ESPN broadcast reveals Clemson sideline's response to quarterback change

It didn’t take long for Clemson to make a change at quarterback in Saturday’s ACC Championship Game against North Carolina. After the Tigers’ first two offensive series went three-and-out, true freshman Cade Klubnik entered the game in place of DJ Uiagalelei.

The Clemson offense responded immediately, going on three straight touchdown drives after the quarterback change to take a two-possession lead. At the end of the first half, Klubnik was 10-of-11 passing for 149 yards and two total touchdowns (one passing, one rushing).

ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath provided an update on how the Tigers reacted to the switch on the sidelines, saying players have quickly begun to rally around Klubnik.

“A switch has been flipped on Clemson’s sideline since Cade Klubnik came in at quarterback,” McGrath said. “Defensive players were looking at each other shocked and excited saying, ‘Wow. He is really good.’ Klubnik telling his teammates, ‘We’re just getting started.'”

At the time of his exit, Uiagalelei was just 2-of-5 passing for 10 yards. He was also coming off of a poor performance in a 31-30 loss to South Carolina the previous week in which he was just 8-of-29 for 99 yards.

However, McGrath noted that he didn’t appear to be showing any outward effects from being benched, and was among Klubnik’s biggest supporters on the sideline.

“To DJ Uiagalelei’s credit, he’s the first guy congratulating Klubnik, talking through coverages on the sideline and being a great teammate,” McGrath said. “But make no mistake, Cade Klubnik is now the guy that everyone is looking to on this sideline.”

Clemson entered halftime leading 24-10 after a 52-yard field goal to close the half. They’ll hope to hang on to that lead in the second as they aim for their seventh ACC title in the past eight years, this time knowing that Klubnik will be commanding the offense.

Klubnik ranked as the No. 1 overall quarterback and No. 18 overall player in the 2022 class according to On3 Consensus. This isn’t the first time this season that Klubnik has replaced Uiagalelei as quarterback as he also led the Clemson on a comeback in Week 8 against Syracuse.