliers did as good a job as any team has so far this season at containing the superstar running back. The sophomore ended the night with 55 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, along with two catches for 11 yards.
Would not be shocked to see a heavy dose of Nate Sheppard in the 4th. Feel like all the throwing was to lighten up the box for him
— CoachHotRod (@TheCoachHotRod) October 24, 2026
Nate Sheppard so good
— Immanuel (@OwuorGoat) October 23, 2026
Interestingly, Duke seemed to be a bit more pass-happy in the second half, but Sheppard's night ended with a...game-winning passing touchdown?
Late-Game Trickery
What can’t Nate Sheppard do!?!?
— Spells (@JasonSpells) October 24, 2026
— Rush Hour🐐 (@Veney2019) October 24, 2026Nate Sheppard can really do it ALL
Homie just dropped a dime 🤣
Diaz and his staff pulled out some magic at the end of the game, using a trick play that resulted in Sheppard throwing a touchdown to true freshman wide receiver Brody Keefe to take the lead with just over a minute to play.
NATE SHEPPARD PASSING TD HOLY
— Steve (@stevesclub4) October 24, 2026
Nate Sheppard passing touchdown for game 👀👀👀 that boy good
— Dalvinthetruth (@dalvinthetruth) October 24, 2026
The Blue Devils got it done and head home with some momentum.
Did Nate Sheppard just throw a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute? What can't this guy do!
— SethyG (@Gutt_Feeling) October 24, 2026
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