Clemson's defensive PI on crucial Duke play explained

Billy Heyen

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Why Clemson was called for defensive pass interference on pivotal play vs. Duke image

TL;DR

  • * A defensive pass interference call on fourth down allowed Duke to score a touchdown.
  • * The penalty flag negated what would have been an offensive pass interference call.
  • * Duke capitalized on the penalty, scoring and securing a 46-45 victory over Clemson.
  • * The controversial call is expected to be a significant talking point.

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah flung up a prayer.

And by a penalty flag, it was answered.

At first, the expectation on the field seemed to be for an offensive pass interference call. It was fourth down. That would've been declined by Clemson, and the game would've essentially been over.

Instead, the call was defensive pass interference.

Duke scored a touchdown on the next play, then converted a 2-point conversion, and its defense held for a 46-45 win.

The call will be a talking point for sure.

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Clemson's DPI explained

The Clemson defensive back and Duke receiver were tangled up basically the whole route.

There would've been a case early in the play for illegal contact or defensive holding.

Once the ball in the air, the issue appeared to be the positioning of the defensive back. He was still facing the receiver, who was trying to get through his chest to get to the ball.

There are no basketball charges to be drawn in football. A defender can't stand in the way of a receiver, essentially a face guard, while he tries to travel beyond the defender to get the ball.

There was a shove by the Duke receiver at the end, which made it look like OPI.

But it's likely the official was calling the slightly earlier moment before the shove, when the defender blocked the WR's path.

There's a case for offensive pass interference, too. There likely would've just been arguments from the other side.

There's no review of such a call, and so Duke had first and goal and cashed in and got the win.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle