Dabo Swinney sets expectations for Cade Klubnik in first career start, Orange Bowl
Clemson true freshman quarterback Cade Klubik bursted onto the scene this weekend, taking over the offense in the team’s third series of the game in the ACC Championship and leading the Tigers to a 39-10 win over North Carolina. Klubnik’s performance earned him his first career start in the Tigers’ upcoming bowl game, as they’ll take on Tennessee in the Orange Bowl, and head coach Dabo Swinney spoke on what he expects in his first start.
“Hopefully just first of all great preparation like he’s been having, but just playing within the system and just being smart with the ball and just doing what he’s coached to do, and I thought he did an amazing job of that last night,” Swinney said.
Klubnik played lights out on the biggest stage of the season, throwing for 279 yards and rushing for 30, scoring a touchdown through the air and on the ground. He was extremely efficient, completing 83% of his 24 pass attempts and not turning the ball over once, as Swinney the Tigers hope to see more of the same in the Orange Bowl.
“So really just hopefully pick up where he left off, but he’s accurate, made good decisions outside of maybe one or two in the run game,” Swinney explained. “He extended some plays, did some things with his legs, so just to continue again to play within the system, bring that great energy, and protect the football.”
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Klubnik’s elite play certainly earned him the right to start in the Orange Bowl, but it was made certain following quarterback DJ Uiagalelei‘s recent decision to enter the transfer portal on Monday.
The Tigers won’t be the only team in this matchup playing without their day one starter at quarterback, as Vol’s backup quarterback Joe Milton will get the start versus Clemson after star quarterback Hendon Hooker suffered a torn ACL in Tennessee’s second to last game of the year.
This year’s Orange Bowl will not only feature two reserve quarterbacks, but two of the nation’s top-ranked two-loss teams ranked No. 6 and No. 7 in the final College Football Playoff polls. FanDuel currently has the Tigers as 4.5-point favorites, as the two teams will face off on December 30 in Hard Rock Stadium at 8:00 p.m. ET in a game airing on ESPN