Duke Upsets Clemson Top 10 Win: Duke football made history by beating a top-10 team for the first time in 34 years. The Blue Devils’ 28-7 win over No. 9 Clemson ended a 12,392-day run.
Duke last beat a top 10 team on September 30, 1989, defeating No. 7 Clemson 21-17. Steve Spurrier was their coach. Spurrier and players from the 1989 Blue Devils team attending Duke’s first game of the 2023 season against the reigning ACC champions added nostalgia.
Riley Leonard, the QB, played a key role in this win by throwing the winning score. The Blue Devils proved their skill with five game-changing plays. They stopped two field goals and picked up three fumbles. This win was crucial as Duke had lost 28 consecutive games to top 10 AP football poll teams.
Clemson’s defense pressured Duke’s quarterback Riley Leonard in the first half. But on the first play of the second half, Leonard made a game-changing move. He evaded a potential tackler and showed great agility while running along the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown. This play shifted the game in Duke’s favor. They led in the third quarter and held on for the win.
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The Tigers attempted two field goals, but Duke’s special teams blocked both. This demonstrated their skill. In the first half, Ja’Mion Franklin blocked a kick. In the second half, Wesley Williams, another defensive lineman, did the same thing. These blocks aided Duke in maintaining control. In the second half, the Blue Devils displayed defensive skills with two fumble recoveries and an interception. This confirmed their superiority over Clemson.
Next week, at 6 p.m. ET, the Blue Devils play Lafayette (1-0) in Durham. Duke’s next game against a Power Five team is against Northwestern on September 16. The Lafayette Leopards proved their toughness by defeating Sacred Heart 19-14 in Week 1. This win changes Duke’s past and shows the team’s determination. With things going well for the Blue Devils, an exciting season lies ahead.
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Our Reader’s Queries
When was the last time Duke beat a top 10 team?
It’s been over three decades since Duke’s program last took down a top-10 team, defeating No. 7 Clemson in 1989 during Steve Spurrier’s final season as head coach. This recent win marks a monumental achievement for the team.
How did Duke beat Clemson?
Duke completely dominated Clemson in every way. Leonard proved himself to be the superior quarterback, taking control of the game right from the beginning. His composure in the face of one of college football’s strongest defensive lines was impressive and not something many other quarterbacks could have managed.
How many 10 win seasons has Clemson had?
Clemson achieved its 19th 10-win season in 2022, with 12 of those seasons happening under Dabo Swinney’s leadership. Out of the 133 active FBS schools, only nine have secured at least six wins at the FBS level every year since 2015.
How many times has Clemson beat Duke in football?
Clemson’s all-time record against Duke now stands at 37-17-1. In season openers, Clemson’s all-time record is now 95-25-8, and they have won 12 out of the last 15 season debuts.