- Q1 10:59TDDUKENate Sheppard 32 Yd Run (Gavin Strange Kick)7–0
- Q1 3:05TDUVAJekail Middlebrook 1 Yd Run (Will Bettridge Kick)7–7
- Q2 9:06FGUVAWill Bettridge 21 Yd Field Goal7–10
- Q2 0:00FGUVAWill Bettridge 32 Yd Field Goal7–13
- Q3 12:22FGDUKEGavin Strange 39 Yd Field Goal10–13
- Q4 8:50FGDUKEGavin Strange 39 Yd Field Goal13–13
- Q4 3:00FGUVAWill Bettridge 30 Yd Field Goal13–16
- Q4 1:14TDDUKEBrody Keefe 28 Yd pass from Nate Sheppard (Gavin Strange PAT failed)19–16
Duke Blue Devils vs Virginia Cavaliers — 2026-10-23 Game Analysis
Final · Fri
ESPN game file
Recap
The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 19-16 on October 23, 2026, at Scott Stadium. Running back Nate Sheppard delivered the decisive play through the air rather than on the ground.
Sheppard threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Brody Keefe with 1:14 remaining in the fourth quarter. Duke had driven 75 yards following Virginia's go-ahead field goal.
Will Bettridge had put the Cavaliers ahead 16-13 through a 30-yard kick with 3:00 remaining. Virginia could not protect that advantage against Duke's late trick play.
Patrick Smith-Young intercepted Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula with 36 seconds remaining to secure the victory. The Cavaliers suffered their first home defeat of the season.
Sheppard also opened Duke's scoring through a 32-yard touchdown run during the first quarter. Virginia answered through Jekail Middlebrook's short rushing touchdown and led 13-7 at halftime.
Duke improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play. Virginia dropped to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference.
Official game highlights
A matching official highlights video is not available yet. Browse official NCAA highlights.
Game stats
| Statistic | Duke Blue Devils | Virginia Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 16 | 22 |
| Total yards | 327 | 353 |
| Net passing yards | 256 | 158 |
| Rushing yards | 71 | 195 |
| Third-down conversions | 2-10 | 5-17 |
| Fourth-down conversions | 0-0 | 2-3 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties–yards | 4-47 | 3-30 |
| Time of possession | 21:13 | 38:47 |
Duke Blue Devils vs Virginia Cavaliers — NCAA Game Analysis
Duke Blue Devils defeated Virginia Cavaliers 19–16, a 3-point margin. Virginia Cavaliers led in total offense, 353 to 327. Virginia Cavaliers led in rushing yards, 195 to 71. Duke Blue Devils committed fewer turnovers, 1 to 2. Duke Blue Devils converted 2 of 10 third downs; Virginia Cavaliers converted 5 of 17.
Based on the recorded score and available team statistics. Source: ESPN game file.
Lineup
These are the players credited on the game file. That file does not list a starting lineup or positions.
Duke Blue Devils
Passing
- #2Walker Eget
- #20Nate Sheppard
- #10Dan Mahan
Rushing
- #20Nate Sheppard
- #0CJ Campbell Jr.
- #10Dan Mahan
- Team
Receiving
- #6Jonah Burton
- #18Brody Keefe
- #4Jaivon Solomon
- #17Jared Richardson
- #15Jake Taylor
- #20Nate Sheppard
Defense
- #7Nick Morris Jr.
- #8DaShawn Stone
- #2Patrick Smith-Young
- #91Owen Wafle
- #34Luke Mergott
- #18Kobe Smith
- #42Kendall Johnson
- #0Dylan Flowers
- #9Che Ojarikre
- #10Tyshon Reed
- #15Kevin O'Connor
- #95Preston Watson
- #1Kyon Loud
- #30Will Felder Jr.
- #12Bryce Davis
- #24Bradley Gompers
- #21KD Cotton
- #43Semaj Turner
- #17Jared Richardson
- #19Jon Morris
- #93Sampson Onuoha
- #55Julius Columbus
Virginia Cavaliers
Passing
- #7Beau Pribula
Rushing
- #21Jekail Middlebrook
- #7Beau Pribula
- #0Xavier Brown
- #25Xay Davis
- #28Solomon Beebe
- #26Jack Rhodes
Receiving
- #89John Rogers
- #9Dakota Twitty
- #18Da'Shawn Martin
- #4Jacquon Gibson
- #84Isaiah Robinson
- #21Jekail Middlebrook
Defense
- #8Christian Ellis
- #1Montino Williams
- #17Justin Ross
- #23Jaylen Jones
- #11Maddox Marcellus
- #32Landon Danley
- #5Kam Robinson
- #10Jacobie Henderson
- #14Fisher Camac
- #16Matthew Fobbs-White
- #2Donavon Platt
- #44Darrion Henry-Young
- #88Kervins Choute
- #55Anthony Britton
- #99Elijah Slibeck
- #7Josiah Persinger
- #51Sichan John
- #36Justin Townsend
- #33Nnanna Anyanwu