Although many Clemson fans were quick to condemn last season’s lackluster record, starting quarterback Cade Klubnik will be the first to point out that diamonds come from pressure. In fact, the junior signal caller believes the difficult nature of the previous season forced him and the rest of his squad into a period of necessary growth.
Speaking at the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday, Klubnik addressed concerns about team chemistry.
“Wherever you go through hard times with people, you grow together,” he said. “Our team went through a hard time last year, and we grew together really well.”
The last decade catapulted Clemson football to dynasty status thanks to six playoff appearances, seven conference championships and two national titles. Therefore, the general consensus of a 9-4 season — regardless if it’s capped by five straight victories, including a bowl win — branded the 2023-2024 campaign as frustratingly substandard.
Klubnik, now entering his second year at the helm, remains ever the optimist. He completed 63.9% of passes for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
“We were sitting 4-4 last year,” the junior recalled. “Glass half full, glass half empty. It was half full for us.”
Following their unprecedented 28-7 loss to Duke in last September’s season opener, the Tigers fell short to three additional ACC opponents — Florida State, Miami and NC State — for their first four-loss season since 2010.
Despite pulling off a solid winning record and a bowl victory, the playoff drought spans another year. However, the Tigers refuse to allow any outside noise to affect them — this year, the Tigers have bigger fish to fry in Week 1, as the Georgia Bulldogs headline their schedule.
Although Kirby Smart’s team has dominated college football in recent years, Klubnik views them as any other opponent.
“Can’t make (the Georgia game) any bigger than the second one,” he said.
Outside conversations about the strength of Georgia’s offense or Florida State’s addition of former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei may attempt to distract the Tigers, but to no avail. They’re not focused on any single game — rather, they choose to focus on the entire season.
“We play a lot of great teams this year,” Klubnik said. “We’re looking to have a great season; we’re not looking to have a great week one. A great week one won’t do anything if we lose the rest of them.”
Klubnik will lead the Tigers against Georgia at noon on Aug. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
