CLEMSON, S.C. —

Duke coach Manny Diaz did not want to chance overtime at Clemson's Death Valley. His team made sure he wouldn't have to.

Nate Sheppard had a 3-yard touchdown run with 40 seconds left and Duke followed with a two-point conversion from Darian Mensah to Shamir Hagans to win at Clemson for the first time since 1980 with a 46-45 victory Saturday.

“Going extra innings at Death Valley isn't really a good plan,” Diaz said.

Winning in regulation somewhere you hadn't in 45 years? “This is a major step for our program,” Diaz said.

The Blue Devils (5-3, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) trailed 45-38 and started the game-winning drive on their 6-yard line. Mensah led an 11-play drive in which he converted two fourth downs to set up Sheppard's TD run.

There was no hesitation from Duk

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