Duke RB Nate Sheppard Makes Program History Against Miami

Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard continues to impress this season, making an impact in a big way against No. 7 Miami on Saturday.

Trailing 10-3 in the second quarter, Sheppard housed a 47-yard run to get even with the Hurricanes. At that point in the game, Sheppard rushed seven times for 63 yards. On his 47-yard scamper, he broke a record at Duke. He set the single-season rushing record at 1,252 yards before the end of his 10th game of the year with the Blue Devils.

Steve Jones previously held the record with 1,236 yards for the 1972 season. Sheppard has been making history for much of the season.

In last week's 41-3 win over NC State, Sheppard earned the single-season touchdown record for Duke with 17 touchdowns. He became only the second player in Duke's history to have multiple seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards, joining Randy Cuthbert.

Sheppard is now the only player in Blue Devil's history to have two games with 200 rushing yards in a season. He was tied for the sixth-most scrimmage touchdowns this season with 20 touchdowns. He eclipsed that number on Saturday against Miami.

In Duke's 47-2 win over Boston College, Sheppard broke more records. His five-touchdown performance set a single-game record for touchdown runs. His 18 total touchdowns were a single-season record for Duke.

Sheppard should be a factor in the Heisman Trophy race this year. He's been a one-man wrecking crew for the Blue Devils, who had a surprising 7-2 record before playing Miami On Saturday.

After losing Darian Mensah to Miami, the Blue Devils were not expected to have this type of season. There were questions about Duke even making a bowl game. 

A strong offense led by Sheppard mixed with a great defense under head coach Manny Diaz has the Blue Devils in the College Football Playoff hunt before the outcome of Saturday's game against Miami.

Manny Diaz has his players fighting.

Diaz is getting the most out of this roster. It's not surprising that Duke's play this season has other programs thinking about hiring the former Miami head coach. The Florida State Seminoles are expected to take a look at Diaz.

Duke had a strong performance in the first half on the road against Miami. The Blue Devils trailed 13-10 at halftime and could be poised for an upset if Sheppard has another big hal