CLEMSON – Some losses are just different than others.

While Clemson has experienced several defeats over the past couple of seasons, the loss to Louisville on Saturday night hit a little differently.

The Tigers were not just beaten, they were thoroughly outclassed. And in all three phases. The Cardinals looked more prepared and better coached. They were absolutely the better team.

After the disjointed performance, Clemson’s postseason goals have been greatly diminished. Coming in, this team looked like it was in prime position to lock up a spot in the ACC Championship and maybe even get back into the playoff for the first time since 2020. Now, sitting at No. 23 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, the Tigers are barely holding on to a spot in the Top 25.

It was a result that has led to a lot of soul-searching and self-reflection inside the football facility over the past few days.

“It’s definitely been tense,” freshman receiver Bryant Wesco said. “A bunch of people having a type of little edge to them this week, knowing that we felt like we were a better team. We felt like there are a lot of things that we made mistakes on, and we know that we are a lot better than what we showed.”

Louisville was able to gash the Clemson defense, averaging almost eight yards per carry and after the demoralizing defeat, the Tigers are now just 51st nationally in total defense and 95th against the run.

Saturday night is one of those games the players aren’t likely to forget anytime soon. Nor should they. There are valuable lessons to be learned. However, despite the disappointment, the vibe inside the Allen J. Reeves complex the past two days has been exactly where it needs to be.

“Obviously it sucks not being able to control our own destiny anymore,” Khalil Barnes said.

“I didn’t even come here Sunday. That was the day to get that nasty feeling (out). Let that kind of stay at your house, stay away. But when we came back Monday, it was pretty good. We keep thinking about (last) Saturday it is going to hurt us this Saturday.”

Again, this Clemson team doesn’t need to forget the emotions felt coming off that kind of performance. Instead, they need to channel those feelings. All of the anger, frustration and disappointment. Take it and use it as motivation to finish out strong.

With a road game at Virginia Tech up next, this weekend is an opportune time to show what happened against Louisville was just a bump in the road and not a sign of things to come.

“Sunday and Monday was definitely tough coming off a loss,” Cade Klubnik said. “But I think yesterday and today, just kind of turned around and looked to the next week and decided to go play football again. Excited to go win a game. It’s fun to challenge ourselves and see what we can get better at. Look at the man in the mirror. But it’s been great energy the past two days.”

“The one thing I have kind of learned is you can not just push away the feelings. You can’t just go home all day Sunday and just go hop on a game, go play X-Box for eight hours and just come to practice on Monday and act like it didn’t happen. You really have to accept it. You got to accept the feelings, accept the anger, accept the emotions that come with that.”

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!