Duke 46–45 Clemson: Blue Devils stun Tigers with last-minute TD and two-point conversion in Death Valley classic

In a chaotic thriller at Memorial Stadium, Duke erased a late deficit and beat Clemson 46–45 on Saturday, stealing a game that swung wildly for four quarters and may reshape both teams’ ACC trajectories. A fourth-down defensive penalty kept Duke’s final drive alive; the Blue Devils punched in the tying score with under a minute left and converted the two-point try to take the lead. Clemson’s last gasp fell short, triggering a roar from the traveling section and a stunned silence from the home crowd.

How the game was won

• The decisive sequence: Facing fourth down near midfield in the final minute, Duke earned a fresh set of downs on a flag that extended the drive. A few snaps later, the Blue Devils crossed the goal line and dialed up a crisp two-point play to edge ahead 46–45.

• Hidden swing play: Earlier in the second half, Duke answered a Clemson touchdown immediately with a 100-yard kickoff return, a momentum punch that offset the Tigers’ best stretch on offense.

• Clean sheet vs. self-inflicted wound: Duke finished with zero turnovers; Clemson committed one, a narrow but crucial gap in a one-point game.

The wild scoring arc

Duke blitzed to a 21–7 first-quarter lead as Clemson’s defense leaked explosives and missed tackles in space. The Tigers stabilized, ripping off a 21–7 second quarter to level it 28–28 at halftime. A blocked-kick sequence and short fields helped Clemson nudge in front after the break, and the Tigers twice looked poised to land the knockout blow—only for Duke to answer instantly, first with the kick return and then with the game-winning drive.

Quarter by quarter:

• Q1: Duke 21, Clemson 7

• Q2: Duke 7, Clemson 21 — 28–28 at half

• Q3: Duke 7, Clemson 10 — Tigers up 38–35 entering the fourth

• Q4: Duke 11, Clemson 7 — Blue Devils win 46–45

Box-score beats that tell the story

• Total yards: Clemson 560, Duke 439 — the Tigers moved it, but didn’t close it.

• Third down: Duke 3/14, Clemson 3/10 — both lived on explosives and fourth-down aggression.

• Fourth down: Duke a perfect 5/5, Clemson 3/3 — high-leverage courage on both sidelines.

• Penalties: Duke 9 for 62 yards, Clemson 8 for 87 yards — the costliest flag extended Duke’s final march.

• Time of possession: Clemson 34:26, Duke 25:34 — volume without the finish.

What it means for the ACC race

The result flips the standings picture:

• Duke (5–3, 4–1 ACC): Back in the thick of the conference chase, with tiebreak leverage that could loom large in mid-November. The clean turnover ledger and special-teams punch are sustainable advantages.

• Clemson (3–5, 2–4 ACC): A season that began with lofty expectations now faces a narrow path to bowl eligibility. Defensive volatility and late-game operation remain the pressure points.

Tactical threads you might have missed

• Perimeter stress vs. interior heft: Duke repeatedly forced Clemson’s linebackers into space with bunch sets, motion, and quick throws, then changed tempo to prevent wholesale substitutions.

• Explosives as equalizers: Clemson’s base offense stacked yards, but Duke’s few, perfectly timed explosives — the return TD and a handful of shot plays — neutralized long Tiger drives.

• Short-yardage creativity: Both teams thrived on fourth down, mixing direct snaps, quick perimeter screens, and designed QB keepers to beat penetration.

Sideline temperature

Emotions ran hot as the first half spiraled from 21–7 to 28–28 and again in the fourth quarter amid officiating debates. Clemson’s staff wore visible frustration after surrendering the late lead; Duke’s bench stayed aggressive with clock management and down-and-distance decisions, refusing to settle for overtime on the road.

What’s next

• Duke: A manageable but pivotal November awaits. If the Blue Devils keep the turnover margin clean and maintain special-teams edges, a top-two ACC finish is within reach.

• Clemson: The margin for error is gone. Red-zone efficiency and explosive-play containment have to tighten immediately to salvage the stretch run.

If you missed it live

The game aired on ACC Network. Full replays and condensed highlights are typically available in the network’s app and the schools’ digital platforms shortly after final whistle. Check your TV provider login for on-demand access.

Duke didn’t out-gain Clemson — it out-executed Clemson in the snaps that decide games. A perfect fourth-down day, a back-breaking return, and nerves of steel on the final two-point call turned a hostile road environment into a signature one-point win.