JUMP TO:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
The question all week was: Do the 7-5 Duke Blue Devils deserve a spot in the ACC Championship, let alone the College Football Playoff? On Saturday night, head coach Manny Diaz let his team answer the critics.
After a dramatic 27-20 overtime victory against Virginia, Duke now has a compelling case for a Playoff berth. The win marked Duke's first-ever ACC title game victory and a major upset over the ranked Cavaliers, who were hoping to cap off their own Cinderella season.
Unlike their previous matchup on Nov. 16, when Virginia dominated the stat sheet, Duke controlled the clock this time. The Blue Devils set the tone immediately, producing the two longest scoring drives in ACC Championship history in the first half. Nate Shepphard capped the historic opening drive with a touchdown, and Duke never relinquished the lead.
Virginia, picked last in the ACC preseason poll, showed incredible resiliency, clawing back from a 10-point deficit in the final four minutes to tie the game on an Eli Woods touchdown with just 22 seconds left. But the comeback fell short in overtime. Duke scored on its opening possession, and the game ended with a Virginia interception, sealing the victory for the Blue Devils.
Diaz’s team improved to 8-5 and ended Virginia’s Playoff hopes. Whether this stunning upset will be enough to secure Duke a spot in the 12-team Playoff remains to be seen, but their performance ensures the politicking — as Diaz promised earlier in the week — will now begin.
AllSportsPeople followed all the action from an overtime thriller in Charlotte. Check out all the highlights below.
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Duke vs. Virginia football score
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Duke vs. Virginia live updates, highlights from 2025 ACC championship
Final: Duke 27, Virginia 20
11:58 p.m.: Duke has won the ACC Championship.
PICKED OFF!
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) December 7, 2025
DUKE WINS!! DUKE WINS!! Pic.twitter.com/lTjeVw3Nds
Morris throws an interception on the first play of overtime, with Luke Mergott coming down with the ball, and it's the Blue Devils who win their first conference championship since the 1960s.
YOUR 2025 ACC CHAMPIONS!!! Pic.twitter.com/u2Am5T87mI
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 7, 2025
Virginia's magical season comes to an end in heartbreaking fashion.
Duke 27, Virginia 20
11:54 p.m.: Castle is stuffed again on third down, setting up a 4th & 1.
Though, Mensah and Duke get in the endzone. The quarterback rolls out and hits a wide open Hasley in the end zone.
Mensah magic 🪄
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) December 7, 2025
📺 ABC x @DukeFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/c5OKh2eNr9
Duke draws first blood in overtime. But, it gets worse for Virginia, with a personal foul meaning it has to start on the 40.
11:53 p.m.: Duke is on the one yard line, facing a 3rd & 1.
Castle was stuffed on first down and Mensah could not find a receiver on second.
Can Duke punch it in?
11:49 p.m.: Duke wins the coin toss, and Mensah and the offense have the ball first to begin the extra frame.
End of the fourth quarter: Duke 20, Virginia 20
11:46 p.m.: We are going to overtime in the ACC Championship game.
Virginia, down 10 with less than five minutes to go, has clawed al the way back, and a berth to the College Football Playoff is still on the line.
Duke 20, Virginia 20
11:42 p.m.: Virginia keeps the game going on fourth down, and the play after tie the game.
Morris hits Eli Woods in the end zone, with the receiver making a diving catch, and with 22 seconds remaining, the score is 20-20.
KNOCK ON WOOD 👊
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) December 7, 2025
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/2etrBzWWvN
The Virginia Cavaliers, picked to finish dead last in the conference, aren't done yet.
11:38 p.m.: Waylee has Virginia inside the Duke 40 after a big 19-yard run.
With 47 seconds remaining, the Cavaliers have a real chance.
11:35 p.m.: The Cavaliers are at the 40 after two Duke defensive penalties. There is 1:05 remaining.
11:31 p.m.: Virginia is going to have a chance.
Duke cannot convert on 3rd & 8, only gaining one yard, and will punt again. The Blue Devils only have six points this half.
11:25 p.m.: Virginia was a 3rd & 6 away from getting thr ball back, but Mensah shows why he's special.
The quarterback rolls out and hits Barkate downfield for 15 yards. Duke has a new set of downs.
Duke 20, Virginia 13
11:20 p.m.: Bettridge hits a field goal to make the lead 20-13.
With 3:54 remaining, Duke is up seven.
11:18 p.m.: Following a pass interference penalty, Virginia has a new set of downs at the Duke 25.
