Duke 31, Illinois 27: Five Key Plays From A Big Win

Posted by Admin September 13, 2026 NFL

Duke improved to 2-0 on the season with a hard-fought 31-27 victory over Illinois on the road in Champaign in a sold out Gies Memorial Stadium. A non-conference Power Four win is a huge accomplishment in Week Two of the season.

Quarterback Walker Eget completed 15 of 21 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Nate Sheppard rushed 24 times for 147 yards and one touchdown, and caught five passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jonah Burton caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Cornerback Evan Smith accounted for the game’s only turnover when he intercepted a pass from Illinois quarterback Katin Houser.

Play One: Illinois was leading 17-7 and Duke was facing a 4th down and four yards to go with nine minutes and 41 seconds remaining in the 2nd quarter. Duke lined up to punt but hiked the ball to Nate Sheppard instead of punter Kade Reynoldson and Sheppard ran for 15 yards and a 1st down. This play switched momentum from the Illini to the Blue Devils. Four plays later Nate Sheppard rushed two yards for a touchdown cutting the Illini lead to 17-14.

Play Two: At the eight minutes and 28 seconds mark of the 1st quarter, quarterback Walker Eget hit wide receiver Jonah Burton for a 12 yards touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. Burton did a great job securing the ball as he went to the ground.

Play Three: With 38 seconds remaining in the 1st half, quarterback Walker Eget tossed a seven-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Nate Sheppard who walked into the end zone to cut the Illinois lead to 24-21 at the half.

Play Four: On the first drive of the second half, on 2nd down and five yards to go, quarterback Walker Eget connected with tight end Jeremiah Hasley down the right side for 35 yards to the Illinois 16-yard line. Five plays later, Eget tossed his third touchdown pass of the game and Duke took the lead 28-24.

Play Five: With a minute and 49 seconds remaining in the game, on 4th down and one yard to go, Nate Sheppard rushed for two yards and a 1st down to seal the victory.

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