Klubnik, Swinney Explain why QB Came out of Game

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Dabo Swinney said he was fine with Cade Klubnik playing aggressive and going for a first down, even though his quarterback got banged up on a first quarter run in No. 15 Clemson’s 29-13 win over Florida State Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Klubnik was banged up after he scrambled 14 yards for a first down with 53 seconds to play in the first quarter. At the end of the play, the Clemson quarterback took a shot that left him laying on the ground for a few seconds.

Klubnik stayed on the ground for about five seconds and then popped up. However, the officials asked him to leave the field.

“I was a little slow to get up. I think the refs thought I needed to come out for a play,” he said.

Klubnik was not sure why the officials asked him to get checked out.

“I don’t know. They said I was slow to come up, so I needed to come out for a play,” he said.

Swinney said the officials wanted to make sure he was okay.

Some think Klubnik should have slid on the play, so he is not risking injury. However, his head coach does not agree with that assessment and used the fact Klubnik slid short of a first down in last week’s game against Stanford as an example.

“After he did not get the first down against Stanford, I think he needs to get a few of those,” Swinney said. “We are going to need them. Yeah, he has to be smart, but he also has to lead his team.

“That was a good play, and he bounced back.”

After sitting out the next play, Klubnik came back to throw a touchdown pass to T.J. Moore two plays later that put the Tigers up 17-0 with two seconds to play in the first quarter.

Klubnik finished his night 19 of 33 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 11 times for 62 yards.