One possibility, but definitely a longshot.
Is it possible that a casting error at the front of the transmission or the back of the engine caused the clutch to be mis-aligned by just millimeters, and instead of the entire face of the disc mating with the entire face of the pressure plate, just a portion of both actually come in contact during the slip phase of the clutch engagement?
Even the slightest mis-match between the two might not manifest itself with bad clutch behavior, but could cause it to fry very quickly.
I would think a fried clutch at 17 miles could only be done with repeated higher-gear launches or very hard acceleration with the clutch semi-engaged... but it could be done...on purpose.