Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Mitchell Mayes (77) in the ACC Championship game against North Carolina on Saturday, December 3, 2022, in Charlotte, NC (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
With quarterback DJ Uiagalelei playing inconsistently for most of the season, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney scoffed at the idea of making a change when the idea was raised by the media.
But after the Tigers’ first two possessions totaled seven yards and two punts in the ACC title game against North Carolina, Swinney did just that.
He removed veteran Uiagalelei in favor of souped-up newcomer Cade Klubnik. Klubnik immediately provided a spark on offense and led Clemson to his seventh ACC title in eight seasons.
In the 39-10 win, Klubnik threw 279 yards on 20-of-24 passes, rushed 30 yards, and combined for two touchdowns.
Amid his slow start with Uiagagelei at quarterback, Clemson trailed 7-0 and looked lifeless — until Klubnik came to the rescue.
Clemson marched right across the field and leveled the score on Klubnik’s first series on the field. And after a UNC fumble, Clemson was quickly leading 14-7 with 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
On Clemson’s subsequent possession, Klubnik connected with Cole Turner with a beautiful deep ball down the left touchline for a 68-yard gain and setting up a one-yard rushing score.
Clemson then extended the lead with a field goal before halftime, turning the early 7-0 deficit into a 24-10 lead at the break.
The defense took over in the second half. UNC, led by their own star quarterback Drake Maye, veered deep into Clemson territory in the third quarter. But Maye made a terrible mistake, throwing the ball into traffic on the third goal. Nate Wiggins took the faulty pass and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown.
That defensive touchdown contributed to a lead far too large to break as the Tigers completely controlled the game in the second half en route to a blowout victory.
While returning to the top of the ACC after falling behind last year is something Clemson will celebrate, it’s hard not to wonder what that Clemson team’s cap might have been if Swinney does have one at some point during the regular season would have made quarterback changes.
The story goes on
Uiagalelei struggled mightily in 2021 as Clemson lost three regular season games for the first time since 2014. With Klubnik, a five-star recruit from Texas, joining the roster, many wondered if the younger QB would be able to get past Uiagalelei on the depth chart – much like Trevor Lawrence did with Kelly Bryant a few years ago Has.
But that never materialized as Clemson kept winning games. Clemson started the year 8-0 and was ranked No. 4 nationally when they went to Notre Dame on November 5 and were beaten 35-14. Uiagalelei played poorly in the game, but he wasn’t the only problem as Clemson’s vaunted defensive line was physically overwhelmed by the Fighting Irish.
At 8-1, Clemson was still in the national title and stayed there, bouncing back with victories over Louisville and Miami. A 10-1 win over rivals South Carolina in the regular season finale and UNC in the ACC title game would have given the Tigers a solid place in the mix for a CFP berth.
But South Carolina changed those plans with a 31-30 win at Clemson that ruined Clemson’s CFP hopes. Uiagalelei lost just 8 of 29 for 99 yards. It was not nice.
Clemson’s offense just looked so much crisper on Saturday night with Klubnik officiating the show. North Carolina’s defense makes many offenses look good, but Clemson fans will wonder what might have been if Swinney had changed things at some point during the season.
Instead of waiting for his Orange Bowl opponent, Clemson could have spent Sunday waiting to see if he lands in the college football playoff field.