Cade Klubnik is growing up right before our very eyes.

After his first year as the full-time starter did not quite live up to the lofty expectations that were in place, the former 5-star recruit is playing as well as any quarterback in the country over his past two games.

After finishing 69th nationally in QBR last season, he is currently third in the country at 93.3. He is the first quarterback to post back-to-back games with a QBR of 99 since 2004. Klubnik did it against App State and he did again in the blowout win over NC State Saturday.

“That’s growth,” head coach Dabo Swinney said during his Sunday teleconference. “When I was reviewing the tape that is exactly what I wrote down. That is quarterback growth.”

One area where there has been significant improvement is the downfield passing attack. Klubnik completed six passes that went at least 15 yards in the win over Wolfpack, with four of those going for 25 or more.

“He’s playing well and hopefully he will continue to build the momentum,” Swinney said. “Because momentum leads to confidence and right now we are seeing a lot of confidence. Not just Cade, but the whole group.”

After leading the offense to touchdowns on its first eight possessions against App State, Klubnik picked right up where he left off against NC State. The Tigers hit paydirt on each of their first four possessions and on seven of Klubnik’s nine drives. Only once did Clemson punt while he was in the game.

Even more so, Klubnik is protecting the football, an area he struggled in last year. He has thrown just one interception in his first three games..

The junior signal caller would finish the afternoon 16-of-24 for 209 yards with three touchdown passes in the 59-35 win over NC State. He also added 70 yards via his legs, including a 55-yard touchdown run.

That success has trickled down to the rest of the offense, with everyone feeding off of that momentum. Make no mistake though, it all starts with the quarterback and right now Klubnik has this Clemson offense hitting on all cylinders.

“We got a bunch of guys that are capable of having a big day, but it all starts with the quarterback making the right decisions, getting us in good plays, protecting the football, he is doing a great job of that, being accurate and being a great leader for us.”

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