Dabo Swinney, Clemson lose to Duke at home after giving up 46 points
By David Wasson
Published:
The Clemson Tigers saw a miserable 2025 season continue Saturday, as Duke got 361 passing yards and 4 touchdowns from quarterback Darian Mensah en route to handing the Tigers a 46-45 loss at Memorial Stadium.
Head coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers are now 3-5 overall (2-4 in the ACC) and in danger of their first losing season since 2010’s 6-7 mark – Swinney’s second full season as coach. Clemson is also teetering closer to seeing a 20-year run of bowl eligibility – the fourth-longest active streak in the country – crumble. The Tigers are also still in search of a home victory against a Power 4 team in 2025.
Duke running back Nate Sheppard rumbled for a 3-yard touchdown run with 40 seconds remaining to cap an 11-play, 94-yard drive and spoil Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik’s return from injury. Klubnik passed for 385 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Blue Devils, including a 75-yard score to T.J. Moore with 10:28 to play.
Clemson outgained Duke (5-3, 4-1) 560-439, including a 175-78 rushing yards difference. But the Tigers were unable to move the ball past their own 37 in the waning seconds of the game before a lateral fumble was recovered by Duke to seal it.
Duke’s Cooper Barkate and Clemson’s Antonio Williams each turned in 100-yard receiving efforts, with Barkate catching 6 passes for 127 yards and a score and Williams pulling in 10 passes for 142 yards and a score. Clemson’s Adam Russell rushed for a game-high 89 yards on 16 carries and 2 touchdowns.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
