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Saturday’s game at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium turned out to be a dramatic affair full of momentum swings.
Duke seemed unstoppable as it gained 199 yards in the first quarter to lead 21-7. But Clemson woke up with three consecutive touchdowns to take a 28-21 lead. The Tigers appeared to be in control again with six minutes remaining on Duke’s final drive.
The 46-45 loss to the Blue Devils was another low point in what remains a disappointing season for Clemson. The Tigers have lost four games at home for the first time since 1998.
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Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney speaks with an official Nov. 1, 2025, during the NCAA football game against the Duke Blue Devils at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Alex Martin/Greenville News/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
With seconds left before halftime, cameras caught Swinney yelling angrily at players along the Clemson sideline.
After the game, Swinney reflected on some of the devastating losses he had been a part of during his long coaching tenure at Clemson. He then joked about possibly being fired after the heartbreaking loss to Duke.
“No,” Swinney responded when asked if this was the most infuriating season he’s had since becoming head coach at Clemson. “2010, I’d put this one and 10 probably right there…those two. I mean 10, brutal. We lost five games by six points or less, two in overtime.”
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney communicates with a referee in a game against Louisiana State University at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, on August 30, 2025. (Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
“[I] “They can be fired today,” Swinney said as he recalled feeling insecure about his job situation after a disappointing loss to South Carolina more than a decade ago. “Graham (Neff, Clemson athletic director) is sitting in the back today, so I don’t know. I can’t say I blame him.”
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Swinney later downplayed concerns about his job, telling FOX Carolina that he remains focused on winning.
“We’ve got to win some games. I’m just worried about trying to beat Florida State,” Swinney said.
Duke running back Nate Sheppard had a 3-yard touchdown run with 40 seconds left, and the Blue Devils followed with a two-point conversion from Darian Mensah to wide receiver Shamir Hagans to secure a win at Clemson for the first time since 1980.
“Going extra innings in Death Valley is not really a good plan,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “Winning in regulation something that we haven’t achieved in 45 years? This is an important step for our program.”
Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz high-fives players Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, during the NCAA football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Alex Martin/Greenville News/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Trailing 45-38, Duke began the winning drive at its 6-yard line. Mensah led an 11-play drive in which he converted two fourth downs to set up Sheppard’s scoring run.
There was no hesitation from Duke’s Diaz, who kept the offense on the field and Mensah quickly found Hagans for the decisive points.
Clemson will host Florida State next week.
