Live Game Thread: Duke vs Virginia (ACC Championship)

The surrounding noise of how Duke can create a nightmare scenario for the College Football Playoff is undeniable. But for 60 minutes on Saturday night, Manny Diaz has to find a way to get his team to turn its focus to the game on the field.

The Blue Devils will battle Virginia in Charlotte for the right to become the ACC champion and potentially secure a bid to the elusive 12-team bracket as a conference champion.

ACC Championship Preview

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarter back Darian Mensah (10) drops back for a pass against Virginia Cavaliers defensive lineman Jacob Holmes (23) during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Last time these teams met, the Blue Devils were embarrassed on their home field, falling to the Cavaliers, 34-17. Duke was pushed around in the trenches as Virginia running back J'Mari Taylor ran wild, racking up 133 yards and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Chandler Morris dominated as well, throwing for 316 yards and two more scores, as the Cavaliers built a 31-3 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back J'Mari Taylor (3) runs the ball past the Duke Blue Devils defense for a touchdown during the third quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Duke's typically explosive offense was no match for the Virginia defense, particularly because of a fierce pass rush and a lack of running game. Darian Mensah was limited to just 213 yards and one touchdown while being sacked four times and losing a fumble.

The Blue Devils were also limited to just 42 rushing yards and never really attempted to get that part of the game going.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) runs downfield during the first half against The North Carolina Tarat Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

Duke's season appeared to be lost following the defeat, but the Blue Devils bounced back for two straight wins and got some help around the ACC to bust into the conference championship game. It seemed improbable, and so do Duke's CFP chances, but it's also not totally out of the question.

Duke will have to play better along the line of scrimmage in this game to have a shot at winning, both offensively and defensively. Nate Sheppard and Anderson Castle need to be part of the game plan this time around. The Blue Devils only held the ball for 24 minutes in the first matchup because they didn't have a run game. They were also limited to a season-low 11 first downs.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Anderson Castle (4) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Brian Parker II (53) during the second half against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

Duke is playing with house money here. Either the Blue Devils bring home a conference championship and state their case for the playoff, or they fall and the ACC gets a playoff bid while Duke goes bowling later this month.

Anything can happen on championship weekend, especially this season with a matchup of two teams that have never won this game before.

Live updates from the game can be found below. To read more about what to watch for Duke in this game, click here.

Live Updates

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; A general view of the signage at Bank of America Stadium before the 2025 ACC Championship game between the Duke Blue Devils and Virginia Cavaliers. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Pregame

The final availability report lists Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson and linebacker Bradley Gompers as out. However, cornerback Landan Callahan, linebacker Tre Freeman and wide receiver Andrel Anthony are all not listed. They are expected to suit up and play for the Blue Devils.

On the Virginia side, both left tackle McKale Boley and receiver Cam Ross are game-time decisions.

Virginia won the toss and deferred to the second half. The Blue Devils will get the ball first.

First Quarter

Nov 29, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

UPDATE: Duke starts with the run game and has taken nearly six minutes off the clock on the opening drive. A Virginia penalty on fourth down made Duke decide to go for it, and Mensah hits Landen King for a big gain. Blue Devils are knocking on the door of the red zone.

TOUCHDOWN: Mensah finds Jeremiah Hasley on a tight end screen pass on third down for a 12-yard touchdown to give Duke an early lead. The Blue Devils scored on a 15-play drive that took 9:38 off the clock to jump ahead 7-0.

WHAT. A. START. pic.twitter.com/ffbArA515x
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 7, 2025

MISSED FIELD GOAL: Virginia goes opposite of Duke, using tempo to get down the field, but a big sack by Wesley Williams and Vincent Anthony Jr. forces a 45-yard field goal, which Virginia kicker Will Bettridge pushes wide left.

INTERCEPTION: Mensah gives the ball right back as he tosses an interception to Virginia's Corey Costner on a very bad throw. Never looked for the defender. Virginia gets the ball back in prime scoring position near the red zone.

End of Q1: Duke 7, Virginia 0

Second Quarter

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils tight end Jeremiah Hasley (85) celebrates a touchdown in the first quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

TOUCHDOWN: Chandler Morris connects with J'Mari Taylor in the flat, and Taylor makes a defender miss to cross the goal line for the 11-yard score to tie the game, 7-7.

FAKE PUNT: For the third week in a row, Manny Diaz dials up a fake on special teams, and it works. Kevin O'Connor fields the direct snap and darts forward to convert and extend the drive for the Blue Devils in their own territory.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) makes a catch in the first quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

TOUCHDOWN: Duke converted another fourth down and a third-and-14, before Nate Sheppard kept grinding his feet to power forward for a 16-yard touchdown to retake the lead, 14-7.

