Cade Klubnik replaces DJ Uiagalelei at QB, fuels Clemson to win over Syracuse
Clemson football has turned to its freshman quarterback.
The No. 5 Tigers put backup Cade Klubnik into the game trailing No. 14 Syracuse 21-10 with 4:53 remaining in the third quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
On Clemson’s previous possession, starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw his second interception of the game on an overthrown pass to tight end Jake Briningstool.
Uiagalelei also fumbled at Syracuse’s three-yard line in the second quarter. The Orange returned that fumble 90 yards for a defensive touchdown.
Klubnik guided Clemson to three scoring drives, including a 15-play, 80-yard effort that ended in a Phil Mafah rushing touchdown, leading the Tigers to a 27-21 come-from-behind win.
Klubnik, a five-star 2022 quarterback from Texas, drew rave reviews during preseason camp but started the year as the clear backup to Uiagalelei, a second-year starter in 2021.
Klubnik had an impressive opening drive in garbage time against Georgia Tech in Week 1, but he’s played sparingly since behind Uiagalelei, who entered the Syracuse game with the seventh best odds to win the Heisman Trophy.
This story was originally published October 22, 2022 at 2:27 PM.
