CLEMSON — Cade Klubnik never considered not suiting up for Clemson one final time in the Pinstripe Bowl.

While the Tigers are missing 27 scholarship players due to injury, opt-outs and transfers, Klubnik will take the field one final time, as he tried to end his career on a high note.

After starting the season 1-3, the Tigers found themselves sitting at 3-5 after a last-minute home loss to Duke on November 1. Since then, Klubnik has helped Clemson reel off four straight wins, including a road victory over rival South Carolina in the regular season finale.

While the season certainly did not go as anyone planned, Klubnik fully believes that getting a win over Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl would send the program into the offseason on a positive note. And even though the senior quarterback won’t be back next season, he wants that momentum for the players who will return.

“I think it is huge,” Klubnik said. “To send these guys that are coming back next year out on a streak.”

KLubnik guided Clemson on a similar run in 2023, his first season as the full-time starter. The Tigers were just 4-4 after eight games, before ending the season on a five-game winning streak that included a thrilling win over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.

“Looking back to what we did two years ago and that five-game winning streak kind of catapulted us into last year,” Klubnik added. “I do think it is going to be huge. That is what I am continually fighting for.”

Klubnik is completing 67% of his passes for 2,750 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s spent the back half of the season playing through multiple injuries, a testament to just how bad he wants to end his career with a win, not only for himself, but also for every other player that will be on that field.

“I really want to strain to get that finish for those guys that care coming back,” Klubnik said. “But also to finish well in my career, and for the guys that are done after this one. It is really important.”