Bill O’Brien was a man of few words following Boston College’s dispiriting 47-2 loss to Duke on Saturday, so when asked about Blue Devils’ running back Nate Sheppard, he was simple and succinct.
“He's a great player,” the Eagles head coach said. “Great player.”
Granted, no coach would want to dwell on what happened to them thanks to Sheppard, who put up a program-record five rushing touchdowns in the rout. The sophomore’s last touchdown of the day in the third quarter also gave him 18 total touchdowns on the year, a season record for the Blue Devils.
“Obviously, Nate Shepherd getting the end zone five times- what an accomplishment, what a player,” Diaz said. “Can't say enough about him. I think everything that can be said has been said, but yet
he still does things that no one has ever done. And again, it's not even November. I think he's got the school record (for) touchdowns of the season, and we've got four left to play, plus wherever they send us after that.”
The game got off to an iffy start for the star running back, who limped off the field on Duke’s first drive. He would quickly return, capping off the second drive of the game with a one-yard touchdown. Another run, this time from two yards out, gave Duke a 13-0 lead.
His second-quarter touchdown run showcased Sheppard’s talent. After taking the handoff, he juked to the outside and then outraced the Boston College defense for a 54-yard score. The rout continued, with two more scores from Sheppard in the third quarter and Duke putting in their reserves.
“I came in here and wanted to set records, especially at the running back position,” Sheppard said after the game. “And to be able to do that, it's a lot of credit to them guys up front, getting me in position so many times, and the guys out wide making plays, but it feels great.”
As for whether he’s one of the best running backs in program history, Sheppard doesn’t shy away from that recognition.
“Yes, I definitely feel like I'm in that conversation for sure,” he said. “I don't like to put stuff out there like that, but I definitely think I'm up there for sure.”
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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Manny Diaz on Nate Sheppard's historic day: 'What an accomplishment'
