Cade Klubnik didn’t hesitate when asked about the turning point in Clemson’s comeback. It wasn’t a play or a coaching adjustment — it was a voice.
At halftime, defensive lineman Peter Woods stood up and delivered what Klubnik called a “reset” moment.
“It’s really awesome. It’s really cool to see how he’s grown over the last three years,” Klubnik said. “Nobody wants to lead in a tough spot. It’s easy to lead when everything’s going well. But to see him step up and take control of the moment was awesome. His words were impactful, and it was really good to hear. Honestly, it helped our team a lot and we came out hot in the second half.”
For Clemson, struggling through a sloppy, delay-filled first half, Woods’ passion provided clarity. Klubnik described the speech as “energetic and passionate,” and he insisted the effect was immediate.
Navigating the Weirdest Game of His Career
Clemson’s quarterback also peeled back the curtain on just how disorienting Saturday’s weather delay was. What began as a 30-minute hold turned into more than an hour of uncertainty.
“You can’t hold that energy for seven hours before you even play the game,” Klubnik admitted. “At one point I just took off my pads, took off my cleats, got some treatment, and disconnected. Then they gave us the 15-minute warning and you’ve got to lock back in.”
Klubnik said he joked with teammate Trent Pearman that the Tigers were “due for one of these” delays, given neither had experienced one in four years on campus. But he acknowledged the mental strain of restarting after such a long pause.
Playing with Conviction
If the first half was defined by confusion, the second half was all about clarity. Klubnik pointed to his decisiveness as the biggest stride in Week 2.
“I think just getting the right foot in the ground and triggering the ball, just being decisive,” he said. “The word I love is convicted — being convicted by what I’m doing, not overthinking. That’s what I do really well, and I’ve got to keep doing that.”
Even with a couple of throws he wished he had back, Klubnik emphasized that the offense finally played “11-for-11 football” — every player executing his role — instead of the ten-men-working, one-man-missing pattern that plagued them earlier.
Building Chemistry Without Antonio Williams
Clemson has been without wideout Antonio Williams, but Klubnik said the sophomore is growing rapidly and will be a major piece of the offense when fully healthy.
“He’s really, really good, man. He’s fast, but his routes are really sharp. He sees what I see,” Klubnik said. “It’s really fun to have him out there.”
He also praised TJ Moore for a strong week of preparation and pointed out the steady growth of Tyler Brown as another trusted target.
The Road Ahead: Georgia Tech
Now the focus shifts to Clemson’s first road trip of 2025: Bobby Dodd Stadium against an unbeaten Georgia Tech squad that has circled this game on its calendar.
“They’ve got a great team, great atmosphere, great quarterback in Haynes,” Klubnik said. “Their defense is bend-don’t-break. They don’t want to give up big plays. Their DC was at Texas last year, so there are some similarities in the disguises they run.”
And for Clemson’s quarterback, there’s no better setting.
“I love road games. I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Klubnik said. “That’s why I came to Clemson — to be the target. We’re excited to go into somebody else’s territory.”
Bottom Line
Clemson’s season might have quietly pivoted in that chaotic locker room, where a young leader’s voice cut through the noise and reset the Tigers’ mindset. Klubnik is now speaking with the same conviction he says he’s bringing to the field — decisive, confident, and ready for a hostile road environment.
If Clemson can bottle that halftime spark and Klubnik’s newfound decisiveness, the Tigers may have found the formula to steady their season.