Overview
- A defensive pass interference on Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell on fourth-and-10 set up Duke’s go-ahead touchdown, and Darian Mensah hit Sahmir Hagans for the two-point conversion with about 40 seconds left for the 46-45 win.
- Dabo Swinney erupted at his secondary after allowing 28 first‑half points, then called the late flag “one of the worst calls” of his career; such penalties are not reviewable in college football.
- Mensah posted 361 passing yards and four touchdowns as Duke converted multiple fourth downs, including a pivotal 56-yard completion on the final drive, for its first road victory at Clemson since 1980.
- Clemson’s offense piled up 560 yards with Cade Klubnik throwing for 385 yards and two scores, but defensive breakdowns and a 100-yard kickoff return allowed undermined the performance.
- The loss drops the Tigers to 3-5, meaning they must win three of their final four games to reach bowl eligibility, with growing external scrutiny of Swinney’s future reported in light of a sizable buyout.