Cade Klubnik addresses mindset knowing he would enter the game early

If you only looked at the final score of the ACC Championship Game, it would be hard to tell how slowly Clemson started. However, for the first two drives with DJ Uiagalelei in at quarterback, Clemson went three and out. Then, once Cade Klubnik came into the game, the Tigers exploded offensively.

Cade Klubnik was always going to get into the game for Clemson. He knew it beforehand. What nobody knew was that Klubnik was never going to come out of the game again. He dominated and established that he was the clear starter moving forward. Now, Uiagalelei is in the transfer portal.

After the game, Cade Klubnik was asked about his mindset leading up to the game, knowing that he would get the chance to play in it.

“With the preparation, from kind of that standpoint, Coach Swinney and Coach Streeter told me all year long prepare every week like you’re gonna play, and that’s been my mindset,” Cade Klubnik said. “And I’ve learned so much this year. I’m just thankful for me just kind of getting to it back and watch. I feel like I’ve learned so much. So much about quarterback and offense and defenses and protections and it’s been awesome.”

A big part of the difference now from earlier in the season is just how much experience Cade Klubnik has. His knowledge of the game is stronger, so he can better prepare.

“I think that this week I’ve really been able to just dial in on North Carolina and I think we had our best week of practice all year. I really do, and I think that kind of showed out tonight, offense and defense. But, from the preparation standpoint, just kind of prepare like every other week and that’s just how it went.”

Cade Klubnik on the difference between the ACC Championship and other games

This wasn’t the first time that Cade Klubnik has played this season. It was, however, by far his best performance.

“Yeah I think I had a little bit of a different mindset today, I’m not exactly sure what it was but I was pretty pumped, and I just came ready to play free and just trusting God’s timing with everything,” Cade Klubnik said.

“That’s what I’ve learned most over the past six months really is just trusting God’s time with it and just having peace in that and having joy in that.”