Charlotte, N.C. — For the first time since 1962, Duke stands alone as the champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference. And the Blue Devils aren’t shy about what they want next.
Moments after Duke outlasted No. 16 Virginia 27–20 in overtime on Saturday night, coach Manny Diaz stepped to the microphone and immediately made his pitch.
“The ACC champion should go to the College Football Playoff this year and every year,” he said.
The message was loud, even if the outcome likely won’t be enough to send the Blue Devils into the 12-team field. At 8–5, Duke’s upset shakes up the playoff conversation — and may create an opening for a second Group of Five program, likely James Madison, to slide in.
Diaz doesn’t believe that makes sense.
He pointed to Duke’s strength of schedule: seven victories against Power Four opponents, all in conference play. James Madison, he argued, lost to the only Power Four team on its schedule — Louisville.
“You can’t compare going through the Sun Belt this year,” Diaz said. “They haven’t been through the same level of challenge.”
Overtime Drama Decides the Title
The first overtime game in ACC championship history was decided in two plays.
Darian Mensah rolled right on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line and found Jeremiah Hasley for a touchdown.
On Virginia’s first snap, Chandler Morris tried a deep throwback play but was intercepted by Luke Mergott, triggering a wave of celebration on Duke’s sideline.
Mensah, who threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns, called the moment emotional.
“To bring a championship to a school known mostly for basketball is special,” he said. “It’s something we’ve wanted to prove.”
Virginia’s Rally Comes Up Short
Virginia (10–3), the ACC’s regular-season champion, needed a victory to secure a first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Instead, the Cavaliers trailed 20–10 in the fourth quarter before mounting a furious comeback.
A field goal cut the deficit to seven, and Morris drove the offense 96 yards in less than five minutes, hitting Eli Wood in the back corner of the end zone with 22 seconds left to tie the score.
After Duke’s overtime touchdown, a roughing-the-passer penalty forced Virginia to begin its possession at the 40-yard line. Coach Tony Elliott said that immediately shifted their play-calling.
“We needed to take a shot,” Elliott said. “When you climb that mountain, the margin for error is small.”
Morris finished 21 of 40 for 216 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. ACC rushing leader J’Mari Taylor was held to 65 yards on 15 carries and scored only on an 11-yard reception.
Duke Controls the Trenches
The Blue Devils dictated terms early, owning the clock in the first half with drives lasting 9:38 and 8:02 — the two longest marches in ACC title game history. Both ended in touchdowns:
Hasley snagged a 12-yard scoring pass.
Nate Sheppard broke through for a 16-yard run.
Sheppard finished with 97 rushing yards.
Duke’s special teams also played a crucial role. Diaz dialed up aggressive calls:
A fake punt in the second quarter helped extend a go-ahead drive.
A fourth-down hard count drew Virginia offsides.
Punter Kade Reynoldson pinned Virginia at the 1-yard line, setting up a Morris interception three plays later.
What It Means
Duke:
A historic win powered by smart coaching and opportunistic special teams. The Blue Devils executed every high-leverage moment.
Virginia:
The season ends short of the playoff, but Elliott praised his team’s climb from preseason predictions.
“They were picked 14th out of 17 and earned their spot here,” he said. “That’s the heart of a champion.”.
