Dabo Swinney erupts on sideline as Clemson loses again
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Saturday’s game at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium proved to be a dramatic affair filled with momentum swings.
Duke looked unstoppable as they gained 199 yards in the first quarter to take a 21-7 lead. However, Clemson scored three consecutive touchdowns to take a 28-21 lead. The Tigers regained control six minutes into Duke’s final drive.
The 46-45 loss to the Blue Devils was another low point in a disappointing season for Clemson. The Tigers lost four games at home for the first time since 1998.
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Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney speaks with an official during the NCAA football game against the Duke Blue Devils at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
With seconds remaining in the first half, cameras captured Swinney angrily yelling at players along Clemson’s sideline.
After the game, Swinney reflected on some of the devastating defeats he was a part of during his long coaching tenure at Clemson. He later joked about the possibility of being fired following the heartbreaking loss to Duke.
“No,” Swinney said when asked if this was his most exasperating season since becoming Clemson’s head coach. “In 2010, I’d probably put this one and 10 there…those two. I mean 10, brutal. We lost five games by six points or less, two in overtime.”
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney communicates with the referee during the game against Louisiana State University at Memorial Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
“[I] “He could be fired today,” Swinney said, recalling feeling uncertain about his job situation after a disappointing loss to South Carolina more than a decade ago. “Graham (Neff, Clemson’s athletic director) is sitting back today, so I don’t know. Can’t say I blame him.”
CLEMSON FOOTBALL STAR BRYANT WESCO JR. HAD BREAKED OUT WITH A BACK INJURY AT THE END OF THE SEASON
Swinney later downplayed concerns about his job, saying: FOX Carolina He remains focused on winning.
“We need to win some games. I’m just worried about trying to beat Florida State,” Swinney said.
Duke running back Nate Sheppard kicked a 3-yard field goal with 40 seconds left and the Blue Devils took a two-point pass from Darian Mensah and a pass to Shamir Hagans to win at Clemson for the first time since 1980.
“Going into extra innings in Death Valley is really not a good plan,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “Winning in regulation where you haven’t won in 45 years? That’s a big step for our program.”
Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz high-fives during the NCAA football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Clemson, South Carolina. (Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Duke trailed 45-38 and began the game-winning drive at the 6-yard line. Mensah led an 11-play drive in which Sheppard converted two fourth downs to set up the scoring streak.
Keeping the offense on the field, Duke’s Diaz showed no hesitation and Mensah quickly found Hagans for the decisive points.
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Clemson will host Florida State next week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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