Duke uses trick‑play pass to beat Virginia 19-16 at Scott Stadium
Duke defeated Virginia 19-16 on Oct. 23, 2026, after a late fourth‑quarter double‑trick play gave the Blue Devils the winning touchdown, snapping a two‑game skid.
Key points
- Duke beat Virginia 19-16 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
- A double‑trick play called “Bunny” produced a touchdown pass from Nate Sheppard to Brody Keefe.
- The play came late in the fourth quarter, giving Duke the lead with minutes left.
- The win ended Duke’s two‑game losing streak and marked an ACC road victory.
- Duke was dealing with a quarterback injury during the game.
On Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, the Duke Blue Devils defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 19-16 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
The decisive score came in the fourth quarter when Duke executed a double‑trick play called “Bunny.” Running back Nate Sheppard threw a touchdown pass to Brody Keefe, providing the game‑winning points.
The play unfolded late in the fourth quarter, giving Duke the lead with only minutes remaining.
The victory ended Duke’s two‑game losing streak and marked an ACC road win for the Blue Devils.
During the contest, Duke was contending with a quarterback injury, which contributed to the decision to employ the trick play.
For much of the game, both teams engaged in a defensive slugfest before the late scoring drive secured the win for Duke.
Your questions, answered
What was the decisive play in Duke's win over Virginia?
A double‑trick play called “Bunny” saw running back Nate Sheppard throw a touchdown pass to Brody Keefe.
How did the result affect Duke's recent performance?
The victory ended Duke's two‑game losing streak and gave them an ACC road win.
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