With questions surrounding the quarterback position and whether Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning gives Texas the best chance to lead the team to a championship, the Longhorns offered an alternative against Clemson.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik
Klubnik gave the Tigers a reason to be excited about 2025. The Austin native was the better quarterback against Texas, finishing 26-of-43 for 336 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
He made several big throws in the second half as Clemson attempted a comeback from a 21-point deficit.
The junior also had his big game without help from Clemson’s rushing offense. The Tigers had 76 yards, with wide receiver Adam Randall leading the team with 44 yards. Running backs Keith Adams Jr., Jarvis Green and Phil Mafah combined to rush seven times for 27 yards.
Klubnik is draft-eligible but hasn’t announced his plans for 2025 yet. If he returns to Clemson, he should be able to improve his draft stock.
His strong connection with freshman T.J. Moore was displayed in the loss. Moore led the Tigers with career-highs in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (116 yards), and Clemson recently added transfer Tristan Smith, who had 76 receptions, 934 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2024 at Southeast Missouri State.
With Klubnik, Clemson could have its best passing attack since Trevor Lawrence was its quarterback.
Electric home atmosphere
Let’s enjoy the moment while it lasts. As disappointing as the three double-digit results to start the CFP have been, the home atmospheres have made up for it.
That was also true at Texas, where fans didn’t throw bottles onto the field like at its last high-profile game. Baby steps.
The raucous environments aren’t replicable in the corporate, impersonal bowl settings. If anything, more CFP games should be at home stadiums. It’s borderline criminal that fans at Oregon, Georgia, Boise State and Arizona State won’t get to enjoy similar environments.
“I think this is amazing for college football,” Sarkisian said afterward.
We can’t wait to discover how the decision-makers ruin it, like scheduling the First Round games on neutral sites.
Longhorns injuries a potential cause for concern
During the game, college football insider CJ Vogel noted several potentially significant Longhorns injuries, including those of Tre Wisner, right tackle Cam Williams and center Jake Majors.