This kid is ridiculous... pic.twitter.com/osXjQP1NHx
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 7, 2025

PUNT: Virginia sends the first punt of the night into the end zone for a touchback. Duke will get a chance to score again before halftime.

THREE-AND-OUT: Duke has to punt it away and Virginia uses its timeouts to get the ball back with enough time to make a drive. Cavaliers take the ball at their own 30-yard line with 1:43 until the half.

PUNT: Virginia picks up one first down but has to boot it away again for another touchback. The Blue Devils get the ball with less than a minute remaining and two timeouts.

Halftime: Duke 14, Virginia 7

Third Quarter

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr. (7) reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

FIELD GOAL: Virginia finally possesses the ball for a while and takes up more than half of the quarter on the opening drive of the half, but Duke brings a timely blitz to force the Cavaliers to settle for a 24-yard field goal, keeping a 14-10 lead.

FIELD GOAL: Mensah connects on a big pass play with receiver Cooper Barkate for a 38-yard gain to get into the red zone. The drive stalls there, and a penalty forces Diaz to settle for a 29-yard field goal from Todd Pelino to push the lead back to a touchdown, 17-10.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Harrison Waylee (21) runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

UPDATE: Virginia is on the move again with a sustained drive on the ground. The Cavaliers will have the ball from the Duke 28-yard line to start the fourth quarter.

End of Q3: Duke 17, Virginia 10

Fourth Quarter

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Morris takes a shot to the end zone on fourth down, but DaShawn Stone and Landan Callahan were there in coverage to knock it away and get a crucial stop for the Blue Devils.

PUNT: Duke works some clock, and punter Kade Reynoldson pins the Cavaliers on their own 1-yard line. Virginia will need to go 99 yards to tie the game with less than nine minutes to go.

WHAT A PICK!!! pic.twitter.com/7TQCtMyMU4
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 7, 2025

INTERCEPTION: Morris takes a shot deep on third down from his own end zone, but no one is there but Duke safety Caleb Weaver, who makes the pick at the Virginia 33-yard line. Another big play from the Duke defense.

FIELD GOAL: Mensah connects with Barkate on a beautiful throw for 30 yards, but the drive stalls in the red zone. Pelino nails a 23-yard field goal to give the Blue Devils a two-score edge, leading 20-10.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) looks on in the third quarter against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

FIELD GOAL: Morris gets the Cavaliers down the field quickly with some big chunks through the air, but they settle for a 42-yard field goal to make it a one-score game again, 20-13. Blue Devils need to hang on for another 3:54 to win their first ACC title.

MENSAH 🤯

Incredible effort to keep the play alive and pick up the first down!

📺 ABC x @DukeFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/RhBhtdN94x
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) December 7, 2025

TWO-MINUTE TIMEOUT: On third down, Mensah escaped a pair of Virginia pass rushers, rolled right, and threw a laser to Barkate for 15 yards to move the sticks and get to the two-minute timeout. Virginia has two timeouts, but one more first down might end the game.

PUNT: Sheppard makes a mistake by running out of bounds on third down. Reynoldson punts for Duke and puts Virginia on its own 4-yard line, but the Cavaliers have two timeouts and 1:44 to go, needing a touchdown.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Jahmal Edrine (7) is brought down by Duke Blue Devils cornerback Landan Callahan (21) in the second quarter during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

UPDATE: A pair of penalties in the Duke secondary have helped Virginia get out to midfield with 56 seconds to go and one timeout for the Cavaliers.

TOUCHDOWN: Morris lofts one to Eli Wood for an 18-yard touchdown, and the extra point ties the game, 20-20, with just 22 seconds to go. After playing so well all night, the Blue Devils' defense has imploded. A 10-point lead evaporated, and the ACC Championship will go to overtime for the first time ever.

End of regulation: Duke 20, Virginia 20

Overtime

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) hands off the ball in the second quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Duke ball first.

TOUCHDOWN: On fourth down from the 1-yard line, Mensah rolls right and finds Hasley for a touchdown to take the lead in overtime, 27-20. On top of that, Virginia was assessed a roughing the passer penalty, which will start its drive from the 40-yard line as opposed to the 25-yard line.

Mensah magic 🪄

📺 ABC x @DukeFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/c5OKh2eNr9
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) December 7, 2025

INTERCEPTION: Virginia goes with a trick play on its first play, but Morris is intercepted by Duke linebacker Luke Mergott to end the game. The Duke Blue Devils have won the ACC.