Clemson’s offense delivered one of its most balanced efforts of the season, moving the ball efficiently and finishing drives with precision. But every surge forward was met with a setback — a defensive breakdown, a special teams lapse, or a missed opportunity to close out a possession. Duke capitalized on those cracks, striking for long touchdowns and flipping momentum with a 100-yard kickoff return and a blocked punt recovery. In a game where Clemson outgained Duke by more than 120 yards, the Tigers
were undone not by production, but by timing — and a few costly errors that turned efficiency into heartbreak.
OFFENSE
Total Offense
- Total Yards Gained: 560
- Yards Per Play: 7.8
- Tackles for Loss Allowed: 1
- Explosive Plays: 8 total — 2 passes (≥20 yds), 6 runs (≥10 yds)
- Success Rate: 49% (approx.)
- Havoc Plays Allowed: 3 — 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble
Passing
- Passing Yards: 385
- QB (Klubnik): 27-36, 385 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
- Leading Receiver (Williams): 9 rec, 142 yds, 1 TD
- Sacks Allowed: 1 (-6 yds)
Run Game
- Rushing Yards: 175
- Attempts: 36 (4.9 avg)
- Leading Rusher (Randall): 16 att, 89 yds, 5.6 avg, 2 TD
Summary: Statistically, this was the best total offense performance of the season. The passing game was very efficient and put up a lot of yards. The run game was gashing the Duke defense. However, Clemson moved away from the ground game as the game tightened, relying heavily on Klubnik’s arm. Clemson reduced its run rate by nearly 30% after halftime despite consistent success on the ground (≥5.0 YPC through 3 quarters).
Another way to say it is that Clemson opened efficiently — scoring on 4 of its first 7 drives — but finished with just 2 scores in its final 6. Empty possessions increased as run usage dropped and Duke tightened coverage. The result was a steady decline in drive efficiency, particularly in the 3rd quarter, where Clemson managed only one scoring drive while leading in 3 attempts.
DEFENSE
Total Offense Allowed
- Total Yards Allowed: 439
- Plays Allowed: 64
- Yards Per Play Allowed: 6.9
- Tackles for Loss: 2
- Explosive Plays Allowed: 11 total — 7 passes (≥20 yds), 4 runs (≥10 yds)
- Success Rate Allowed: 42% (approx.)
- Havoc: 4 — 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 0 forced fumbles, 0 INTs
Passing
- Passing Yards Allowed: 361
- Opponent QB (Mensah): 27-42, 361 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT
- Opponent Leading Receiver (Barkate): 5 rec, 127 yds, 1 TD
- Sacks Created: 2 (-15 yds)
Run Game
- Rushing Yards Allowed: 78
- Attempts: 22 (3.5 avg)
- Leading Rusher (Sheppard): 10 att, 60 yds, 6.0 avg, 1 TD
Summary: The Tiger defense continued a downward trajectory that started with Boston College. This was the worst performance of the year (according to PFF). The defense did not generate a single turnover, allowed 5 scores on explosive plays, did not generate any meaningful pressure on Mensah, so many coverage busts, could not get off the field on 3rd or 4th down and blitzed almost half the dropbacks with basically nothing to show for it. On a lighter note, they did do a fair job on containing the run by only allowing 78 yards and 3.5 ypc. Needless to say, it was not a good day.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Clemson Kicker (Hauser): 1-1 FG (22 yds), 6-6 PAT
- Clemson Punter (Smith): 3 punts, 135 yds (45 avg), 1 inside-20
- Duke Kicker (Pelino): 1-1 FG (37 yds), 5-5 PAT
- Duke Punter (Reynoldson): 4 punts, 152 yds (38 avg), 1 inside-20, 2 50+
Summary: P Jack Smith was very good again, including a punt inside the 5 when it was needed the most. However, the 100-yard KO return was a momentum killer. Was he touched at all???
SITUATIONAL
3rd Down
- Clemson: 3-of-10 (30%)
- Duke: 3-of-14 (21%)
4th Down
- Clemson: 3-of-3 (100%)
- Duke: 5-of-5 (100%)
Red Zone
- Clemson: 6-of-6 (100%)
- Duke: 4-of-4 (100%)
Penalties
- Clemson: 8 for 87 yds
- Duke: 9 for 62 yds
Time of Possession
- Clemson: 34:26
- Duke: 25:35
Summary: Clemson was pretty weak situationally. Could not get a stop 4th down or in the red zone and had much higher penalty yards than the average for the season.
Clemson lost despite controlling possession (34:26) and producing 8 explosive plays, largely because Duke generated 11 explosives, including five touchdowns of 20+ yards and a 100-yard kickoff return TD. The offense played well enough to get the win. But the defense did very little to help. I dont think i can remember a loss like this one. When the defense fails, it’s usually because the offense was inept and kept them on the field most of the game. This was not that game.
