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Snap judgments as Cade Klubnik, Clemson pound UNC for ACC title

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•12/03/22•

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Cade Klubnik led Clemson to a win over North Carolina on Saturday. (John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik finally got an opportunity to show what he is capable of Saturday night against North Carolina in the ACC championship game.

The freshman didn’t disappoint, finishing with 309 yards of offense and a pair of touchdowns to lead Clemson to a 39-10 win over the Tar Heels.

With the victory, Clemson has clinched a spot in the Orange Bowl and is the ACC champion for the seventh time in eight years. The Tigers will find out their opponent on Sunday.

Here are some quick takeaways from Saturday’s ACC title game:

Cade Klubnik provided spark

The game started off poorly for the Tigers with Clemson going 3-and-out and UNC driving right down the field for a touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.

But everything changed when Klubnik entered the game midway through the first quarter. The Texas native was accurate, confident and did an excellent job of running the offense.

There was a different energy on both sides of the ball with Klubnik in the game that simply wasn’t there the first two series with DJ Uiagalelei in at quarterback.

Nate Wiggins reaching potential

We heard a lot about about Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins in the preseason, but it has been an up-and-down year for the sophomore.

We finally saw why Wiggins’ teammates were such believers in him in the preseason on Saturday as the Georgia native broke up two passes, returned an interception for a touchdown and blocked a field goal in the dominant performance.

Wiggins’ pick-six put the game away as it came just outside of the goal line. UNC had a chance to cut the lead to 7. Instead, Wiggins made it a three-score game with the pick six.

Dabo Swinney right about Cole Turner

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has been talking up Cole Turner since he stepped foot on campus. Turner certainly looked like a player capable of being a difference maker on Saturday.

The freshman had three catches for 101 yards, becoming the first 100-yard receiver of the season for the Tigers.

Clemson chose to redshirt Turner and this was only the second game he played in all year, but he looked like a player who could’ve been helping the Tigers throughout the season.