Duke Blue Devils Edge Clemson Tigers in Memorial Stadium Nail-Biter

The Duke Blue Devils emerged victorious against the Clemson Tigers with a narrow 46-45 win at Memorial Stadium. This victory improved the Blue Devils' record to 5-3, while the Tigers fell to 3-5. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their offensive prowess.

First Quarter

The first quarter saw an explosive start from Duke as they took control early on, scoring 21 points compared to Clemson's 7. Darian Mensah led the charge for Duke with his precise passing, completing several key throws that set up touchdowns. His connection with Cooper Barkate was particularly effective, resulting in a long touchdown pass that electrified the crowd.

Second Quarter

Clemson responded fiercely in the second quarter by matching Duke's intensity and scoring 21 points of their own while holding Duke to just one touchdown. The Tigers' defense tightened up significantly during this period, forcing Mensah into difficult situations and limiting his options downfield.

Third Quarter

In the third quarter, both teams continued to battle it out on equal footing. The Blue Devils managed another touchdown thanks to Nate Sheppard's impressive rushing performance which added crucial yards and kept drives alive. Meanwhile, Clemson added another ten points through strategic plays that tested Duke’s defensive line.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter was a tense affair as both teams fought tooth and nail for supremacy. With only minutes left on the clock and trailing by one point after a successful two-point conversion by Sahmir Hagans following his own kick return touchdown earlier in the game, Todd Pelino sealed it for Duke with a field goal from 37 yards out—his accuracy under pressure proving vital once again.

This thrilling encounter between these two competitive sides will be remembered for its high stakes and dramatic moments—a true testament to college football’s unpredictable nature.

Looking ahead, fans can catch their next matchup when they face off against UConn Huskies at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford on November 8th at 3:30 PM EDT; tune into CBS Sports Network for live coverage!

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