CLEMSON – The final regular season game for the Clemson Tigers always holds more weight, and quarterback Cade Klubnik is well aware of this importance.

Last season, Klubnik was on the sideline as Clemson fell on Senior Day to South Carolina. He was helpless to change the result, but that’s not the case in 2023.

Klubnik already helped secure a strong Senior Day sendoff this season, but returning the favor to the Gamecocks is just as crucial.

“For a team to lose like that, it’s obviously hard. But more than anything, it’s hard on our seniors. I felt worse for them more than anybody for them to kind of have to leave like that so that was one thing that I really focused on this past week,” Klubnik said.

Looking at South Carolina, Klubnik built a connection with quarterback Spencer Rattler back in high school at the Elite 11 camp. He spoke highly of the Gamecocks leader, even if the two haven’t spoke much since,

“When I went to Elite 11 in high school, he was one of the counselors and we built a good relationship there. Great guy and we hit it off really well. We haven’t talked a lot since I’ve gotten to college…heck of a player. Always enjoyed watching him play throughout his career,” Klubnik said.

The Tigers are 1-3 on the road this season with three conference losses in that frame. Add to that what will likely be the rowdiest crowd Clemson has seen in 2023.

It’s a rivalry game in Williams Brice Stadium. It’s Senior Night for South Carolina and the Gamecocks for playing for bowl eligibility. A lot is at stake and Klubnik is chomping at the bit to play this game.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere and they’ve got great fans. Excited to get down there and we love playing on the road so it’s going to be a fun game for sure. A lot of energy and it’s going to be super cool,” Klubnik said.

The Tigers can return the favor in Columbia Saturday by taking down the Gamecocks and ending their season. This iteration of the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry kicks off at 7 p.m., televised on the SEC Network.

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