The opening drive for the Duke Blue Devils set the tone in their Week 1 win over Tulane to open the season.
The Duke Blue Devils' football program waited months to kick off what was a highly anticipated 2026 season. Coming off the Atlantic Coast Conference title last season, the Blue Devils were excited to get back on the field.
But they had to wait a little longer after a 90-minute lighting delay pushed back the opening kickoff.
When Duke did hit the field, they made sure their first drive would set the tone in the game as they beat Tulane 17-3.
The Blue Devils used a 17 play drive that went 75 yards and took up 9:53 on the clock, ending in Nate Sheppard's 9-yard touchdown run. The drive was an impressive one that saw the Blue Devils convert on five third downs.
After the game, Tulane head coach Will Hall pointed to miss tackles as a reason why his team couldn't get a stop.
"That was big because that attributed to us being on the field. And I think defensively our players would say we got a tackle better right there," Hall said. "That was where the opening drive, we did not tackle well. And 20's a really good football player, and I tip my hat to him, man. He has a great back."
"But I thought after that, I thought we tackled well. I thought we swarmed to the football. I thought we settled in defensively and I thought we kept us in the game defensively for the rest of the game, like I said, all the way right there to the very end."
Duke grabbed that 7-0 lead and added a field goal for a 10-0 halftime lead. They never looked back after that.
Powered by Sheppard who finished with a career high 227 yards and two touchdowns, the Blue Devils showed off their powerful run game. While the quarterback position was a struggle at times in the game, leaning on that run game especially on the first drive was key for Duke.
That might have to be the recipe for success this season, especially if the quarterbacks struggle again.
Duke will face off against Illinois on Saturday in Week 2.
