Cade Klubnik admits it took him 'a few days' to get over LSU loss

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik did not mince words following a disappointing loss against LSU this past weekend. Klubnik and the offense stalled out late, failing to score at all in the second half of an eventual 17-10 loss.

Clemson had actually led at halftime, but gave up a pair of touchdowns in the second half to squander the lead. Klubnik finished 19-of-38 passing for 230 yards and also threw an interception.

The QB admitted it took him a while to get over his own performance, but added that he is choosing to use the defeat as motivation in a way. He recalled that Clemson also opened the 2024 season with a loss before eventually going on to win the ACC Championship.

“I was pissed off after the game,” Klubnik said. “I was upset. It took me a few days to really bounce back from it because of the way that I played. But I remember last year and I remember losing Week 1. I actually had a guy come up and tell me, ‘Everybody was pretty mad about last year’s first loss.’ They said they showed up on Sunday or Monday and had a ton of energy and a ton of enthusiam and ready to push guys. They said that just totally changed their whole mindset. Changed the way that they went about practice and their mindset for the week and how to attack the next week.

“…That was just a really good reminder to me of my influence is very heavy, but I’ve gotta to change my mindset too. I’ve got to attack every single day and attack every week. I think that that’s what I’ve gotta do and that’s what needs to be done.”

Although the loss to LSU certainly stings, Clemson’s path is still there to make this a successful season. The ACC crown is obviously still up for grabs, which would net them an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.

The Tigers will get a chance to rebound in Week 2 with a matchup against Troy on Saturday. Klubnik will certainly look to be better in that game, and for him that starts with his preparation.

“Just excited to get back to work and it’s been a really good first couple of days getting ready for this next week,” he said. “I feel really confident about this team. I think we’re a really good team that’s gonna have a great year. I think coach Swinney said it, and he said it to us before, but this game gave me no doubt about our team and what we can do. It just totally fulfilled us with confidence in what we can do and what we’re about.”