The Clemson Tigers’ season ended after they were unable to overcome a major upset against the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
It was a truly fulfilling 2024 season for the Tigers. They won 10 games, won the ACC title, and entered the newly expanded CFP.
But going into battle with the Longhorns proved to be no easy task. Although it was a 14-point loss, one could argue that Clemson outperformed expectations, especially on offense.
Texas has the best defense in the nation and arguably one of the best secondaries. Throwing the ball to the Longhorns is something few players have been able to do this season. But Cade Klubnik and the Tigers’ passing offense had their best game of the season in key moments.
In the loss, Klubnik had 336 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one interception. This was an impressive performance considering Texas allowed less than 200 yards through the air per game.
After the game, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian had high praise for Klubnik and what he was able to do against the Texas defense.
“I’m so proud of Cade,” Sarkisian said, via Clemson Insider. “I’ve known him for a long time and scouted him for what seems like an eternity when he was in high school, and his career wasn’t the start he would have hoped for at Clemson. The fact is, there were a lot of expectations placed on him there, but to come out and have a season like this year for them and lead them to the playoffs and be an ACC champion is a credit to him. . He’s a very good football player.”
After a mediocre sophomore season, the Tigers quarterback took a big leap forward in 2024. Overall, Klubnik finished with 3,639 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns, and just six interceptions. A lot of attention is focused on the way he throws the ball, but he was also able to rush for nearly 500 yards and score seven scores.
The junior quarterback quickly became one of the best players in the country at his position and was a big factor in Clemson’s success this season.
Now, expectations will be on the Tigers as Klubnik returns for his senior season. If he does, they will enter 2025 with one of the best passing offenses in the country.
