DraftKings · as of July 8, 2026
Duke defeated Clemson 46–45 in a nail-biter. Duke covered by 5.0; Game went Over by 36.5. The market closed at Clemson -4.0 and the Blue Chip model made it Clemson -5.0, an edge of 1.0 points toward Clemson.
Duke executed a game-winning 11-play drive from their own 6-yard line, converting two fourth downs and scoring a touchdown with 40 seconds left, followed by a successful two-point conversion to win 46-45.
Quarterback Darian Mensah threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns, and the team converted all five fourth-down attempts, showcasing a high-powered and aggressive offense.
Shamir Hagans returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, providing a crucial momentum swing and contributing to the team's overall scoring.
Duke snapped a 15-game losing streak at Clemson, won their fifth straight ACC road game (a feat not achieved since 1961-1963), and kept themselves in contention for the ACC title game.
Duke travels to UConn next Saturday, and their recent resilience and offensive firepower suggest they are capable of maintaining momentum against a non-conference opponent.
Clemson allowed 46 points and 361 passing yards to Duke, failing to get critical stops on the final drive. The defense also allowed 5-of-5 fourth-down conversions, highlighting a lack of clutch play.
Cade Klubnik returned from injury with 385 passing yards and 2 TDs, and Antonio Williams had 139 receiving yards and 2 total TDs. However, the offense couldn't sustain momentum after building a lead, and the team's 560 yards were wasted by defensive lapses.
Clemson lost its fourth home game for the first time since 1998, and the 3-5 record puts them on pace for Dabo Swinney's worst season since 2010. The team is now 1-4 in ACC play, effectively ending their title hopes.
Clemson faces Florida State in their final ACC home game. Given their defensive issues and the emotional toll of this loss, they must improve on fourth-down defense and find consistency to avoid another defeat.
At kickoff, conditions at Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC) were Sunny, 63°F with winds of 3 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Sunny
63°F

| Measure | DukeAway | ClemsonHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 238 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | Bye week | Bye week |
| Season total | 7,555 miles | 2,324 miles |
| Body clock | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Rest | 14 days | 14 days |