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The Duke Blue Devils are basking in the afterglow of a significant road triumph against Illinois, a win that has injected considerable momentum into the program. Under the guidance of head coach Manny Diaz, the team has positioned itself as a competitive force, displaying promise on both offense and defense through the first two weeks of the season.
The victory in Champaign offered plenty of insights, as Duke appeared far more balanced than in its opening-week outing. Here's a breakdown of how each position group performed against the Fighting Illini.
Quarterback: B+
Walker Eget faced substantial pressure entering this matchup after a lackluster debut against Tulane, but he rose to the occasion. The former San Jose State transfer may not have been spectacular, yet he embodied the steady game manager Duke required. Eget appeared far more composed and organized within the pocket compared to Week 1, delivering a crucial bounce-back performance by completing 15 of 21 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Although he needed assistance leaving the field late in the fourth quarter, he returned on the ensuing drive. Eget's excellent showing has solidified his status as the team's starting quarterback.
Running Back: A+
Duke supporters couldn't ask for much more from the running back duo of Nate Sheppard and CJ Campbell. Sheppard is generating early Heisman Trophy buzz, amassing 434 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in the first two games. Against Illinois, the sophomore rushed 24 times for 147 yards and a score, while also catching five passes for 41 yards and two additional touchdowns. Sheppard has accounted for five of Duke's six touchdowns this season. As anticipated, his workload decreased slightly from Week 1, allowing Rutgers transfer CJ Campbell to contribute effectively with eight carries for 31 yards. Duke will rely heavily on its running game this season, and this duo provides a formidable foundation.
Wide Receivers: B
The wide receiver corps proved to be a productive component of the offense against Illinois, a stark contrast to its struggles versus Tulane. The group recorded 15 receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Idaho State transfer Jonah Burton is solidifying his role as the WR1, leading the Blue Devils in receiving for the second consecutive week. Burton hauled in four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on Saturday. However, Penn transfer Jared Richardson has yet to record a catch this year.
Tight End: B
Star tight end Jeremiah Hasley was more involved than in Week 1, securing three receptions for 53 yards. Jake Taylor also showed flashes, adding a catch for 11 yards. The tight ends are expected to become a focal point of the offense moving forward, and Hasley should find the end zone frequently as the season progresses.
Offensive Line: C
Tackle transfers Nick Del Grande (Coastal Carolina) and Braden Miller (California) committed costly penalties in the fourth quarter that shifted momentum away from Duke, though the team fortunately still secured the win. Overall, the unit appears solid but had some sloppy moments this weekend.
Defensive Line: B-
The Blue Devils' defensive front looked dominant in Week 1 but was far less effective against Illinois. Duke failed to record a sack on Saturday and managed just one tackle for loss. Bryce Davis made some notable plays, tallying five total tackles. While depth remains a strength, the defensive line was not nearly as dominant in Week 2.
Linebackers: B
Similar to the defensive line, Duke's linebacker corps was effective but not at the level it displayed in Week 1. Nick Morris Jr. finished second on the team with nine total tackles, while Luke Mergott and Kendall Johnson each contributed three tackles. Confidence in this unit remains high, but it appeared somewhat vulnerable against a Big Ten opponent.
Cornerbacks: B
Illinois star wide receiver Collin Dixon torched Duke's secondary in the first half, but the unit rebounded to limit his impact in the final two quarters. Dixon finished with 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns, though most of that production came before halftime. Kyon Loud and Dylan Flowers seem to be emerging as the starting cornerbacks, but Northwestern transfer Evan Smith made arguably the play of the game, intercepting Illinois quarterback Katin Houser in the fourth quarter.
Safeties: B
The safeties could arguably be grouped with the cornerbacks. The unit experienced ups and downs but had a solid overall day. DaShawn Stone recorded six total tackles, and sophomore Andrew Pellicciotta made significant contributions, leading both teams with 11 total tackles and nine solo tackles in the victory. Despite some sloppiness, Duke's defense looked solid across the board, especially in the second half.
Hugh Straine is an accomplished writer and proud Bucknell University alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. He has served as editor of The Bucknellian, worked as an analyst for ESPN+ and Hulu, and currently reports on college sports as a general reporter for On SI. Follow HughStraine.