Sheppard breaks records as Duke rolls past Boston College 47-2

October 31, 2026 · by · in Football

By Luke Koenig

Photo taken by Maddie Townsend

DURHAM, N.C. — In a half-empty stadium, Duke running back Nate Sheppard scored five touchdowns Saturday and broke the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season as the Blue Devils routed Boston College 47-2.

Sheppard, a sophomore, now has 16 rushing touchdowns this season, the most in Duke history. He entered the game leading the FBS with 875 rushing yards. He added 97 yards on 20 carries against the Eagles and caught one pass for 32 yards.

Neither team scored on its first possession, but Duke quickly took control of the game with an 80-yard drive led by quarterback Walker Eget and Sheppard for an early first-quarter lead.

Less than four minutes later, Duke piled on with another touchdown from Sheppard. On the extra-point try, a bad hold allowed BC defensive back Carter Davis to pounce on a loose ball and return it 100 yards for a 2-point conversion. It was the only score the Eagles would have in the game.

BC quarterback Mason McKenzie was sacked six times as the Eagles struggled to find productive offense. The Blue Devils now lead the ACC in scoring defense, allowing 14.3 points per game.

Boston College moves to 4-4 and will head back to Chestnut Hill to face Florida State on Nov. 7. Duke improves to 6-2 and will travel just over 22 miles on Interstate 40 to play in-state rival North Carolina State on Nov. 7.