Duke Beats Clemson 46-45 in Death Valley

Duke stunned Clemson 46-45 at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 1, marking its first win in Death Valley since 1980. Darian Mensah threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns, and Sahmir Hagans returned a kickoff 100 yards and caught the deciding two-point conversion on a play tight ends coach Justin Watts had drawn up the night before. A controversial pass‑interference flag on 4th-and-10 wiped out an apparent incompletion, giving Duke a first down and setting up the game-tying score. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik returned and produced big plays, including a late 75-yard touchdown, but his final Hail Mary with 40 seconds remaining fell incomplete. The upset leaves Duke one win from bowl eligibility, spotlights Duke’s explosive passing and special teams, and raises questions about Clemson’s secondary and some officiating calls.