Sheppard scores 3 TDs as Duke handles Stanford, 35-7

Nate Sheppard contributed three touchdowns and 154 rushing yards as Duke dominated Stanford 35-7 in a pre-season college football game on Saturday. The Blue Devils, the reigning ACC champions, secured their fifth consecutive opening-day victory to start an unbeaten streak in the league. Sheppard, the team's primary back, rushed 23 times, including a two-yard scoring play on his lone reception.

Kavon Simmons and Jayvian Tanelus also scored on touchdown runs, while the team amassed 268 rushing yards. Quarterback Walker Eget completed 14-of-24 passes for 202 yards. Stanford, coming off a 12-game losing streak on the road, was held to 237 total offensive yards. The Cardinal's only touchdown came from a 5-yard pass from Davis Warren to Caden High.

Duke's defense stifled Stanford's offense throughout the game, effectively limiting the Cardinal to fewer than 200 yards of total offense before the final seven minutes.