Cade Klubnik recalls 2022 ACC Championship, why Clemson has 'bigger dreams' in 2023

A star was born in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte last season as freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik was able to secure an ACC championship win in his first career collegiate start for the Clemson Tigers.

Klubnik was impressive in that game, returning the conference championship to Clemson following a one-year hiatus after five straight conference title wins. It will surely be a memory that Klubnik remembers forever, but as he heads into his sophomore season, he wants even more for the Tigers

“Man, I mean, that was obviously a super special game for me,” Klubnik said at ACC Media Days. “But one thing I’ve learned is those highs only last about 25 minutes. So we’ve come to work this offseason and we’ve got way bigger dreams, way bigger goals.”

The Tigers have been dominant in the ACC during head coach Dabo Swinney‘s tenure, and have taken their game beyond the conference on various occasions with four national championship appearances and two national championship wins.

Clemson hasn’t returned to College Football Playoff or national championship stage since the 2019-2020 season, which ended with a national championship loss to the LSU Tigers. But Klubnik is determined to repeat as conference champions and return to the College Football Playoff.

“So obviously an ACC Championship is something everybody in this league strives for every single year. It’s the highest honor you can be given in this great league,” Klubnik said. “We’re obviously striving to be ACC Champions again, but after that, we’ve got bigger goals, we’ve got more plans to go a little bit further. That’s what’s in our goals right now.”

Klubnik has already proven he belongs on the big stage, completing 20 of his 24 pass attempts in the ACC title game for 279 passing yards and a touchdown along with a rushing touchdown on the ground as well.

He wasn’t as impressive in his second start in the Capital One Orange Bowl where the Tigers fell to the Tennessee Volunteers 31-14. He did not throw a touchdown pass versus the Vols and was sacked four times, completing just 55.6% of his passes and throwing two interceptions.

Clemson is hoping to see more of title game Klubnik versus bowl game Klubnik in 2023, also bringing in new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley from TCU who helped lead the Horned Frogs all the way to the national championship last season behind their high-powered offense. A perfect pairing for a quarterback who wants to take his team to the same heights this upcoming season.