As a sophomore in 2023 – his first full season as Clemson’s starting quarterback — Cade Klubnik helped the Tigers bounce back from a 4-4 start to finish that year with a 9-4 record.

So, will Clemson’s response to adversity in the 2023 campaign help the Tigers as they look to rally from a 1-2 start this season?

Klubnik weighed in on that question when he met with the media Wednesday.

“We want to respond faster, that’s for sure. … But this is not the same team, that’s for sure. This is a much better team than we were in ’23,” Klubnik said.

Klubnik says the Tigers simply have to “keep chasing” as they try to get back on track moving forward, adding that Clemson is “right there” despite the disappointing start.

“We’ve got two losses and both of them have come down to the very last play of the game. We’re right there,” Klubnik said. “We’ve just got to put it all together and keep striving. I believe that every dream we have is still in front of us, and let’s just go back after it and go back to work and just keep chasing. We’ve got nine more guaranteed games, and hoping to chase some more after that.”

Clemson will chase its second win of the season, and first ACC win, on Saturday when the Tigers host Syracuse at Death Valley (noon, ESPN).

“It’s a long season,” Klubnik said, “and we’re ready to get back after it and ready to go practice today and ready to get back to Death Valley on Saturday.”