Cade Klubnik tabs Clemson defense as best in the country after win over Syracuse

Clemson got back on track Saturday afternoon against Syracuse, earning a 31-14 road win for its first ACC victory of the season. Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik made some big plays in the game, but it was the Clemson defense that really had its way with the Orange.

Clemson forced three turnovers and held Syracuse to less than 300 yards of offense, while playing its best game of the season. After the game, Klubnik spoke with ABC about what he saw form the defense.

“Best defense in the country. They are just unreal,” Klubnik said. “Just so proud of them. I mean the way that Trot finished with a huge interception, just to finish it. Just so proud of him and them.”

The first Syracuse drive of the game ended with Justin Mascoll forcing a fumble, before Xavier Thomas recovered a fumble for the Tigers later in the first quarter. The Clemson defense once again came up big late when Jeremiah Trotter Jr. picked off Garrett Shrader to secure the win.

“They work their butts off. They’ve got so much talent,” Klubnik said of the Clemson defense. “That’s a great team that we just played. That’s a heck of a team that every time we get to play them they’re going to play their best, and that’s a big-time win.”

Cade Klubnik discusses bounce back win by Clemson

Clemson entered the season with high hopes but got off to an 0-2 start in league play. The Tigers desperately needed to win Saturday’s game at Syracuse, and they found a way to get it done.

Cade Klubnik said he was proud of the way the Tigers responded against the Orange.

“We’re fighters,” Klubnik said. “We had big expectations for ourselves every year and every week. But the way that we just bounced back and just hungry to go get another win.”

Clemson is out of College Football Playoff discussion and is a long shot to reach the ACC Championship game at this point.

However, Klubnik said the Tigers will continue to play hard and have the best season they possibly can from this point forward.

“Coach Swinney says it all the time – we work all year and at most we’re going to get 15 chances to play a football game,” Klubnik said. “So every time we get an opportunity to come out here we’re just going to give it our all and play with joy.”