ACC Shocker: Unranked Duke Stuns No. 17 Virginia in OT for First Outright Title Since 1962

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CHARLOTTE, NC — The Duke Blue Devils (8-5) completed one of the most improbable runs in conference history on Saturday night, defeating the No. 17 Virginia Cavaliers (10-3) 27-20 in overtime to claim the 2025 ACC Championship. The victory—Duke’s first-ever ACC Championship Game win—delivered the program its first outright conference football title since 1962 and immediately plunged the College Football Playoff picture into chaos.

Duke, which entered the game unranked after slipping into the title game via a chaotic five-team tiebreaker, controlled the trenches and the clock for most of the night, only to have to win the game twice in the final minutes.

The Overtime Walk-Off

The game reached its peak drama in the final five minutes of regulation and the ensuing overtime period:

Virginia’s Clutch Drive: Duke held a seemingly comfortable 20-10 lead with just 5:02 remaining. However, the Cavaliers, looking to cap their Cinderella 10-win season with a playoff berth, stormed back. After a field goal cut the lead to seven, Virginia launched a spectacular 10-play, 96-yard touchdown drive that was capped by an 18-yard strike to Eli Wood with just 22 seconds left to tie the game at 20-20.
Duke’s Fourth-Down Gamble: After Virginia won the coin toss in overtime, the Blue Devils took the ball first. They methodically moved to the 1-yard line before facing 4th-and-goal. Quarterback Darian Mensah rolled out to his right and, while running for his life, found tight end Jeremiah Hasley wide open in the end zone for the go-ahead 1-yard touchdown.
The Final Nail: On Virginia’s first offensive play of overtime, quarterback Chandler Morris fired downfield under pressure and was intercepted by Duke defensive back Luke Mergott, sealing the dramatic 27-20 victory and triggering a raucous celebration.

Coach Diaz’s Masterful Game Plan

Duke coach Manny Diaz masterminded a superb game plan that focused on controlling the line of scrimmage, something the Blue Devils failed to do in their regular-season loss to Virginia.

Time of Possession: Duke put together the two longest scoring drives in ACC Championship Game history in the first half: a 15-play, 9:38 march and a 13-play, 8:02 drive, immediately establishing physical control of the game.
Trickeration: Diaz was aggressive with his decision-making, converting four total fourth downs, including a crucial fake punt in the second quarter that kept a touchdown drive alive.
Key Performances: Transfer QB Darian Mensah was highly efficient, completing 19 of 25 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns (both to Hasley). Running back Nate Sheppard added 97 crucial rushing yards.

CFP Chaos: The ACC’s “Doomsday Scenario”

The most shocking element of the upset is the immediate fallout for the College Football Playoff. Unranked Duke (8-5) is not expected to be ranked high enough to secure the ACC an automatic bid into the 12-team field, despite being the conference champion.

Virginia’s Crushed Dream: The 10-win Cavaliers, who were seeking their first-ever CFP berth, saw their hopes dashed by the overtime loss.
The JMU Problem: Duke’s five losses make it highly unlikely they will surpass the champion of the Sun Belt, No. 25 James Madison (12-1), in the final CFP rankings. If James Madison is ranked higher than Duke, the ACC champion will fall outside the top five conference champions and will be denied the automatic bid.

Duke coach Manny Diaz was vocal in his team’s defense immediately after the game: “The ACC champion should go to the College Football Playoff this year and every year. We are the ACC champions.”

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee faces a monumental task now, with the final rankings due to be released tomorrow, Sunday, December 7.