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Durham: Duke beats Virginia 19-16 on a late Sheppard touchdown pass

Duke won 19-16 at Scott Stadium on Friday night. Nate Sheppard threw a 28-yard score to Brody Keefe with 1:14 left. Duke is 5-2 (2-2 ACC). Virginia is 4-4 (2-3).

ConfirmedThe main facts are confirmed by official or first-hand sources.

By Triangle Local Newsroom · Published

The downtown Durham skyline under an overcast sky

File photo: Discover Durham (CC BY 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

What we know

Confirmed

  • Duke beat Virginia 19-16 on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.Confirmed by Duke Athletics recap and box score; Virginia Athletics scoring summary
  • The line score was Duke 7-0-3-9 and Virginia 7-6-0-3.Confirmed by Duke Athletics box score and recap; Virginia Athletics scoring summary
  • Nate Sheppard ran 32 yards for a touchdown on Duke's first series. Gavin Strange's extra point made it 7-0.Confirmed by Duke Athletics box score and recap; Virginia Athletics scoring summary
  • Jekail Middlebrook's 1-yard run tied it 7-7. Will Bettridge then kicked field goals of 21 and 32 yards for a 13-7 Virginia lead at halftime.Confirmed by Duke Athletics box score and recap; Virginia Athletics scoring summary
  • Strange kicked two 39-yard field goals, at 12:22 of the third quarter and 8:50 of the fourth, to tie the game 13-13. Bettridge's 30-yard kick at 3:00 made it 16-13 Virginia.Confirmed by Duke Athletics box score and recap; Virginia Athletics scoring summary
  • Sheppard threw a 28-yard touchdown to Brody Keefe with 1:14 left. Strange missed the extra point. The final was 19-16.Confirmed by Duke Athletics box score and recap; Virginia Athletics scoring summary
  • After the game, Duke is 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the ACC. Virginia is 4-4 and 2-3.Confirmed by Duke Athletics recap, box score and schedule; Virginia Athletics scoring summary
  • Duke next hosts Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 31, at noon.Confirmed by Duke Athletics 2026 football schedule

What happened

Duke beat Virginia 19-16 on Friday night at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.

The Blue Devils are 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the ACC. Virginia is 4-4 and 2-3. Duke's recap, box score and schedule, and Virginia's scoring summary, all list the same final.

How it finished

Nate Sheppard ran 32 yards for a touchdown on Duke's first series. Gavin Strange's kick made it 7-0.

Jekail Middlebrook scored from a yard out to tie it. Will Bettridge then made field goals of 21 and 32 yards, and Virginia led 13-7 at the break.

Strange answered with two 39-yard field goals, one in the third quarter and one with 8:50 left, tying the game 13-13. Bettridge's 30-yard kick at the 3-minute mark put Virginia back in front, 16-13.

Sheppard then threw a 28-yard touchdown to Brody Keefe with 1:14 remaining. The extra point was missed. The score stood 19-16.

What's next

Duke hosts Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 31, at noon, the schedule says.

This site is not Duke Athletics.

Why it matters

Duke is Durham's ACC football team. The road win lifts the Blue Devils to 2-2 in conference play before a home game against Boston College.

Sources

  1. Sheppard Throws Winning Touchdown; Defense Shines in 19-16 Win at Virginia (game recap: 19-16; Sheppard 32-yard run; two Strange 39-yard field goals; Sheppard 28-yard pass to Keefe)

    Official sourcePublished by Duke Athletics · Checked Oct 24, 2026, 8:00 AM

  2. Football vs Virginia on 10/23/2026, box score (19-16; scoring summary; extra point missed on the last touchdown)

    Official sourcePublished by Duke Athletics · Checked Oct 24, 2026, 8:00 AM

  3. 2026 Football Schedule (Virginia W, 19-16; vs. Boston College, Oct. 31, 12 p.m.; 5-2, 2-2 ACC)

    Official sourcePublished by Duke Athletics · Checked Oct 24, 2026, 8:00 AM

  4. Scoring Summary report, Duke vs Virginia, Oct. 23, 2026 (19-16; Sheppard 32-yard run; Bettridge field goals of 21, 32 and 30; Strange field goals of 39 and 39; Keefe 28-yard pass from Sheppard, extra point missed)

    Official sourcePublished by Virginia Athletics · Checked Oct 24, 2026, 8:00 AM

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