Duke Stuns Clemson 46-45, Ends 1980 Drought

Duke stunned Clemson 46-45 at Memorial Stadium on an 11-play, 94-yard drive capped by a game-winning two-point conversion with 40 seconds left, giving Duke its first win at Clemson since 1980. The finish was clouded by a controversial defensive pass interference flag on Clemson CB Avieon Terrell on fourth-and-10 near the goal line, a call coach Dabo Swinney called “one of the worst” he’s seen. Duke QB Darian Mensah threw for more than 360 yards and four touchdowns as Duke totaled 439 yards, while Clemson repeatedly struggled on defense despite big plays from QB Cade Klubnik and a functioning run game. The loss drops Clemson to 3-5 (2-4 ACC), imperils bowl eligibility and extends the Tigers’ troubling skid at home against Power Four opponents. Video of Swinney’s sideline tirades went viral, and he angrily addressed the media after the game, criticizing both the officiating and his team’s mistakes amid renewed fan criticism.