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Photo by: Duke Athletics
Sheppard a Midseason All-America Selection
10/15/2026 6:14:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard earned a spot on two midseason All-America first teams, receiving recognition from the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated.
During Duke's 8-1 stretch over its past nine games, Sheppard has rushed for 1,175 yards and 12 touchdowns (130.56 yards/game) and added 30 receptions for 290 yards (32.22 yards/game) and three scores.Â
Sheppard leads all FBS players in all-purpose yards per game (180.8), rushing yards per game (148.6), points scored per game (13.2) and rushes of 10 or more yards (25) this fall. In addition to leading the country in rushes of 10-plus yards, he ranks tied for second nationally in all scrimmage plays of 10 or more yards with 32. He rushed for at least 100 yards in five consecutive games, becoming just the second Blue Devil to accomplish the feat and the first since Randy Cuthbert's six-game stretch in 1989 (Army West Point, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, N.C. State & North Carolina).Â
In each of the first four games of the year, Sheppard rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, marking the second-longest streak to begin a season by an ACC player since Tiki Barber's eight in 1996. Sheppard also gained at least 100 rushing yards in the first halves of each of the first three games, becoming the first FBS player to do so since Boise State's Ashton Jeanty from November 23 - December 6, 2024.ÂDuring Duke's 8-1 stretch over its past nine games, Sheppard has rushed for 1,175 yards and 12 touchdowns (130.56 yards/game) and added 30 receptions for 290 yards (32.22 yards/game) and three scores.Â
Sheppard was named the September 8 and September 14 ACC Running Back of the Week, making him the league's first running back to receive the ACC honor in consecutive weeks since November 13 and 20, 2023. He was also tabbed the September 9 Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week, becoming the first Blue Devil in program history to receive the honor.Â
Duke (4-1, 1-1 ACC) returns home Saturday and welcomes rival North Carolina (3-2, 1-1 ACC)Â for a 3:30 p.m. kick on ESPN2.
Players Mentioned
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