Darian Mensah’s first time playing in Death Valley was quite the experience.

The venue, known for making it so hard on opposing quarterbacks, was anything but on that day, as Mensah came in and lit up the Tigers’ secondary like it was the Fourth of July. The signal-caller threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns, leading Duke to a 46-45 win over Clemson, marking the Blue Devils’ first win in Memorial Stadium since 1980.

Now, after having transferred to Miami, Mensah will visit Clemson for a second straight season. The Hurricanes travel to Death Valley on October 3 for what might very well be a crucial ACC matchup.

“I am excited. That place is electric,” Mensah said from the ACC Kickoff on Wednesday. “I am excited to go over there and see Dabo again. I think they will have a good squad this year and that it will be a good matchup.”

Some see Mensah transferring in from Duke as the final piece the Hurricanes need to win it all in 2026. Miami came up one game short last season, falling to Indiana in the national title game.

The redshirt junior will likely be the choice of ACC Preseason Player of the Year during the ACC Kickoff this week in Charlotte. In his lone season at Duke, Mensah helped lead the Blue Devils to their first ACC Championship since 1962 last season after throwing for just under 4,000 yards, with 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Prior to his season at Duke, Mensah spent some time at Tulane. During his redshirt freshman season in 2024, the Green Wave played against Oklahoma in Norman. The Sooners came away with a 34-19 win, with Owen Field leaving an impression on Mensah.

To this day, it is still his favorite road venue, with Clemson coming in a spot below.

“I think (Clemson) is two on my list,” Mensah said. “I went to Oklahoma my redshirt freshman year. I think it is the second biggest place I have played at. I love that place. It is awesome.”