CLEMSON – In his last five games, including in Saturday’s 24-10 win over Florida State at a Memorial Stadium, Cade Klubnik has averaged over 300 passing yards per game, with 13 touchdowns and only two turnovers.

While Klubnik’s 385-yard performance last week against Duke was not enough to drag the Tigers to a win, it all came together for the signal-caller against the Seminoles. 

“It was awesome,” Klubnik said. “The fun is in winning, especially just because this is my last night being here probably, it’s just so fun. Just such a joyful game after a hard week.” 

Klubnik’s expression of his joy in the press conference directly opposed his visible emotion in a 46-45 loss to Duke last week. From the beginning, the win over Florida State started differently.

For only the second time this season, the Tigers (4-5, 3-4 ACC) started the game with a 7-0 lead, after a 13-play drive that finished with Klubnik’s second rushing touchdown in three games. The Austin, Texas native finished with 38 total yards on the opening offensive possession.

“We came out hot and got the run game going right out of the gate which was really good,” he said. “Obviously, we had some great pass plays, as well as guys just making plays downfield. It was really good to just kind of get the ball rolling and get the momentum going right out of the gate… I think it just kind of set us up for the whole game and just gave us a lot of confidence and momentum.”

Throughout the game, Klubnik found eight receivers for completions, including four wide receivers, two running backs, and two tight ends. 

“Yeah I think the receivers have been a real bright spot all year,” head coach Dabo Swinney said after the game. “They’re all just making plays. We really love our skill at receiver, at tight end, and at back. Just happy that those guys have had the season that they have. (Wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham) has done an awesome job with them.”

On Oct. 11, Klubnik found 10 receivers in a win over Boston College, before an ankle injury sidelined him against SMU. Although Klubnik is still healing with the injury three weeks later, Swinney told media members Saturday night that Klubnik’s ability to play was never in question.

“Offensively, Cade was awesome,” Swinney said. “He’s just a warrior. Dude is a competitor. It’s back-to-back weeks, he’s barely been able to practice… and each day he’d take very limited reps. I’d say, ‘Cade,’ and he’d say, ‘I’ll be ready by Saturday. I’ll be ready.’ He’s just unbelievably committed. He’s tough as they come and the kid cares so much.”

For Klubnik, the decision to push through paid off. The Tigers notched their first win at home over a Power Conference team in over a year in Klubnik’s last night game. Now, after becoming the fourth Clemson Tiger to record 10,000 total yards in the win over the Seminoles, Klubnik will have one more chance to run down the hill on Senior Day in two weeks.

Before senior day against Furman and Klubnik’s last start at Death Valley, the Tigers will take on the Louisville Cardinals Friday to rematch a loss from last year.