Duke quarterback Darian Mensah flung up a prayer.
And by a penalty flag, it was answered.
At first, the expectation on the field seemed to be for an offensive pass interference call. It was fourth down. That would’ve been declined by Clemson, and the game would’ve essentially been over.
Instead, the call was defensive pass interference.
Duke scored a touchdown on the next play, then converted a 2-point conversion, and its defense held for a 46-45 win.
The call will be a talking point for sure.
This pass interference call cost Clemson the game. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/gw3qvo3yxF
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 1, 2025
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Why was Clemson called for defensive pass interference?
The Clemson defensive back and Duke receiver were tangled up basically the whole route.
There would’ve been a case early in the play for illegal contact or defensive holding.
Once the ball in the air, the issue appeared to be the positioning of the defensive back. He was still facing the receiver, who was trying to get through his chest to get to the ball.
There are no basketball charges to be drawn in football. A defender can’t stand in the way of a receiver, essentially a face guard, while he tries to travel beyond the defender to get the ball.
There was a shove by the Duke receiver at the end, which made it look like OPI.
But it’s likely the official was calling the slightly earlier moment before the shove, when the defender blocked the WR’s path.
There’s a case for offensive pass interference, too. There likely would’ve just been arguments from the other side.
There’s no review of such a call, and so Duke had first and goal and cashed in and got the win.
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