Duke does what it’s ‘capable of,’ upsets Clemson

DURHAM, N.C.– First, Mike Elko restored Duke’s competitive edge.Then its confidence.And now, a game into his 2nd season, the coach has led heaven Devils to their most significant win in years: a stunning upset of ninth-ranked and preseason Atlantic Coast Conference preferred Clemson.Riley Leonard broke out from a tackler and sprinted to the open for a 44-yard goal that highlighted Duke’s hard and physical performance to beat the Tigers 28-7 in Monday night’s season opener for both teams.Jaquez Moore included a 9-yard scoring run by beating numerous protectors to the near pylon on the ideal

side in the 4th quarter for heaven Devils (1-0, 1-0 ACC ). That gave them an unexpected two-touchdown lead in a game they largely controlled in spite of numerous miscues, significantly a muffed punt that caused Clemson’s only score and a fumble on a drive nearing the red zone before halftime.”It’s important on the outside, because I believe it makes people believe a little bit more what we’ve been stating given that the day I got here,”Elko said.” What we’ve been stating internally is this is what Duke football is capable of. We’ve never ever wavered from that at all.” Editor’s Picks 2 Related By the end, Duke trainees understood for their rowdy “Cameron Crazies” shenanigans at men’s basketball games became part of a surge of fans running to midfield to commemorate as the last seconds ticked away. Elko got into a big smile and jogged towards midfield with both arms raised, pointing skyward.”I’m type of at a loss for words today,”Leonard said.On this night, Duke thrice held up after Clemson had actually pushed inside the 10-yard line– even to the 1 on 2 of those ownerships– to hold the Tigers scoreless. The Blue Devils obstructed two field goals and twice recuperated fumbles in crucial near-the-goal-line moments, and they didn’t give up huge chunks of big-play yardage in Clemson’s very first game with new offending planner Garrett Riley. “We exercise in the summertime and train too,” Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter said. “We condition too.”On the other hand, the preseason ACC favorites frequently looked really normal as the Tigers (0-1, 0-1) was up to Duke for the very first time since 2004.”We’re not entitled to win,”Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.” We’ve got to go make it. And we had plenty of opportunity to get

control of that game on numerous celebrations, and we just didn’t. And that’s how you get beat. “By the last minutes, there was the unusual sight of Clemson

attempting to keep the chains moving and construct toward any kind of miracle resurgence. There was likewise the sight of the challenger commemorating with the defiant swagger Clemson has displayed in many of these minutes on the way to seven of the previous 8

ACC titles.When Duke’s Dorian Mausi hauled in an interception with about five minutes left, numerous Duke defenders waved goodbye toward the Clemson sideline as orange-clad fans who loaded into Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium streamed for the exits.That offered Duke’s students and fans a monopoly to commemorate in an environment growing ever more joyful as the clock wound toward

zeroes.Jordan Waters added a stressing minute by breaking loose for a 36-yard scoring kept up 3:15 left to turn the game into a romp. It ended Duke’s 28-game losing streak to top-10 challengers, the last win coming, fittingly, versus then-No. 7 Clemson in 1989.

Cade Klubnik tossed for a brief goal to Will Shipley in the 2nd quarter for Clemson’s only score in a contest that repeatedly left Swinney shaking his head(after a second blocked kick )or cleaning his forehead(after a fourth-quarter fumble at the goal line )in aggravation on the sideline.