A 2-2 start is not how Clemson envisioned its season unfolding.
Following an overtime loss to Florida State on Saturday, the Tigers now sit tied for last in the ACC as they are 0-2 against in-conference opponents.
But despite the team’s early season struggles that have made a return to the ACC championship questionable, quarterback Cade Klubnik remains optimistic.
“I think this might be the best thing that could ever happen for us and happen for me,” Klubnik said on Monday. “I think that we have a really freakin’ good football team. I really do.”
Through four games, Clemson has seven turnovers, including Klubnik’s fumble against Florida State last week that the Seminoles returned for a touchdown, ultimately changing the course of the game.
“It’s just kind of unfortunate we’re three plays away from being 4-0. You just really wish you could have one of those plays back,” Klubnik added.
Klubnik’s first season as the full-time starting signal-caller has placed him into a leadership role that many fellow players have turned to, and he is embracing the responsibilities.
“Everybody is looking for somebody to look up to,” he said. “At some point, you just got to be that guy that steps up and takes control.”
When talking about what he has learned from the losses, the former five-star recruit touched on the importance of the details on every snap, especially with a youthful roster.
“We have a very young team that is not content with where we are,” Klubnik said. “They know the expectation around here. Every year we walk into this thing, we’re looking to be at the top of the hill, and that’s the expectation around here.”
Looking ahead, Klubnik noted that nothing has changed with how players are approaching the remaining games.
“It’s a season of one,” he said. “We’re focused on this week and the game we’re playing this week, and that’s it. We’re flushing what’s happened. Not focusing on what’s next week, three weeks from now, five weeks from now, we’re focused on this week.”
“It goes back to what we say every week, you work all freakin’ year to be able to play a football game, and we get to play this week, so let’s be excited for that.”