11:17 p.m.: The Cavaliers are in Duke territory, after Morris hits Ross for 25 yards.
Virginia is running no huddle offense, looking to cut into the deficit.
11:16 p.m.: Virginia is up to the 35 after a connection from Morris to Harris.
With less than five minutes remaining, the Hoos need a score fast.
Duke 20, Virginia 10
11:08 p.m.: Duke might have gotten only three, but most importantly the lead is now two scores.
Pelino hits a field goal to extend the Duke lead to 10.
11:05 p.m.: Duke is not going slow.
In fact, Mensah goes deep on the first play, hitting Barkate on the left sideline for 35 yards. The Blue Devils are now on the Cavaliers 5.
11:01 p.m.: Morris throws an interception to Caleb Weaver, who was alone without a Virginia receiver anywhere around him.
WHAT A PICK!!! Pic.twitter.com/7TQCtMyMU4
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 7, 2025
Duke takes back over on the Virginia 33.
10:54 p.m.: Facing a critical 3rd & 6, the Virginia defense gets off the field.
Mensah can't find anyone downfield as the pass falls incomplete. The Blue Devils punt all the way down to the one yard line.
Virginia, facing a seven-point deficit, will need to go 99 yards to tie the game.
10:52 p.m.: Duke's strategy is clear: run the clock.
On 3rd & 1, the Blue Devils let the play clock go down to single digits before a three-yard run gives them a first down. Duke is now on its 48.
10:50 p.m.: Sheppard has had some big runs tonight, and he opens up the drive with one. He bulldozes up the middle for eight yards and a fresh set of downs.
10:48 p.m.: Inside the 30, Virginia comes up short on 4th & 5.
Morris tries finding a receiver deep in the end zone, but there are two Duke defenders there and the pass comes up incomplete.
The Blue Devils have the ball back, up 17-10.
End of the third quarter: Duke 17, Virginia 10
10:42 p.m.: At the end of three, Duke leads, but Virginia is knocking on the door.
The Hoos have a 3rd & 9 coming up.
10:40 p.m.: Waylee takes a carry for five yards and a first down.
Virginia is in Duke territory. Immediately after, Morris finds Edrine for 17 yards, and the Cavaliers are inside the 30.
10:38 p.m.: Taylor has his longest run of the day to open up the drive.
He goes for 16 yards and Virginia is up to its 41.
Duke 17, Virginia 10
10:32 p.m.: Up four, Duke decides to go for it on 4th & 2 from the Virginia 7.
The ball doesn't even get snapped, and it's a false start on Duke.
Todd Pelino comes on to hit a 30-yard field goal, and the lead is back up to seven.
10:25 p.m.: Duke has a big play on 2nd & 2, with Mensah hitting Cooper Barkgate for 40 yards up the right slot. A facemask penalty on Virginia adds additional yardage, and Duke is at the Virginia 15.
Duke 14, Virginia 10
10:18 p.m.: Virginia can't get the final third down conversion.
Morris is pressured on third down and the pass falls incomplete.
Though, Bettridge hits a 24-yard field goal, and the Duke lead is now four.
10:16 p.m.: Now on a 3rd & 4 from the Duke 10, Taylor takes a carry to the right and moves the chains again. Virginia now has 1st & goal.
10:14 p.m.: Virginia is taking a page out of Duke's book, taking time between plays and gaining first downs. The Cavaliers get another third down conversion.
10:11 p.m.: On 3rd & 1 from the Duke 49, Taylor takes a direct snap and bursts forward for a first down.
10:09 p.m.: After a negative first play, Morris makes a huge throw up the seam. He connects with Cam Ross for 29 yards, and Virginia is across its 40.
10:07 p.m.: The second half has kicked off here in Charlotte.
Morris and Virgnia, trailing by seven, has the ball at the 25.
9:58 p.m.: The first half was about the Duke offense.
The Blue Devils had nearly double the time of possession and nearly double the plays. It's a stark contrast than the first matchup a few weeks ago.
Virginia's only score came on the Mensah interception, which set the Cavaliers up in opponent territory.
Halftime: Duke 14, Virginia 7
9:44 p.m.: Duke doesn't do anything to end the half, and we have our fourth straight punt.
The clock hits zeroes as the punt gets downed, and Duke goes into the locker room with a 14-7 lead. Those two long scoring drives have been the difference, and besides the turnover that set up the Taylor score, the Virginia offense has been stifled.
