Clemson vs. Duke: Tigers Implosion as Blue Devils Secure Historic Win

Duke's stunning victory over Clemson, dominating them 28-7, marks their first win against a top-10 opponent since 1989.

In a remarkable turn of events, Duke University's football team emerged victorious in a game against the ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers, securing a momentous win for coach Mike Elko and his Blue Devils. This triumph marked Duke's first victory over Clemson since 2004 and their first win against an AP top-10 opponent since their legendary victory over No. 7 Clemson in 1989 under the guidance of renowned coach Steve Spurrier.

Despite Clemson's arrival in Durham, North Carolina with a revamped offense led by first-year coordinator Garrett Riley and quarterback Cade Klubnik, they struggled to find their rhythm. Costly mistakes in the red zone, including a blocked 23-yard field goal and two fumbles just outside the goal line, proved detrimental to Clemson's chances. One of these fumbles resulted in a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Blue Devils after a mere six plays.

On the other hand, Duke's offense outperformed Clemson's, thanks in large part to an exceptional performance by quarterback Riley Leonard. The junior's standout moment came in the third quarter when he sprinted for an electrifying 44-yard touchdown run, propelling the Blue Devils to a 13-7 lead that they maintained until the end. Leonard concluded the game with an impressive 273 yards of total offense, including his memorable touchdown run.

Although Clemson had opportunities to regain the lead, they repeatedly stumbled. Despite making it into Duke territory on eight out of their 13 possessions and not punting once in the second half, they only managed to score one touchdown from these advantageous positions.

Klubnik primarily relied on short passes throughout the game and finished with 209 passing yards at an average of fewer than 5 yards per attempt, along with an interception. His sole touchdown of the night came from a short pass to Will Shipley in the first half.

Let's delve into the key takeaways from Duke's monumental upset over a top-10 opponent.

Technically, Duke's victory was considered an upset as they were 13-point underdogs before the game. However, the reality is that Duke thoroughly outplayed Clemson in every aspect. Leonard proved himself to be the superior quarterback, exhibiting remarkable composure against one of college football's most formidable defensive fronts. Even in the face of pressure, Riley remained calm and collected.

The battle in the trenches when Duke had possession showcased strength versus strength, with the Blue Devils' offensive line effortlessly neutralizing the Tigers. Riley remained unscathed throughout the game, never being sacked, and the running backs averaged an impressive 5.3 yards per rush. For the first time in a long while, Clemson's typically stifling defense was outmatched by a conference opponent. Additionally, Duke's team speed rivaled, if not surpassed, that of the Tigers.

This victory was not a fluke. While Clemson's red zone fumbles and missed field goals certainly didn't aid their cause, the Blue Devils earned this win fair and square on both offense and defense.

Klubnik entered the season with some Heisman Trophy hype, despite only having one career start. The combination of Klubnik's talent and Riley's success at TCU was expected to rejuvenate Clemson's offense, reminiscent of the glory days when Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence were in command.

Unfortunately, that revival did not materialize. Who should shoulder the blame? Coach Dabo Swinney and coordinator Garrett Riley bear more responsibility than Klubnik. In the first half, the sophomore quarterback completed 14 of 21 passes but only amassed 103 yards. He attempted just one deep pass, an 18-yarder to Antonio Williams, as the clock ran out with Duke's defense defending a Hail Mary.

Did Klubnik do something in practice that made the coaching staff hesitant to unleash him? This question may go unanswered within the program. However, Klubnik's lackluster performance in the second half, completing only 13 of 23 passes for a mere 124 yards when Clemson needed him most, suggests that either the coaching staff's game plan was flawed or they simply lack confidence in a quarterback who was named MVP in the 2022 ACC Championship Game.

Is Swinney truly one of the top college football coaches? This question holds weight at this point. He doesn't appear to belong in the same tier as Georgia's Kirby Smart or Alabama's Nick Saban. Perhaps Swinney's success was largely due to generational talents like Watson and Lawrence.

This question gains further validity when we consider former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who now plays for Oregon State. In his debut for the Beavers, Uiagalelei completed 20 of 25 passes for 239 yards and scored five total touchdowns during a resounding 42-17 victory over San Jose State on Sunday.

Uiagalelei received much of the blame for Clemson's offensive struggles over the past two years. However, after the Tigers managed a mere seven points on Monday, it's reasonable to question whether he was truly the problem.