The big play is making a strong comeback for No. 17 Clemson.
The Tigers (2-1, 1-0 ACC) and often-criticized quarterback Cade Klubnik have made an exciting statement about their prospects in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“Explosive. Explosive and consistent,” coach Dabo Swinney said this week. “They’re just taking what’s there. Our quarterback’s blossoming right before our eyes.”
Klubnik has scored 11 touchdowns—eight passing and three rushing—with six of those touchdowns going for 29 yards or more. He ranks ninth in the nation for completion percentage (73.4) and 12th in passing efficiency. Klubnik is the top player in the country for efficiency on third down.
Many fans and analysts had lost faith in him after last year’s difficult performances, which left the Tigers at 4-4 and out of the championship race before November.
The season started poorly when Clemson lost 34-3 to the then-top-ranked Georgia in the opener. Klubnik and the offense struggled to take advantage of early opportunities before collapsing in the second half.
Now, a confident and dynamic Klubnik has Clemson on an impressive run early this season. The team has scored 59 or more points in consecutive games for only the third time in its history.
Klubnik began a 66-20 win over Appalachian State with a perfectly thrown 76-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. The following week, he ran for a 55-yard touchdown, the longest by a Clemson quarterback in five years, to kick off a 59-35 win against N.C. State.
These long plays provide a big energy boost for the Tigers and Klubnik.
“I think we’ve got every tool in the toolbox to keep doing it,” he said.
