The Clemson Tigers faced a tough loss at home against the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, in a game filled with back-and-forth action.
Duke started strong, gaining 199 yards in the first quarter and taking a 21-7 lead. However, Clemson fought back, scoring three touchdowns in a row to take the lead at 28-21. With only six minutes remaining, Clemson seemed to be in control, but Duke mounted a final drive that changed the game.
The Blue Devils ultimately defeated the Tigers 46-45, marking another setback in what has been a challenging season for Clemson. This loss marks the fourth home game the Tigers have lost, a situation not seen since 1998.
Cameras caught Clemson’s coach, Dabo Swinney, expressing his frustration to players on the sideline just before halftime. Following the game, Swinney reflected on past defeats during his time coaching at Clemson. He even made a lighthearted comment about the possibility of being fired after the loss to Duke.
When asked if this season was the most frustrating of his career, Swinney pointed to the 2010 season as being similarly difficult, noting that the team lost five games by a small margin of six points or less.
Swinney also recalled a time when he felt his job was in danger after a loss to South Carolina more than ten years ago, suggesting he wouldn’t blame the athletic director if he were to be let go. However, he later clarified that his focus remains on winning and preparing for the next game against Florida State.
With just 40 seconds left in the game, Duke running back Nate Sheppard scored a 3-yard touchdown. The Blue Devils then successfully completed a two-point conversion, with Darian Mensah passing to Shamir Hagans, securing their first win at Clemson since 1980.
Duke’s coach, Manny Diaz, recognized the significance of the win, calling it a major step for the program. He highlighted the difficulty of winning at Clemson’s “Death Valley” and celebrated the team’s accomplishment after a long drought.
The winning drive for Duke started on their own 6-yard line, with the team trailing 45-38. Mensah led an impressive 11-play drive, converting two fourth-down attempts, which ultimately set up Sheppard’s touchdown. Diaz’s decision to go for the two-point conversion showed confidence in his team and sealed the victory for the Blue Devils.
Clemson will look to rebound as they prepare to host Florida State in their next game. The team will need to address the issues that led to the loss against Duke and work towards a stronger performance in their upcoming games.
