Duke upsets Virginia in overtime to claim ACC title, possibly shaking up CFP picture

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Duke sent the College Football Playoff picture into uncertainty with a stunning overtime win on Saturday.

The Blue Devils won their first outright ACC championship since 1962 with a 27-20 victory over Virginia.

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah connected with tight end Jeremiah Hasley for a 1-yard touchdown on a fourth-down play in overtime, in what would be the deciding score.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Duke upsets Virginia in overtime to claim ACC title, possibly shaking up CFP picture at george magazine

Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) looks to pass during over time against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)

Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris was intercepted by Duke’s Luke Mergott on the Cavaliers’ first offensive play of overtime.

Duke last won a share of the ACC regular-season title in 1989, sharing it with Virginia in Steve Spurrier’s final season as the Blue Devils’ coach. The conference championship game was created in 2005, and Duke got there this year thanks to a five-team tiebreaker.

NOTRE DAME’S MARCUS FREEMAN MAKES CASE FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Duke’s Dan Mahan (12) celebrates defeating the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)

Virginia, the ACC regular-season champion, would have reached the CFP for the first time in school history with a victory. While Duke is still unlikely to make the playoff field, the win opens the door for a second Group of Five team — likely James Madison — to sneak in.

JMU alums Ben Overby and James Turner were even at the game to support Duke.

“Nothing against UVA,” Turner said excitedly, “but we’re just here to support Duke.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Duke Blue Devils defensive end Wesley Williams (97) celebrates with safety DaShawn Stone (8) after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips argued this week that his league deserved two bids: one for No. 12 Miami as the league’s highest-ranked team, the other for the Duke-Virginia winner as the league’s champion.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.

Continue reading your articles with a George Magazine Subscription.

$22.00 Subscribe to One (Charged Each Month) SUBSCRIBE for TWO and get 25% OFF 2nd Copy
($22.00^1st + $16.50^2nd = $38.50 charged each month)

Subscribe now to George Magazine Here - Only $22.00/month

$157.50 Subscribe to One (Charged Each Month) SUBSCRIBE for TWO and get 25% OFF 2nd Copy
($157.50^1st + $118.13^2nd = $275.63 charged each month)

Subscribe now to George Magazine Collector's Edition Here - $157.50/month

$9.95 for Digital Version SUBSCRIBE for TWO and get 25% OFF 2nd Copy

Subscribe now to George Magazine, Digital Version Here -
Only $9.95/month

Subscribe to Access Your Free Guide & Images

Subscribe to George Magazine and unlock exclusive bonuses. Your subscription now includes a free crypto essentials guide and three premium downloadable images. These images are perfect for personal use as desktop or mobile backgrounds, with thumbnail previews shown below.