Cade Klubnik’s stat line tells part of the story: 15-of-26 passing for 207 yards, one touchdown, one interception, plus 62 rushing yards and another score. But numbers alone don’t capture the rollercoaster ride Clemson’s quarterback delivered in Saturday’s 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech. Here’s how Klubnik graded out:
Accuracy: B-
When Klubnik was on, he was sharp — especially with freshman Bryant Wesco Jr., who finished with 126 receiving yards. Klubnik’s 73-yard strike to Wesco was picture-perfect, hitting his target in stride for a game-changing touchdown. But he also misfired in key spots, including several incompletions on short and intermediate throws that could have sustained drives.
Decision-Making: C
This is where the game turned. Klubnik’s first-quarter fumble set up a Georgia Tech field goal, and his red-zone interception in the third quarter wiped away a golden scoring chance. Those two turnovers directly led to points for the Yellow Jackets — the kind of mistakes that separate wins from losses in conference play.
Mobility: A-
Klubnik’s legs were a weapon. He extended plays, scrambled for tough yards, and punched in a one-yard touchdown run that gave Clemson life before halftime. His 17 carries for 62 yards kept the offense from stalling completely, though at times he looked too eager to tuck and run instead of working through his reads.
Poise: B
Trailing 13-0 on the road, Klubnik showed resilience. He rallied Clemson back into the game, capped by orchestrating a 13-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter that tied it at 21. But poise in crunch time means protecting the football and avoiding mistakes — and that’s where he fell short.
Overall: C+
Klubnik gave Clemson enough to win, but his mistakes helped ensure they didn’t. He flashed the talent that makes him one of the ACC’s most gifted quarterbacks, but costly turnovers overshadowed the highlights. Until Klubnik finds consistency in decision-making and ball security, Clemson will struggle to finish games like Saturday’s heartbreaker.