In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through college football, the unranked Duke Blue Devils triumphed over the No. 9 Clemson Tigers, securing a decisive 28-7 victory in Durham, North Carolina, on Monday night. This unexpected turn of events marks the largest margin of victory against Clemson since the historic year of 1936. In this article, we’ll delve into the key moments of the game, highlighting the Tigers’ costly miscues and the Blue Devils’ impressive performance.
Duke’s Game-Changing Defensive Play
The turning point of the game occurred when the Tigers faced a first-and-goal situation, only for a botched handoff between sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik and Phil Mafah to be seized by the Blue Devils’ Jaylen Stinson. Stinson’s sprint toward the opposing end zone was eventually halted by Klubnik at Clemson’s 33-yard line, but Duke capitalized on this golden opportunity just six plays later. Jaquez Moore powered through with a nine-yard run into the end zone, and a successful two-point conversion by quarterback Riley Leonard extended Duke’s lead to 21-7.
Tigers’ Early Struggles Clemson
Clemson’s troubles began early in the game when Robert Gunn III’s 41-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Wesley Williams, keeping the Blue Devils in the lead at 3-0. Later in the second half, Gunn’s shanked 23-yard field goal attempt missed a chance to close the gap to 13-10. The third quarter saw Klubnik’s fumble on Duke’s 7-yard line, allowing the Blue Devils’ Jeremiah Lewis to recover and thwart the Clemson threat. Duke also experienced ball security issues, with a Calhoun fumble on a punt return leading to Clemson’s first touchdown.
Leonard Leads Duke to Victory
Despite their respective struggles, Riley Leonard and the Blue Devils’ offense made the most of their opportunities in the second half. Leonard’s 44-yard touchdown run at the start of the third quarter quickly swung the momentum back in Duke’s favor. While Leonard had an off-day passing, going 17 of 33 for 175 yards, he compensated with 98 rushing yards and a touchdown on just eight attempts.
Controversial Fourth-Quarter Play
A pivotal moment came in the fourth quarter when Clemson faced a crucial fourth-and-7 situation. Klubnik attempted to scramble for a first down but was ruled just short of the marker. A flag was thrown after senior linebacker Cam Dillon’s targeting foul, but since it was a dead ball foul, Duke retained possession.
Duke’s Dominating Finish
Duke’s defense continued to pressure Clemson, and a tipped pass from Klubnik found the hands of Dorian Mausi. The Blue Devils sealed their blowout victory with a 36-yard touchdown run by Jordan Waters, igniting a frenzy among the home crowd. Clemson’s head coach Dabo Swinney couldn’t believe his eyes as the Tigers commenced the season with a disappointing 0-1 record.
Key Player Performances
Waters contributed 63 rushing yards on 11 attempts, including a touchdown, while also catching three passes for a team-leading 46 yards. Klubnik’s debut as a starter for Clemson yielded 209 passing yards, a touchdown pass, and an interception. Will Shipley had an impressive 114 yards on the ground for the Tigers.
Historic Victory for Duke
With this remarkable upset, Duke joins the ranks of Colorado and Texas State, who also pulled off massive upsets against TCU and Baylor, respectively. The victory cements a memorable moment in Duke football history and leaves Clemson with plenty to ponder as they regroup for the remainder of the season.