Duke Dominates Wake Forest, Advances to ACC Championship

Duke Blue Devils showcased a dominant performance against Wake Forest, securing a 49-32 victory in the ACC semifinals. Key to this win was quarterback Darian Mensah, who set a new single-season record for Duke with his 27th and 28th touchdown passes.

Mensah completed 24 of 35 attempts for 268 yards, including a notable 30-yard touchdown connection with Sahmir Hagans in the third quarter, which solidified his record. In addition to his passing success, Mensah also rushed for his first touchdown of the season, scrambling 4 yards to contribute to Duke's early lead.

The Blue Devils’ offense was further bolstered by Anderson Castle and Nate Sheppard, each scoring two rushing touchdowns. Duke led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter, with Sheppard finding the end zone on a 5-yard run and Mensah scoring on his rushing play.

Wake Forest struggled with four turnovers throughout the game, failing to force any on Duke, which significantly impacted their ability to compete. Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford threw for two touchdowns and amassed 342 yards, but his efforts were undermined by an interception.

The Demon Deacons managed to keep the game competitive, especially after Ashford cut the deficit to 35-25 with a 10-yard rushing touchdown and a subsequent two-point conversion. However, an 80-yard kickoff return by Hagans put Duke back in a favorable position, leading to another score by Sheppard just two plays later.

The Blue Devils capitalized on Wake Forest's defensive penalties, which totaled 58 yards in the first quarter alone. Duke's triumph not only secured their place in the ACC Championship game but also set the stage for a significant matchup against Virginia, after the Cavaliers defeated Virginia Tech 27-7 in their semifinal.

The championship game is scheduled for December 6, where Duke will aim to extend their strong performance from the semifinals against a formidable Virginia team that finished the regular season with a 10-2 record.