Clemson QB Cade Klubnik poured his heart out after the Tigers’ 34-21 loss to Syracuse, admitting offensive struggles, praising his teammates, and vowing to fight on: “I’m unbreakable.”
Playing as One Still Elusive
Klubnik didn’t shy away from the frustration of another loss.
“We got to play as a team. Complementary football is where we have not shined. When defense has been playing great and we haven’t done great on offense, and vice versa. You got to play four quarters and got to play as a team, really what it comes down to.”
He praised the Tigers’ quick start — capped by a 38-yard strike to Bryant Wesco — but admitted the consistency just wasn’t there.
“We had a couple opportunities to find a way to come back and win. And, you know, we were close, but just didn’t get it done. And it’s tough.”
“All the Ingredients, But Not Baking the Cake”
Clemson’s second-half woes defined the game: eight possessions, only one touchdown. Klubnik was blunt.
“We’re so close, but we got all the ingredients — and just not really baking the cake right now. Eight possessions, one score, that’s not good enough.”
He stressed accountability.
“You got to continue to look yourself in the mirror and watch the film and see how we can get better. It takes every single one of us. Just continue to fight, fight for Clemson.”
Confidence in Tempo, Frustration in Rhythm
Klubnik said the Tigers found rhythm in tempo — until interruptions.
“We were doing it really all throughout the game. Props to them, they stopped us on some third downs. And then they have an injury or something like that when we really got going. That was definitely tough for us to really get in rhythm.”
He added tempo makes the offense play freer.
“When we’re playing with tempo, the guys aren’t thinking. We’re all just kind of going, and that’s always fun.”
Key Connections and Returning Weapons
On the early touchdown to Wesco:
“They could not have called a better defense really. They brought cat pressure, the safety’s just playing over top, and he just kept it skinny… just tried to buy enough time and throw it up there. He made a great play.”
He celebrated the return of Antonio Williams and Tristan Lee:
“It was great to get Tone in there. Really proud of the way that he led. That whole receiving core and tight ends did a heck of a job.”
“I’m Unbreakable”
With a bye week ahead, Klubnik made clear his faith isn’t shaken.
“I got a lot of belief. Something about me is I’m unbreakable. I will stand on that, and I will continue to fight for this team and fight for Clemson. Because they have done so much for me, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“No matter what it looks like or what the scoreboard is or what the record is — record doesn’t define us. It’s coming to work every single day, and that’s who I am, and that’s who I’ll continue to be.”