Duke Blue Devils Stun Virginia, Win ACC Championship: A Hard-Fought Victory and a Historic UpsetThe Duke Blue Devils, previously unranked, defied expectations by defeating sixteenth-ranked Virginia to win the ACC Championship, their first outright conference title since 1962. The game was a nail-biter, going into overtime after Virginia tied the score in the final minutes of regulation. Dukes freshman running back, Nate Sheppard, made an impact in the extra period, gaining twenty-three yards on three carries. The teams ability to overcome adversity throughout the season played a huge role in their championship win. Quarterback Darian Mensah noted that bringing a championship to a school known primarily for basketball was a significant statement. In overtime, after Duke scored, Virginia attempted to answer, but linebacker Luke Mergott intercepted a trick-play pass, sealing the victory for the Blue Devils. This win also broke Dukes ten-game losing streak against ranked opponents, a truly remarkable turnaround for the program. The Blue Devils now await their postseason fate, hoping to secure a spot in the twelve-team playoff, despite being an unranked conference champion.

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