Sheppard runs for five touchdowns and Duke races past Boston College 47-2

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Nate Sheppard ran for three of his school-record five touchdowns in the first half as Duke rolled past Boston College 47-2 on Saturday.

Sheppard gained 97 yards on 20 carries. He had touchdown runs of 1, 2, 54, 4 and 1 yards, helping keep the defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions in the title hunt. The Blue Devils (6-2, 3-2 ACC) have won two in a row after the first meeting with Boston College in four years.

Walker Eget threw for 201 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Hasley for the final first-half touchdown that led to a 27-2 lead.

Boston College (4-4, 2-3), which had a two-game winning streak end, was held to 213 yards of total offense. Mason McKenzie was 9-for-17 for 87 yards in the air.

The Eagles scored following Duke’s second touchdown when Carter Davis made a 100-yard return with a blocked extra-point kick. It marked the first defensive extra point surrendered by Duke since 1999.

Sheppard has 14 rushing touchdowns and four receiving TDs this year. The 18 total touchdowns mark a single-season school record.

Boston College: A week after the Eagles posted 49-27 victory at Georgia Tech, it marked a difficult return to Durham for coach Bill O’Brien and defensive coordinator Ted Roof. O’Brien was Duke’s offensive coordinator 20 years ago during a period when Roof was Duke’s coach.

Duke: The Blue Devils pieced together a splendid performance on their final Saturday home game of the season, holding their fourth opponent of the season to a single-digit point total. Duke made six sacks with 11 tackles for loss.

Boston College: Home vs. Florida State next Saturday.

Duke: At N.C. State next Saturday

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