In a stunning season opener, the Duke Blue Devils delivered an impressive performance by defeating the 9th-ranked Clemson Tigers with a final score of 28-7 on Monday night giving the fans a moment to relish.
In the thrilling match at Wallace Wade Stadium, the Blue Devils were fueled by their passionate home crowd as they shut out the Tigers in the second half. This win marked their first victory against a top-10 opponent since their clash with then No. 7 Clemson in 1989. Before this, Duke had a daunting record of 0-28 against top-10 adversaries.
At halftime, the Blue Devils were trailing 7-6. However, guided by the talented quarterback, Riley Leonard, they seized control of the game in the subsequent quarters.
During the third quarter, with a score of 7-6 in favor of the opposing team, Leonard made a remarkable 44-yard touchdown run that stole the spotlight. This game-changing play helped the Blue Devils into the leading position, and they maintained their advantage until the end.
In total, Leonard contributed 175 passing yards and one touchdown, along with an impressive 98 rushing yards throughout the game.
After Leonard's remarkable solo performance, the Blue Devils extended their lead on the scoreboard. Furthermore, they managed to keep the Tigers from scoring in the second half, securing a major upset victory in Week 1 that led to a rush of Duke fans onto the field.
As the game intensified, Clemson found themselves committing costly mistakes, including fumbling the ball twice when they were mere yards from the end zone. These instances epitomized the Tigers' lackluster performance.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney remarked that the game was the weirdest he had ever been a part of, as reported by ESPN. He went on to express, "I've been beat. I've had my butt kicked. But that's the strangest game I've ever been a part of."
He further commented that it was almost indescribable what he just saw and lamented that it is incredibly frustrating when you have so much opportunity.
