Duke Blue Devils vs Illinois Fighting Illini

College Football

Duke

2-0

31-27

Final

Illinois

1-1

Gies Memorial Stadium

Drive chart

Drives

End of Game
Downs
Punt
Interception
Punt
Downs

Team	1	2	3	4	T
DUKE	7	14	7	3	31
ILL	10	14	3	0	27

Who won: Duke 31-27

The Duke Blue Devils beat the Illinois Fighting Illini 31-27 on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Gies Memorial Stadium. Walker Eget led the Duke in passing yards (15/21, 206 YDS, 3 TD). Katin Houser led the Illinois in passing yards (24/35, 271 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT).

Win probability

100%DUKE final

DUKEILL

Tap or hover the line to see the play. Dots mark the biggest swings.

Play by play

Q4 0:00
End of 4th quarter.
Q4 0:40
Kneel down by Duke at ILL38 for loss of 5 yards
2nd & 16 at ILL 33
Q4 0:41
FLAG
PENALTY DUKE False Start (#72 M.Craycraft) 5 yards from ILL28 to ILL33. NO PLAY
2nd & 11 at ILL 28
Q4 1:17
Kneel down by Duke at ILL28 for loss of 1 yard
1st & 10 at ILL 27
Q4 1:49
Shotgun #20 N.Sheppard rush middle for 2 yards gain to the ILL27 (#7 M.Bailey; #26 I.Kante), 1ST DOWN
4th & 1 at ILL 29
Q4 1:54
Timeout Illinois, clock 01:54
Q4 1:54
Shotgun #20 N.Sheppard rush middle for 2 yards gain to the ILL29 (#24 W.Holmes)
3rd & 3 at ILL 31
Q4 2:00
Timeout Duke, clock 02:00
Q4 2:01
Shotgun #20 N.Sheppard rush left for 4 yards gain to the ILL31 (#96 D.Prater; #7 M.Bailey)
2nd & 7 at ILL 35
Q4 2:48
Shotgun #20 N.Sheppard rush middle for 3 yards gain to the ILL35 (#1 X.Scott; #6 J.Clarke)
1st & 10 at ILL 38
Q4 2:54
Shotgun #4 K.Houser pass incomplete short right to #17 C.Dixon thrown to ILL40 broken up by #1 K.Loud, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
4th & 4 at ILL 38
Q4 3:37
#5 C.Valentine rush right for 1 yard loss to the ILL38 (#10 T.Reed)
3rd & 3 at ILL 39
Q4 4:21
Shotgun #5 C.Valentine rush middle for 1 yard gain to the ILL39 (#12 B.Davis)
2nd & 4 at ILL 38
Q4 4:57
Shotgun #5 C.Valentine rush middle for 6 yards gain to the ILL38 (#35 A.Pellicciotta)
1st & 10 at ILL 32
Q4 5:30
Shotgun #4 K.Houser pass complete short left to #13 H.Clement caught at ILL29, for 11 yards to the ILL32 (#4 E.Smith), 1ST DOWN
2nd & 9 at ILL 21
Q4 6:06
Shotgun #5 C.Valentine rush middle for 1 yard gain to the ILL21 (#34 L.Mergott; #95 P.Watson)
1st & 10 at ILL 20
Q4 6:13
#41 K.Reynoldson punt 44 yards to the ILL00, Touchback
4th & 9 at ILL 44
Q4 6:21
Shotgun #10 D.Mahan pass incomplete short right to #20 N.Sheppard thrown to ILL49
3rd & 9 at ILL 44
Q4 6:45
Shotgun #2 W.Eget sacked for loss of 2 yards to the ILL44 (#24 W.Holmes), fumble by #2 W.Eget recovered by DUKE #15 J.Taylor at ILL44, End Of Play. #2 W.Eget injured on the play
2nd & 7 at ILL 42
Q4 6:58
Timeout Illinois, clock 06:58
Q4 7:15
Shotgun #20 N.Sheppard rush middle for 3 yards gain to the ILL42 (#96 D.Prater). #43 J.Barna injured on the play
1st & 10 at ILL 45
Q4 7:21
TO
Shotgun #4 K.Houser pass intercepted by #4 E.Smith at DUKE36 #4 E.Smith return 19 yards to the ILL45, out of bounds at ILL45
3rd & 8 at ILL 47
Q4 7:30
Shotgun #4 K.Houser pass incomplete short left to #83 K.Feagin thrown to DUKE43 broken up by #42 K.Johnson
2nd & 8 at ILL 47
Q4 8:08
Shotgun #5 C.Valentine rush middle for 2 yards gain to the ILL47 (#35 A.Pellicciotta)
1st & 10 at ILL 45
Q4 8:14
#41 K.Reynoldson punt 51 yards to the ILL31 #0 M.Resetich return 14 yards to the ILL45 (#10 T.Reed; #42 K.Johnson)
4th & 10 at DUKE 18