Duke Wins ACC Football Title Over Virginia

Duke University claimed its first Atlantic Coast Conference football championship since 1989 with a 27-20 overtime victory over Virginia on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The win capped a resilient season for the Blue Devils, who finished with an 8-5 record, while handing the Cavaliers a tough 10-3 finish despite their strong conference play.

The game remained tight throughout, with Virginia tying the score at 20-20 on an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chandler Morris to wide receiver Eli Wood with just over a minute left in regulation. In overtime, Duke struck first with a touchdown drive, putting pressure on Virginia. The Cavaliers' ensuing possession ended abruptly when Morris's pass on a trick play was intercepted, sealing the Blue Devils' triumph. Duke's success relied on clutch execution and momentum from a 7-2 ACC record, though nonconference defeats to Tulane, Connecticut and Illinois earlier in the season factored into their postseason path.

Despite the championship, Duke was overlooked for the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field announced Sunday. The selection committee prioritized the top five conference...