How do you lose a game when you put up 538 yards of offense and score 45 points? This is how.
Clemson's offense was nearly perfect. Cade Klubnik was brilliant, the rushing attack was dominant, and they did not commit a single turnover. But it didn't matter.
This loss falls squarely on a defense that couldn't stop a nosebleed and a special teams unit that had a catastrophic, game-changing blunder. When the offense gave them a 45-38 lead, the defense allowed an 11-play, 94-yard game-winning drive, topped off by a 2-point conversion that sealed their fate.
Here are the final grades for Clemson's 3-4 team after a loss that will sting all season.
Clemson Tigers:
Offense: A
It's hard to find a single fault with this unit. Cade Klubnik was brilliant (26-for-35, 370 yds, 2 TDs) and his connection with Antonio Williams (10 rec, 149 yds, 1 TD) was unstoppable. The rushing attack was just as dominant, with Adam Randall (89 yds, 2 TDs) and Williams (22 yds, 1 TD) finding the end zone. They put up 538 yards and 45 points. They did their job and then some.
Defense: F
A complete and total failure. This is one of the worst defensive collapses you will ever see. They made Duke QB Darian Mensah (361 yds, 4 TDs) look like a Heisman candidate. They allowed Duke to go 5-FOR-5 ON FOURTH DOWN. And with the game on the line, they let the Blue Devils march 94 yards for the game-winning score. An absolutely inexcusable performance that wasted a masterpiece from their offense.
Special Teams: C
Nolan Hauser hit his 22-yard field goal, which is fine. But this unit is graded on the whole. Giving up a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown is a cardinal sin. In a one-point game, that's the difference. And it was.
Overall: C-
How do you lose when you score 45 points and don't turn the ball over? This is how. An 'A' effort from the offense was completely betrayed by a 'F' defense and a game-changing special teams blunder. This one is going to sting.