Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik took the stand for the last time before the long awaited showdown against LSU on Saturday. The senior is eager to kick off his final season with a ranked win.
Klubnik emphasized that this Clemson team is driven by its players, not just its coaching staff. “I would say so, going all the way back to January, especially throughout the summer, it’s been very player-led,” Klubnik said. “Obviously our coaches do a great job too, but we’re very, very player-led for sure.”
He praised LSU’s discipline and coaching, led by head coach Brian Kelly, and pointed to the experience on their roster — including quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, leading receiver Aaron Anderson, tight end Mason Taylor, and running back Kaden Durham.
“They’re explosive,” Klubnik said. “They’re smart, they’re physical, they’re relentless.”
Because LSU doesn’t make mental errors often, Klubnik knows Clemson needs to be sharp and efficient, especially on early downs and stay in front of the chains. “It’ll be a fun challenge for us,” he said.
“I feel like anything within 20 yards should be a handoff, anything within 20 yards should be automatic for me,” Klubnik said about his game plan heading into Saturday. “That should be a goal for me — anything within 20 yards, if it’s there, I’m hitting it. Anything past that, I should hit it too, that’s for sure.”
When asked if he and Nussmeier stay in touch, Klubnik quickly responded, “Absolutely, yeah,” noting they grew up attending camps together. He has a lot of admiration for Nussmeier. “Playing behind Jayden (Daniels) and waiting until his fourth year to start, I’ve got a ton of respect for that. I love watching him play.”
Despite the media’s tendency to frame big games as quarterback duels, Klubnik doesn’t see it that way. He views it more as “him versus LSU’s defense” rather than “him versus Nussmeier.”
“I’m not on the field with (Nussmeier), so I’m not necessarily directly going against him. I really focus on their defensive coordinator and the players they have on their defense.”
The team’s mindset remains consistent. According to coaches, the mantra is to “make the routine plays routinely,” and Klubnik says the team is ready to show the work they’ve put in since spring camp.
As for the pressure? Klubnik keeps it in perspective. “It’s another game, and it’s a huge game — but so is week three. You just have to have that mentality.”
“Just go rip it,” Klubnik summed it up with.