Virginia will get the ball to start the second half.
9:39 p.m.: Virginia can't move the chains on third down, and for the second straight drive has to punt.
Morris tried hitting a receiver, but it's once again hit at the line.
Mensah and Duke have the ball back with 53 seconds remaining.
9:37 p.m.: Morris hits Jahmal Edrine for 16 yards to move the chains, and the Cavaliers are above the 40.
9:36 p.m.: Morris and Virginia start the drive on the 30, with 1:43 remaining.
9:35 p.m.: On 3rd & 7, Mensah gets pressured immediately. While he is able to hit Sheppard, it goes for only one yard.
Duke will punt for the first time tonight.
9:29 p.m.: At the two-minute timeout, Duke has a 2nd & 8 from its 22-yard line.
The Virginia offense gets the ball to start the second half, so for the Blue Devils, this can be a critical opportunity to extend the lead.
9:21 p.m.: Facing a 3rd & 12, Morris tried to hit a receiver deep downfield, but Kendall Johnson deflected the pass at the line.
Virginia has to punt, the first time for either team, and Duke takes over again on the 25.
9:17 p.m.: The Cavaliers pick up a first down on two plays. First, Morris takes a scramble eight yards then Waylee goes for two.
Duke 14, Virginia 7
9:14 p.m.: The Blue Devils take the lead back.
Sheppard takes a carry into the pile, but bounces out of it for a 16-yard touchdown, walking into the end zone.
This kid is ridiculous... Pic.twitter.com/osXjQP1NHx
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 7, 2025
It's the second-longest scoring drive (by time) in title game history, right after the Blue Devils' opening drive. Duke leads 14-7.
9:10 p.m.: After a Mensah fumble in the backfield, Duke faced a 3rd & 15 from its own 47. Though, the quarterback has the best throw of the game.
No. 10 steps back in the pocket and lobs one up to Hagans down the left sideline, and the receiver stays in while bringing in the ball. It's a 35-yard gain.
Duke is now inside the red zone.
9:07 p.m.: Duke moves the chains on fourth down, with Castle taking it three yards across midfield.
9:04 p.m.: A new note from the press box: Duke's touchdown drive was the longest by time in ACC Championship history.
Now, the Blue Devils offense faces a 4th & inches from its own 48.
9:02 p.m.: Mensah and the Duke offense can't move the ball.
On 3rd & 2, Castle takes a carry up the middle but gets immediately stifled by the Virginia defensive line.
Though, Manny Diaz pulls one out of a hat, running a fake punt. The Blue Devils have a first down.
Duke 7, Virginia 7
8:58 p.m.: The Cavaliers strike back, and it's their best offensive player: J'Mari Taylor.
On first down, Morris hits his star running back in the flat, and Taylor makes a defender miss en route to the end zone.
A fitting start to J'Mari's return to Queen City 👑
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) December 7, 2025
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/80e6bTMz4z
Virginia makes it 7-7 on the No. 3's first receiving touchdown of the season.
8:57 p.m.: Virginia has a new set of downs just outside of the 10.
An offsides penalty on Duke moves the chains.
End of the first quarter: Duke 7, Virginia 0
8:52 p.m.: At the end of one, it's Duke who leads 7-0. But, Virginia is back in the red zone after the Mensah interception.
Morris and the Cavalier offense is looking to respond.
8:49 p.m.: Duke's first play of the second drive goes backwards, with the Virginia defense swarming a screen pass for a four-yard loss.
Then, the game flips. Mensah throws his first interception in ACC play, getting picked off by Corey Costner.
𝘾𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙡𝙮 turnover caused by yours truly, @corey_c11‼️
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) December 7, 2025
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/4W8TJTz3NX
Just like that, the Hoos are in business after the forced turnover.
8:44 p.m.: Morris gets swarmed in the pocket on 3rd & 6, and he goes down. It was Wesley Williams and Aaron Hall who got to him for the first sack of the game.
It gets even worse for Virginia. Will Bettridge comes on for a 45-yard field goal, but it's not even close.
Duke has the ball back, up 7-0.
8:42 p.m.: On third down, Morris hits Harrison Waylee on a screen pass, and he takes it seven yards.
The Cavaliers have a new set of downs inside the 30.
8:39 p.m.: On the first play from scrimmage for Virginia, Morris hits Trell Harris for 23 yards. He found the receiver up the seam, and Virginia is already near midfield.
