The Duke Blue Devils pulled off a thrilling 46-45 win against Clemson at Memorial Stadium. The game had its share of excitement, especially in the final moments. It was a rollercoaster finish that raised eyebrows over a controversial call by the referees.
With just 49 seconds to go, Duke found themselves in a tough spot, facing fourth-and-10 at the Clemson 18-yard line. Quarterback Darian Mensah aimed for wide receiver Que’Sean Brown, but the pass fell incomplete. That’s when a flag was thrown.
ACC Network announcer Steve Addazio initially suspected it was a call against Duke for offensive pass interference. However, much to his and play-by-play commentator Wes Durham’s disbelief, the call was made for defensive pass interference against Clemson’s Avieon Terrell. This decision granted Duke a new set of downs at the three-yard line.
This pass interference call cost Clemson the game. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/gw3qvo3yxF
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 1, 2025
Addazio couldn’t help but express his shock, repeatedly saying, “Wow!” as the replays rolled. Even Durham questioned the official’s thinking, speculating if the late flag was perhaps a reaction to the earlier play.
Eventually, Duke capitalized on this call. Nate Sheppard scored on a three-yard run, followed by a successful two-point conversion thrown by Mensah to Sahmir Hagans, clinching the game for Duke.
This debate over the officiating highlights a broader concern in sports today—how crucial referee decisions can be in games that are tightly contested and high-stakes. According to a recent survey by the National Football League (NFL), 60% of fans believe that officiating has become a significant factor in game outcomes, causing frustration among teams and supporters alike. The impact of such calls can linger in the minds of players, coaches, and fans, often overshadowing the skill and effort on the field.
It’s important to remember that while officiating plays a role, teams still have a lot to learn from games like these. Defense is crucial, and allowing 46 points at home is far from ideal. As Duke celebrates this victory, they also need to focus on improving their defensive strategies moving forward.
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ACC,ACC Network,Clemson Tigers,Dabo Swinney,Duke Blue Devils,steve addazio,Wes Durham
