Duke edges Clemson 46-45 after late defensive pass interference call

Duke edged Clemson 46-45 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, handing the Tigers a dramatic home defeat that deepened questions about Clemson’s season and prompted a heated sideline confrontation from coach Dabo Swinney. The Blue Devils rallied in the fourth quarter after a controversial defensive pass interference call and a subsequent touchdown and two-point conversion gave Duke the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining; Clemson’s final Hail Mary fell incomplete.

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah threw four touchdown passes, including a 77-yard score in the first quarter, and repeatedly capitalized on breakdowns in Clemson’s secondary. Clemson surrendered 28 points in the first half and trailed by 14 after the opening quarter before rallying to tie the game 28-28 at halftime. The broadcast captured Swinney loudly rebuking his defense in the closing seconds of the first half, at one point saying, "They got 28 damn points on you."

Clemson staged multiple comebacks during the contest. Quarterback Cade Klubnik connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass to TJ Moore that put the Tigers ahead 45-38 with 10:28 to play. Facing a 95-yard drive from their own 5-yard...