If you do not see that Garrett Riley has played a huge part in Cade Klubnik’s progression, then you do not understand football.

It’s no secret Clemson’s sophomore quarterback is an emotional young man that plays with a ton of energy. His position coach and the Tigers’ offensive coordinator, however, is the exact opposite, which has probably been the best thing for Klubnik’s growth.

“Some of it is just my natural personality,” Riley said the last time he spoke with the media. “I am sure some of it is just my background with my high school coaches and how they were with me. I have just seen it work that way with quarterbacks in general and just my upbringing and background in the game.”

Riley does not get too high or too low during a game. He has calm demeanor that appears to be rubbing off on Klubnik.

“I have seen that approach and that is just who I am,” the young offensive coordinator said. “It’s not to say that I will not get fired up and get after you a little bit, but I just think that constant presence for our players, especially our quarterbacks is just something they can draw off of.”

It’s obvious, Klubnik has drawn off it.

Since Week 1, Clemson’s quarterback has gotten better with each game. His progression, though it seems fast, has come along slowly.

Against Duke in the season-opener, Klubnik seemed rushed and unsure of himself, especially on third down throws. However, it has become obvious the game has slowed down for Clemson’s talented quarterback.

Klubnik played well in leading Clemson to an easy victory over Florida Atlantic in Week 3. He was even better in the Tigers’ overtime loss to No. 5 Florida State.

“I feel I am getting better with every game and just continue to be comfortable out there and I feel great,” Klubnik said. “I feel like I have peace out there and I am ready for every play.”

This past Saturday, against Syracuse, he took another step, especially on third down. Klubnik completed 5-of-10 passes for 85 yards on third down, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to Troy Stellato that got the Tigers on the scoreboard before the Orange in the first quarter.

He also scrambled to convert two more third downs.

“I kind of got to use my legs a lot more, not necessarily running down the field, but making plays with my legs,” Klubnik said.

On the touchdown pass to Stellato, the Tigers were faced with a third-down-and-seven from the Syracuse 14. Recognizing the play they called was not going to work, Klubnik did not panic. Instead, he remembered what they practiced.

“We were trying to hit Jake [Briningstool] on a little flat route and they went zone,” he said. “We were expecting man. They did a great job on defense. I kind of reset and tried to hit the single and then they had a corner cat, which is like a corner blitz and cover the safety over the top.

“So, I had to kind of avoid him. Troy made a great play and kept playing. He threw his hand up and I found him in the end zone. It was a great play by him just kind of making it work.”

It was a great play by Klubnik, doing what he was supposed to do and not panicking. It was something we did not see at the beginning of the season.

“You can coach it. It is just one of those deals from being in the flow of the game and being in that moment,” Riley said. “He is going to have to draw on that experience and I think that is the biggest thing. You watch all his stuff and the things he did in high school.

“Some of those things you can’t do at this level, you can’t get away with it. So, those are just things from his experience now that he is going to draw from and learn from in just a short of amount of time. It is very indicative of a guy that has not played a whole lot at this level.”

And Klubnik is only going to get better with more experience and from Riley’s coaching.

“It is awesome to see your young quarterback do that and have confidence to do that and be able to execute it,” Riley said.