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O'Connor Named ACC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
9/21/2026 2:02:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke defensive end Kevin O'Connor was named the ACC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week following the Blue Devils' 35-7 victory versus Stanford on Saturday. The honor is the first of O'Connor's career. The Blue Devils are up to five ACC weekly honorees through the first three weeks of the season.
In Duke's ACC opener against Stantord Saturday, O'Connor booked 2.0 sacks with a forced fumble on a strip sack in helping Duke to its fifth-straight win in an ACC opener.
O'Connor recorded his first career solo sack in the opening quarter, dropping Davis Warren for a five-yard loss. In the second quarter, O'Connor reached Davis again, sacking him for another five-yard loss and adding his first career forced fumble. Kendall Johnson recovered the fumble and Duke scored on the ensuing drive for its first points off turnovers this season. The touchdown pushed Duke's lead to 14-0.Â
In the first half, Stanford collected 160 total yards, but was held to 77 after intermission, including just four rushing yards in the second half. The Cardinal was shut out in the second half. In the last two second halves O'Connor and Duke have played, they have allowed just three total points.
O'Connor joins Tyshon Reed Jr. and Bryce Davis as Blue Devils with 2.0 or more sacks this season. Duke joins Virginia Tech as the only ACC school with three or more individuals having 2.0 or more sacks this fall.
The ACC's other weekly honors included Miami's Darian Mensah (quarterback), Louisville's Keyjuan Brown (running back), NC State's Keenan Jackson (offensive receiver), Louisville's Eryx Daugherty (offensive lineman) and Kaleb Beasley (defensive back), Clemson's Will Heldt (co-defensive lineman) and Nolan Hauser (specialist) and Pitt's Alex Sanford Jr. (linebacker) and Damon Ferguson Jr. (rookie).
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#GoDuke
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In Duke's ACC opener against Stantord Saturday, O'Connor booked 2.0 sacks with a forced fumble on a strip sack in helping Duke to its fifth-straight win in an ACC opener.
O'Connor recorded his first career solo sack in the opening quarter, dropping Davis Warren for a five-yard loss. In the second quarter, O'Connor reached Davis again, sacking him for another five-yard loss and adding his first career forced fumble. Kendall Johnson recovered the fumble and Duke scored on the ensuing drive for its first points off turnovers this season. The touchdown pushed Duke's lead to 14-0.Â
In the first half, Stanford collected 160 total yards, but was held to 77 after intermission, including just four rushing yards in the second half. The Cardinal was shut out in the second half. In the last two second halves O'Connor and Duke have played, they have allowed just three total points.
O'Connor joins Tyshon Reed Jr. and Bryce Davis as Blue Devils with 2.0 or more sacks this season. Duke joins Virginia Tech as the only ACC school with three or more individuals having 2.0 or more sacks this fall.
The ACC's other weekly honors included Miami's Darian Mensah (quarterback), Louisville's Keyjuan Brown (running back), NC State's Keenan Jackson (offensive receiver), Louisville's Eryx Daugherty (offensive lineman) and Kaleb Beasley (defensive back), Clemson's Will Heldt (co-defensive lineman) and Nolan Hauser (specialist) and Pitt's Alex Sanford Jr. (linebacker) and Damon Ferguson Jr. (rookie).
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#GoDuke
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