Home US SportsNCAAF Can Cade Klubnik revive Clemson’s worst scoring offense in 27 years vs UNC? ‘We’re going to keep fighting’

Can Cade Klubnik revive Clemson’s worst scoring offense in 27 years vs UNC? ‘We’re going to keep fighting’

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CLEMSON — Clemson football‘s offense is scoring its fewest points since 1998, but quarterback Cade Klubnik is confident the Tigers can rebound after the open date.

“We’re not going anywhere, and we’re going to keep fighting and try to give ourselves the best postgame opportunity,” Klubnik said Oct. 1.

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The Tigers (1-3, 0-2 ACC) look to avoid their worst start in ACC play since 1998 with a win against UNC (2-2) on Oct. 4 (noon ET, ESPN) at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Clemson is averaging 19.8 points (116th nationally, last in the ACC). The last time the Tigers struggled to score points like this was in 1998 when they averaged 19.8 under coach Tommy West, who led Clemson to a 3-8 finish.

The Tigers also had a season-high 503 yards of offense against Syracuse in Week 4 but scored only three times on 13 drives. It was the third time in program history Clemson generated more than 500 yards and lost.

Clemson has trailed at halftime in every game this season except in Week 1 vs. LSU and only scored on their opening drive once (vs. Syracuse). Similar to Tigers coach Dabo Swinney, Klubnik said doing the routine things like avoiding negative plays and turnovers and being efficient on drives will allow Clemson’s offense to be more consistent.

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“We’ve had some good starts, and we’ve had some good second halves. We need to really just put two really good halves together,” Klubnik said.

His play has been a reason for Clemson’s struggles, completing 60.1% of his passes for 996 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. Last season, Klubnik completed 63.4% of his throws for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions over 14 games.

MORE: Dabo Swinney calls Clemson football’s 1-3 start ‘a coaching failure’

He added he doesn’t feel like he was pressing in the first four games after Swinney suggested on Sept. 30 that some players were after receiving preseason accolades but starting the year slow. The 17-year Clemson coach also expressed confidence in Klubnik despite some fans calling for backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina to replace him.

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Klubnik added the open week gave he and the Tigers a “good mental reset” as Clemson is off to its worst start since 2004.

“I’m still trying to go be my best self, and that’s really what matters,” Klubnik said. “Just trying to lead this team. We’re not going anywhere. We’re right here, and we’re going to keep fighting till the end.”

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

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football, Cade Klubnik have worst scoring offense in 37 years

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