Duke Stuns No. 9 Clemson in Prime Time, 28-7

Monday, September 4

Durham, N.C.

8 p.m.

Duke University

1-0 , 1-0

[9] Clemson

0-1 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Clemson

Duke

Duke Stuns No. 9 Clemson in Prime Time, 28-7

9/4/2023 11:46:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes Photo Gallery Postgame Interview: Coach Elko Postgame Interview: Riley Leonard Postgame Interview: DeWayne Carter

DURHAM – Duke out-scored No. 9 Clemson 22-0 in the second half and handed the Tigers a 28-7 defeat in a Labor Day Night prime-time game on Monday in Durham.

The Blue Devils (1-0) feasted on three second-half turnovers by the Tigers (0-1) in claiming the program's first win over an AP top-10 team since 1989 and snapping Clemson's 12-game winning streak in ACC play.

Junior Riley Leonard threw for 175 yards and rushed for 98 yards, including an electrifying 44-yard touchdown run that saw the dual-threat quarterback break multiple tackles to give Duke the lead at 13-7 on the first possession of the second half. But it was Duke's defense that pitched a second half shutout after trailing 7-6 at halftime.

Senior safety Jaylen Stinson finished with nine tackles, a pass breakup and his 55-yard fumble return in the third quarter turned the tide that halted a lengthy Clemson drive. Junior Jaquez Moore cashed in the Stinson fumble return with a nine-yard touchdown sprint that made it 21-7 with 10:33 left in the fourth and graduate Jordan Waters' thundering 36-yard touchdown run put the game on ice with 3:15 left.

The win was Duke's first over a ranked team since beating No. 15 North Carolina, 28-27, in 2016 and the first win over a top-10 team since beating No. 7 Clemson, 21-17, in Durham in 1989.

How It Happened

Sophomore Todd Pelino put the Blue Devils up 3-0 following a 22-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter.
The Cornelius, N.C., native added another field goal, this time from 42-yards out, early in the second quarter to extend Duke's advantage to 6-0.
The Blue Devils forced the Tigers to punt during the ensuing Clemson drive, but a muffed return handed the ball back to Clemson at the Duke 18-yard line. Five plays later, the Tigers found the end zone from two yards out for their lone score of the night.
On the opening drive of the second half, Leonard broke free for a 44-yard touchdown jaunt to put Duke up 13-7 with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter.
The Blue Devils controlled much of the final frame, finding the end zone twice on nine and 36-yard touchdown runs by Moore and Waters, respectively, to ultimately seal the win.

Notables

Duke improves to 3-1 in Monday night games, recording its first victory on Monday since January 2, 1961, against Arkansas (7-6) in the Cotton Bowl
The Blue Devils improved to 8-0 when scoring first under head coach Mike Elko.
Monday's 21-point win was Duke's largest over a top-10 opponent since beating No. 9 Colgate 34-0 in 1942.
The Blue Devil offensive line has now not relinquished a sack in two consecutive outings dating back to the 2022 Military Bowl against UCF.
Duke held Clemson to zero sacks since November 2, 2019, against Wofford.
Sophomore Chandler Rivers, graduate Jeremiah Lewis and redshirt sophomore Tre Freeman all tallied a team-best 11 tackles.
Redshirt freshman Wesley Williams blocked two field goal attempts in the game, to become the first Duke player since November 3, 2018 when Joe Giles-Harris blocked a kick against Miami.
Graduate Porter Wilson punted five times for 268 yards (53.6) and tied his career-long punt of 70 yards in the fourth quarter.