Duke Football Wins First Clemson Road Game Since 1980

Duke football secured a historic 46-45 victory over Clemson at Clemson's Memorial Stadium, marking their first road win against the Tigers since 1980. The Blue Devils trailed 45-38 with under a minute remaining but executed an 11-play, 94-yard drive led by quarterback Darian Mensah, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown run by Nate Sheppard and a decisive two-point conversion pass from Mensah to Sahmir Hagans. Duke's coach Manny Diaz deliberately avoided overtime, opting to go for the win in regulation, a strategy that paid off as the defense held Clemson on the final possession. Despite Clemson accumulating 560 yards and scoring their highest points of the season, their defense faltered, contributing to a disappointing season for the defending ACC champions, who have lost four home games for the first time since 1998. Mensah finished with 361 passing yards and four touchdowns, showcasing poise and confidence throughout the game. This victory is seen as a major step forward for Duke's program and ended a long-standing losing streak at Clemson dating back over four decades.