Walker Eget's Performance is What Duke 'Expected' From Him This Season

While the Duke Blue Devils relied on running back Nate Sheppard to provide the scoring in the Week 1 win over Tulane, quarterback Walker Eget made sure he played better in Week 2. 

Eget turned in an impressive performance against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 2's win, silencing some of the doubters he may have had. Eget completed 15 of his 21 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns in the game, leading Duke to the 31-27 upset win. 

It was a much better performance for the Blue Devils' quarterback who won the starting job this offseason. But for head coach Manny Diaz, this is what he expected when he named Eget the starting quarterback.

"Yeah, it's what we expected. He made some really tough throws," Diaz said after the win. "We knew they were going to heat us up and bring a lot of pressure. That's their identity. It's what they do. And like I said, I thought he handled it really, really well. We were able to make some plays down the field."

Of the three touchdown passes Eget had, one stood out to Diaz in particular and it was the first one of the game. 

"I thought the first touchdown to Burton was an absolutely beautiful throw," Diaz said. "And then his toughness to come back in the game and even to play that last series, I think shows to everybody in the locker room of what type of human being and competitor he is. Not that we doubted that. So just again, a great performance by Walker."

While Eget was banged up and had to leave the game, he did retur. That's great news for the Blue Devils who begin Atlantic Coast Conference play against Stanford next week. 

The Blue Devils know they have something special in Sheppard at running back. But having a good quarterback in Eget would help raise the ceiling of the team. So far, he's put together one bad game and one good game this season. 

After seeing what he can do in Week 2, Duke should be confident he can do that again and at a consistent level this season.