The next play, Duke forced a fumble and recovered, though a holding penalty negates it. The Cavaliers are now right outside the 40.
Duke 7, Virginia 0
8:33 p.m.: Duke caps off a 16-play, 75-yard opening drive with a touchdown.
Jeremiah Hasley hauls in a pass from Mensah — who went 9-for-10 on the first drive — and barrels to the end zone for a 12-yard score.
WHAT. A. START. Pic.twitter.com/ffbArA515x
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 7, 2025
Duke leads 7-0, and it's the Virginia offense's turn.
8:29 p.m.: Now on a 3rd & 7 from the 22, Duke once again moves the chains.
This time, Mensah connects with Nate Sheppard, and the Blue Devils keep on driving as we're halfway through the first quarter.
8:28 p.m.: Duke opts to go for it on 4th & 2 on the first drive, and Mensah hits Landen King downfield for 16 yards.
The Blue Devils are now inside the 30.
8:18 p.m.: On 3rd down, Mensah hands it off to Anderson Castle, who dives forward for a first down.
Duke is near midfield.
8:15 p.m.: We are underway in Charlotte.
Onto the field comes the ACC's leading passer, Darian Mensah, and the Duke offense.
8:13 p.m.: Virginia has won the coin toss and has elected to defer.
Mensah and the high-flying Duke offense will get the ball first.
8:12 p.m.: Note from the press box: at 39 degrees, it is the coldest weather at kickoff in ACC championship history.
8:12 p.m.: Out come the Duke Blue Devils.
Even with a 7-5 record, Manny Diaz's team can win the ACC tonight and make a playoff push.
8:09 p.m.: First on the field is the Virginia Cavaliers.
Tony Elliott's team, predicted to finish dead last in the ACC preseason poll, are a win away from the College Football Playoff.
8:04 p.m.: Teams are about to come onto the field at Bank of America Stadium, and the ACC Championship is moments away.
7:50 p.m.: ACC commissioner Jim Philips makes his final statement before the ACC championship, saying this game is as good as any.
ACC commish Jim Phillips, joining the ACC Huddle pregame show, says too much "shade" has been "thrown" on Duke and UVA in the title game.
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 7, 2025
"We have the best coaches in the country, we have the best student-athletes and talent in the country."
7:22 p.m.: If Duke wants a chance tonight, it's going to be because of Darian Mensah.
The quarterback leads the ACC in both passing yards and passing touchdowns in his first season with the Blue Devils.
Darian Mensah warming up for tonight’s contest. Pic.twitter.com/63wxVfFPue
— Jake Mozarsky (@jmozarsky) December 7, 2025
Tonight, he faces a Virginia defense that is second in the ACC in scoring, allowing 20 points per game.
7:15 p.m.: Kickoff is almost here in Charlotte.
Led 'em here. Ready to win here.
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) December 7, 2025
🏆 @UVAFootball pic.twitter.com/7DcDj3eG1h
Chandler Morris and the Cavaliers are looking to cap off the season with a conference championship and a playoff berth.
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Where to watch 2025 ACC championship game
Duke vs. Virginia start time
- Date: Dec. 6
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
The ACC Championship Game is played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. It will be the 15th time the ACC Championship Game has been played in Charlotte.
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What channel is Duke vs. Virginia on today?
- TV Channel: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN App, Fubo
The ACC championship will air on ABC on Saturday night. Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (color) will call the action, with Molly McGrath and Taylor McGregor on the sidelines.
Viewers looking to stream the game can on the ESPN App or Fubo, which offers new subscribers a free trial.
College football schedule for conference championship week
Friday, Dec. 5
| Conference | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Network |
| CUSA | Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State | 7:00 PM | CBSSN |
| Sun Belt | Troy at James Madison | 7:00 PM | ESPN |
| American | North Texas at Tulane | 8:00 PM | ABC |
| Mountain West | UNLV at Boise State | 8:00 PM | FOX |
Saturday, Dec. 6
| Conference | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Network |
| Big 12 | BYU vs. Texas Tech | 12:00 PM | ABC |
| MAC | Western Michigan vs. Miami (OH) | 12:00 PM | ESPN |
| SWAC | Prairie View A&M at Jackson State | 2:00 PM | ESPN2 |
| SEC | Georgia vs. Alabama | 4:00 PM | ABC |
| ACC | Virginia vs. Duke | 8:00 PM | ABC |
| Big Ten | Ohio State vs. Indiana | 8:00 PM | FOX |
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