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Saturday’s game at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium proved to be a dramatic affair filled with momentum shifts.
Duke looked unstoppable as it gained 199 yards in the first quarter to lead 21-7. But Clemson woke up with three straight touchdowns to lead 28-21. The Tigers looked in control again with six minutes left in Duke’s final drive.
The 46-45 loss to the Blue Devils was another low point in what continues to be a disappointing season for Clemson. The Tigers lost four games at home for the first time since 1998.
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Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney talks with an official November 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 captured Swinney yelling furiously 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 the possibility of being fired after the heartbreaking loss to Duke.
“No,” Swinney said when asked if this was the most exasperating season he’s had since becoming head coach at Clemson. “2010, I’d probably put this one and 10 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 during 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] could be fired today,” Swinney said as he recalled feeling uncertain about his employment status after a disappointing loss to South Carolina more than a decade ago. “Graham (Neff, Clemson’s athletic director) is sitting in the back today, so I don’t know. I can’t say I’ll blame him.”
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Swinney later downplayed concerns about his job, telling FOX Carolina he remained focused on winning.
“We need 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 remaining, and the Blue Devils followed with a two-point conversion from Darian Mensah to wide receiver Shamir Hagans to secure a Clemson victory 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 somewhere you haven’t won in 45 years? That’s a major step for our program.”
Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz gives high-fives to 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)
Duke trailed 45-38 and started the game-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 score.
There was no hesitation from Duke’s Diaz as he kept the offense on the court and Mensah quickly found Hagans for the decisive points.
Clemson hosts Florida State next week.
