Why Clemson football QB Cade Klubnik says going for blowout wins is 'respecting your opponent'

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CLEMSON -- Clemson football won 10 games last season, including six by three possessions, but quarterback Cade Klubnik wants the offense to be more dominant in 2025.

He recalled a story of his high school coach, who would tell his team to continue scoring points despite already blowing out opponents in the second half. Klubnik said it boiled down to "respecting your opponent."

"That was a good reminder he told me this offseason," Klubnik said Aug. 19. "I want to respect my opponent. I want to give them full four quarters of what we have, and I feel like sometimes last year, we got up big and let up."

Clemson's second-half lulls came against FSU, Pitt and SMU, where the Tigers' offense struggled to build on their lead and allowed opponents to get back into games. Klubnik took accountability for some of the offense's woes, expressing he missed throws that could have added to Clemson's lead.

Despite these missteps, Clemson's offense resurged last season to help the Tigers win the ACC and return to the College Football Playoff. The Tigers averaged 34.7 points, 18th in FBS, and 451.9 yards, 11th. It marked the first time they ranked in the top 25 in both categories since 2020.

Klubnik's play was critical to the offensive renaissance. He threw for 3,639 yards (10th in the nation) with 36 touchdowns (third) and six interceptions and rushed for 463 yards.

Klubnik was among multiple players who remained at Clemson for 2025 instead of going to the NFL, including wide receiver Antonio Willams and offensive tackles Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh. Clemson also retained talented underclassmen like wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore and kept third-year offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.

For Clemson's offense to take another step forward in 2025, Klubnik said success in the red zone will be critical. The Tigers ranked 49th in red-zone offense last season, scoring 45 times in 52 trips. Of those 45, 14 were field-goal kicks. Klubnik wants to replace those three points with touchdowns.

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"We've been really successful in the red zone in terms of just this camp," Klubnik said. "... Being able to put the ball in play, as Coach Riley likes to say, and let our playmakers go make plays is really good for us."

No. 6 Clemson's first chance to improve in both areas comes against No. 9 LSU on Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Memorial Stadium. Both are looking to earn a Week 1 win for the first time in several years. Clemson has not won a season-opening game since 2022; LSU has not won one since 2019.

With experienced and talented players returning, Clemson is ranked in the top 10 in both preseason polls and has players who have earned accolades. Klubnik was among players who received awards, including preseason ACC player of the year.

He is also viewed as a Heisman Trophy contender, looking to become the first Clemson player to win the coveted award. His pass catchers want him to win the Heisman trophy this year, but Klubnik eyes a different goal.

"At the end of the day, I want to go win," Klubnik said. "That's the stat that really matters."

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00