Clemson, S.C. — Duke coach Manny Diaz had no interest in taking his chances with overtime inside Death Valley. His team made sure he didn’t have to.
Nate Sheppard’s 3-yard touchdown run with just 40 seconds left, followed by a gutsy two-point conversion from Darian Mensah to Shamir Hagans, lifted Duke to a stunning 46–45 victory over Clemson on Saturday — the Blue Devils’ first win at Memorial Stadium since 1980.
“Going extra innings at Death Valley isn’t a good plan,” Diaz said afterward. “Winning here in regulation after 45 years — that’s a major step forward for our program.”
A Comeback for the Ages
Trailing 45–38 late in the fourth quarter, Duke took over on its own 6-yard line and orchestrated an 11-play, 94-yard drive that will be remembered for years in Durham.
Quarterback Darian Mensah twice converted on fourth down during the drive, setting up Sheppard’s short touchdown burst. Without hesitation, Diaz kept his offense on the field for the win-or-lose moment. Mensah quickly found Hagans open for the decisive two-point strike.
“We just stayed poised and showed our confidence,” Mensah said.
Mensah finished with 361 yards passing and a career-high four touchdown throws, leading the Blue Devils (5–3, 4–1 ACC) to a win that kept them in the thick of the conference title race.
Wild Momentum Swings
The game was a rollercoaster from the start. Duke dominated early, racking up 199 yards in the first quarter to race out to a 21–7 lead. Clemson answered with three straight touchdowns, grabbing a 28–21 advantage and appearing to seize control.
The Tigers led again by a touchdown with six minutes left before Duke’s furious final march flipped the outcome.
Hagans added to the highlight reel with a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown in the third quarter, while Duke went a perfect 5-for-5 on fourth down, including four conversions before halftime.
Clemson’s Slide Continues
For Clemson (3–5, 1–4 ACC), the loss marked another low point in a season spiraling away from the program’s championship standard. The Tigers have now lost four home games for the first time since 1998, and head coach Dabo Swinney admitted the situation feels eerily familiar.
“I feel like I’m in 2010 all over again,” said Swinney, referring to his 6–7 season that once had him fearing for his job — before rebounding to win eight ACC titles and two national championships.
Clemson totaled 560 yards of offense and posted its highest point total of the season, yet couldn’t deliver a stop when it mattered most.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik, returning from injury, threw for 385 yards and two touchdowns, while receiver Antonio Williams caught 10 passes for 139 yards and added both a rushing and receiving score. Defensive lineman Peter Woods, a projected NFL first-round pick, even punched in a 1-yard touchdown on a direct snap.
But the Tigers’ defense, long their hallmark, failed to finish.
“It’s not like we’re not practicing or working,” linebacker Wade Woodaz said. “It just hurts.”
Historical Context
The win snapped Duke’s 15-game losing streak at Death Valley and gave the Blue Devils five straight ACC road victories — their longest streak since 1963.
For Clemson, it’s shaping up to be the worst season of Swinney’s 17 full years at the helm. The Tigers now face a brutal stretch that includes Florida State, Louisville, and South Carolina.
The Takeaway
Duke: Resilient, aggressive, and fearless — the Blue Devils proved they belong among the ACC’s contenders. Diaz’s decision to go for two underscored a new era of confidence in Durham.
Clemson: Despite offensive fireworks, defensive lapses and inconsistency continue to derail the Tigers’ season. The proud program now faces its toughest test yet: regrouping amid adversity.
Up Next:
Duke: Travels to UConn on Saturday.
Clemson: Hosts Florida State in its final ACC home game of the season.
