The second season for Cade Klubnik as Clemson’s starting quarterback got off to a rough start on Saturday. But although his stats and the outcome of the game against Georgia weren’t pretty, head coach Dabo Swinney believes “there were a lot of bright spots” with Klubnik against the Bulldogs.

The junior signal-caller went 18-of-29 passing for 142 yards and an interception in No. 14 Clemson’s 34-3 loss to the No. 1-ranked Georgia team on Saturday in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Swinney gave his assessment of Klubnik’s performance after the game, saying he thought Klubnik “played well,” and Swinney also liked the leadership his starting QB showed in the locker room following the loss.

“I think there were a lot of bright spots with Cade,” Swinney said. “He’s also one of those guys I’m really proud of, from just comments in the locker room, and that’s what leaders do. So, that kid will show up Monday ready to go, and he’s just going to keep getting better. But I thought he competed his butt off.”

Klubnik was at the helm of a Clemson offense that compiled just 188 total yards and failed to score a touchdown on Georgia for a 10th straight quarter, dating back to the 2014 game in Athens, Ga.

Klubnik was under consistent duress from a dominating Bulldogs defense, and when he wasn’t facing pressure from pass rushers, the playmakers in Georgia’s secondary didn’t make life any easier for him.

Klubnik was sacked a couple of times, and his interception came in the fourth quarter when All-American defensive back Malaki Starks leapt into the air and contorted his body for an acrobatic, highlight-reel grab.

“I thought Cade played well. I think he did a lot of positive things. I really do,” Swinney said. “He did a lot of positive things in the game. Starks made a great play on the one ball, on the box fade. That was a great play by a great player.”

Swinney added, regarding Klubnik, that the “biggest thing is we didn’t help him early on” in the game against an elite defense.

“Too many third-and-longs,” Swinney said. “You’re not going to make a living against Georgia on third-and-long.”

Following the season-opening loss, Klubnik, Swinney and the Tigers will try to get into the win column this Saturday when they host their home opener against Appalachian State at Memorial Stadium (8 p.m., ACC Network).