# Duke Football Grading After Loss

> Duke's football team struggles as they grade position groups after loss to North Carolina.
- Title: Duke Football Grading After Loss · Duke Blue Devils On SI
- Summary: Duke's football team struggles as they grade position groups after loss to North Carolina. Duke football's position groups are graded after a 24-20 loss to…
- Keywords: duke blue devils, north carolina, manny diaz, football, quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, secondary
- Source: Duke Blue Devils On SI — https://si.com/college/duke/blue-devils-grading-every-football-position-group-after-loss-north-carolina
- Published: 2026-10-19T11:00:03+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: duke blue devils, north carolina, manny diaz, football, quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, secondary
## Duke Football Program Status
Duke football program is in a very different spot than it was just a few weeks ago after falling at home 24-20 to North Carolina in a battle for the Victory Bell.
## Current Record
Duke is now 4-2 overall and 1-2 in ACC action after dropping their second straight contest.
## Next Game
Duke will face Virginia in Charlottesville amid a two-game skid following the disappointing loss to the Tar Heels.
## Quarterback Grade
Quarterback Walker Eget received a C- for being inconsistent, missing several throws that would've become big plays, and having balls that should've been picked off.
## Running Back Grade
Running back Nate Sheppard earned an A with 77 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 20 carries and 11 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.
## Wide Receiver Grade
Wide receivers received a B- for getting open but struggling with execution on chunk plays, with Jared Richardson leading with three catches for 55 yards.
## Tight End Grade
Tight end Jeremiah Hasley received a B- for catching two passes for 16 yards, with Nate Kurisky not doing much in the loss.
## Offensive Line Grade
Offensive line received a B+ for adjusting well to protect quarterback Walker Eget after Matt Craycraft was out of the game.
## Defensive Line Grade
Defensive line received a B for logging two sacks and five tackles for loss, with Preston Watson leading the team in total tackles with eight.
## Linebacker Grade
Linebacker unit received a B for being productive against North Carolina with Nick Morris Jr. tallying seven tackles and Luke Mergott five.
## Secondary Grade
Secondary received a B for having highs and lows against North Carolina, with Jordan Shipp tallying seven catches for 75 yards and a score.
## Kicker Grade
Kicker Gavin Strange earned an A for going 2-for-2 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points after stepping in for Cosme Salas.
## Punter Grade
Punter Kade Reynoldson received a D for averaging 40.7 yards on three punts after making early punting blunders.
## What Happens Next
Duke must regroup after their loss to North Carolina to maintain a successful season with Manny Diaz and his staff.
## Key takeaway

Duke football's position groups are graded after a 24-20 loss to North Carolina, with quarterback Walker Eget receiving a C- and running back Nate Sheppard an A.