Hagans' Two-Point Conversion Pushes Duke Past Clemson, 46-45

Saturday, November 1

Clemson, S.C.

12 p.m.

Duke University

Clemson

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Hagans' Two-Point Conversion Pushes Duke Past Clemson, 46-45

11/1/2025 4:43:00 PM | Football

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CLEMSON, S.C. – In a seesaw battle on Saturday afternoon inside Memorial Stadium, Duke had the final tally in topping Clemson, 46-45. With the teams tied 28-28 at the half, 35-35 with eight minutes left in the third and 38-38 with 10:40 to play, the Blue Devils got the final march of the day on a 94-yard touchdown drive and Sahmir Hagans' two-point conversion reception for the victory.

The win was Duke's first in Death Valley since 1980 and the first time the Blue Devils had consecutive victories against Clemson since 1969 and 1970. Duke improved to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in ACC play for its best league start since 2014. The Blue Devils also extended their road ACC winning streak to five games, the program's longest since 1961-63.

Blue Devil quarterback Darian Mensah tallied four passing touchdowns in the opening half and finished with 361 yards. Wide receivers Cooper Barkate and Que'Sean Brown combined for 12 catches, 207 receiving yards and three touchdowns to pace the offensive attack. Hagans had the game-winning conversion as well as a 100-yard kickoff return for a score during the third quarter.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After forcing a three-and-out, capped by Moussa Kane's first career sack, Duke took its opening drive and went ahead 7-0 on a 19-yard strike from Darian Mensah to Que'Sean Brown at the 10:08 mark of the first quarter. Cooper Barkate helped keep the 53-yard drive alive with a pair of fourth-down receptions covering 20 yards.
Clemson answered with a game-tying touchdown on its next drive as Antonio Williams ran it in from five yards away. He also helped set up the score with a 64-yard catch.
It was Duke's turn for an explosive play on its next drive as Barkate hauled in a 77-yard touchdown pass from Mensah to retake the lead at 14-7 with 5:33 left in the first quarter. It was the Blue Devils' longest pass of the year, a career-long snag for Barkate and Clemson's longest pass allowed since 2020.
After forcing another three-and-out, the Blue Devils capitalized again and a 20-yard pass from Mensah to Andrel Anthony pushed Duke's lead to 21-7 with five seconds remaining in the first quarter. Another fourth-down conversion, a 19-yard reception by Jeremiah Hasley, again kept the drive alive.
Mensah became just the fifth quarterback in Duke history to throw for three or more scores in a quarter, joining David Green, Ben Bennett, Dave Brown and Daniel Jones.
Clemson (3-5, 2-4 ACC) responded with a 21-0 run in the second quarter to take a 28-21 advantage at the 1:01 mark of the opening half. Williams' second score of the game, this time on a four-yard reception, made it 21-14 Duke. Adam Randall scored consecutive TDs with two-yard rushes to push the Tigers ahead.
Duke knotted the game at halftime with Brown's second score of the game with 11 seconds remaining. Brown brought in a 43-yard pass from Mensah for Duke's eighth touchdown in the past seven games in the last 2:20 of the opening halves.
Following a blocked punt, Clemson punched in a one-yard Peter Woods touchdown run to regain the lead at 35-28 with 8:25 left in the third.
Duke's Sahmir Hagans ran back the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown as he sprinted down the field nearly untouched to even the action at 35-35.
Clemson closed the third with a field goal for a 38-35 edge.
Todd Pelino tied the game again at 38-38 with 10:40 to play, kicking a 37-yard field goal.
On the first offensive play after Pelino's field goal, a 75-yard scoring pass from Cade Klubnik to T.J. Moore put the Tigers ahead, 45-38.
Duke punted on its next drive, but forced a Clemson punt after five plays to create one final opportunity.
Mensah drove Duke from its own six-yard line the length of the field with freshman Nate Sheppard scoring the touchdown from three yards out to set the stage for Hagans' conversion.