DJ Uiagalelei had a message for Cade Klubnik before he entered vs. Syracuse

CLEMSON — Before Cade Klubnik went into the game at quarterback for Clemson against Syracuse on Saturday, he received a quick pep talk from the QB he was replacing.

Tigers junior QB DJ Uiagalelei threw his second interception of the game midway through the third quarter against the Orange, and Klubnik was instructed to start warming up on the sideline.

After the Clemson defense got a stop, Uiagalelei went up to the freshman, offered some encouraging words and patted him on the helmet before he entered the game.

Klubnik took his first snap with the Tigers trailing 21-10 and 4:53 left in the third quarter. He ended up helping Clemson earn the 27-21 come-from-behind victory.

“He just said go play my game,” Klubnik recalled. “We have a really cool connection. We really do. I think a lot of people think it’s a lot more of a competition, but it’s really just loving on each other and being thankful for every opportunity we get.”

Klubnik didn’t play perfect after replacing Uiagalelei, but he took care of the ball and made enough plays for the Tigers to earn the win.

Despite Klubnik helping the Tigers rally on Saturday, Uiagalelei will remain Clemson’s starting QB moving forward, Dabo Swinney quickly announced after the game.

It’s a decision Klubnik agrees with and supports.

“I’ve had his side since Day 1 with everything he’s been through. He’s been through more than anybody in the freaking country has been through,” Klubnik said. “I have so much respect for him. He honestly just went and loved on me and was just so selfless in that moment. Just tried to come comfort me and be like ‘Hey, you’ve got this man.’ It was really awesome.”

Uiagalelei finished 13 for 21 passing for 138 yards and two interceptions on Saturday. He also fumbled once inside the Syracuse 10, with the Orange returning the fumble for a touchdown.

Klubnik was 2-for-4 passing for 19 yards and added 15 yards on the ground.

Clemson’s coaching staff expects Uiagalelei to bounce back and play the way he did the first seven weeks of the season when the Tigers return to action at Notre Dame on Nov. 5. But should Uiagalelei struggle, they now also know that they can count on Klubnik to come in and get the job done.

“There’s a lot of positive that came out of what happened today, because we found a way to win,” Clemson offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter said. “We found out that Cade can come in and do some stuff and we don’t have to slow down. That’s a good feeling for a coach.”