CLEMSON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of fortune and a dramatic finish, the Duke Blue Devils outlasted the Clemson Tigers 46-45 in a wild, high-scoring affair at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The game, which defied all pregame projections, was decided on a successful two-point conversion by Duke with 40 seconds remaining, capping a frantic fourth-quarter comeback and handing Clemson its fourth loss in five games.

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah was the catalyst for the victory, delivering a masterful performance under pressure. The junior from San Luis Obispo, California, completed 27 of 41 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns, orchestrating an offense that seemed unstoppable early and clutch late.

The contest began as a potential blowout in Duke’s favor. The Blue Devils exploded for 21 points in the first quarter, striking quickly and efficiently. Mensah connected with Que’Sean Brown for a 19-yard touchdown on Duke’s opening drive. After Clemson answered with a 5-yard scoring run from Antonio Williams, Mensah found Cooper Barkate on a short pass that turned into a spectacular 77-yard touchdown. Mensah then capped the first-quarter onslaught with a 20-yard scoring strike to Andrel Anthony.

Trailing 21-7, Clemson seized control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring Duke 21-7 to tie the game at 28 heading into halftime. The Tigers’ offense, led by quarterback Cade Klubnik, found its rhythm. Klubnik, who finished 27-of-36 for 385 yards and two touchdowns, hit Williams for a 4-yard score. Running back Adam Randall then powered in for a pair of 2-yard touchdown runs, the latter coming with just over a minute left in the half.

Duke, however, had a final answer before the break. Mensah launched a 43-yard Hail Mary to Brown as time expired in the second quarter, sending the teams to the locker rooms in a deadlock.

The third quarter was a defensive struggle by the game’s standards, with Clemson managing to take its first lead. The Tigers capitalized on a blocked punt, with defensive tackle Peter Woods plunging in from 1 yard out for a touchdown. After a Nolan Hauser 22-yard field goal extended Clemson’s lead to 38-28, Duke’s Sahmir Hagans provided an immediate spark, returning the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to keep the Blue Devils within a field goal.

The back-and-forth battle continued into the fourth quarter. Duke trimmed the lead to 38-31 with a 37-yard field goal from Todd Pelino. Clemson responded instantly, as Klubnik found T.J. Moore for a 75-yard touchdown bomb to push the advantage back to 14 points.

With time winding down, Duke mounted its game-winning drive. Mensah methodically moved the Blue Devils down the field, converting critical third downs. The drive culminated in a 3-yard touchdown run by Nate Sheppard with 40 seconds left, pulling Duke to within one point. Rather than kicking the extra point to tie, Duke coach Mike Elko elected to go for the win. Mensah’s pass for the two-point conversion was complete to Hagans, putting the Blue Devils ahead 46-45.

Clemson’s final, desperate attempt at a comeback ended in a series of laterals and a fumble that was recovered by Duke as time expired.

The loss overshadowed spectacular individual efforts for Clemson. Klubnik’s 385 yards through the air were complemented by a massive day from receiver Antonio Williams, who caught 10 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown while adding 22 yards on the ground. Linebacker Sammy Brown led a beleaguered Tigers defense with 10 tackles.

For Duke, Barkate was Mensah’s primary deep threat, hauling in six receptions for 127 yards and a score, while Brown caught six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Luke Mergott anchored the defense with 12 total tackles.

The victory improves Duke’s record to 5-3, keeping its bowl hopes firmly alive in a season that has seen impressive road wins. The loss is a devastating blow for Clemson, which falls to 3-5 and faces an uphill battle to become bowl-eligible. The Tigers, who were projected by Interstat’s ELO system to have a 71.5 percent chance of winning and were 3.5-point favorites, will look to regroup next week when they host Florida State. Duke travels to Connecticut for its next contest.