Cade Klubnik, Clemson Locked In Ahead of Pinstripe Bowl: "This Is Still a Business Trip"
For Cade Klubnik, the Pinstripe Bowl isn’t just a final chapter-it’s a statement. Not a victory lap, not a formality, but one more shot to lead Clemson the way he’s always intended: with purpose, with grit, and with a team-first mentality that hasn’t wavered, even as the college football calendar flips into late December.
“We’ve got a job to do and the season’s not over,” Klubnik said. “Let’s go get another win.”
That mindset has been the driving force behind Clemson’s bowl preparation as they gear up to face Penn State in New York. In a season where bowl games can sometimes feel like afterthoughts-especially with opt-outs, injuries, and the transfer portal shaking up rosters-Klubnik’s approach has been refreshingly steady.
He’s not winding down. He’s locked in.
And so is the rest of the Tigers’ locker room.
“We’re just focused on the guys that are playing. That’s what matters,” Klubnik said. “It’s still a business trip.”
That’s been the tone throughout bowl week. Sure, bowl games come with travel, distractions, and a little sightseeing on the side-but for Clemson, the focus hasn’t shifted.
The Pinstripe Bowl still means something. It’s a chance to finish the season on their terms, and Klubnik isn’t letting anything dilute that mission.
He’s been here before. And he knows how much momentum a strong finish can generate.
“Looking back to what we did two years ago, that streak catapulted us into last year,” Klubnik said. “I want to finish well for the guys coming back and for the guys that are done.”
That kind of leadership matters-especially in a game where some teams treat December matchups as exhibitions. For Clemson, this is about more than the scoreboard.
It’s about identity. It’s about culture.
And for the younger players stepping into bigger roles next year, it’s about setting the tone.
Now, if you’re just looking at the stat sheet, Klubnik’s 2025 numbers might not jump off the page: 2,750 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 62.9 QBR. Solid, but not headline-grabbing.
But stats don’t always tell the full story. Klubnik’s season has been defined as much by what he’s endured as what he’s produced.
“I don’t think people understand what I’ve been through physically,” he said. “This year was tougher. My mentality has always been to chew it and keep going.”
That toughness has been visible in the small things-like practicing without sleeves in freezing conditions to simulate game-day feel. It’s the kind of edge that doesn’t show up in the box score but resonates in the huddle. And now, with a little time to heal, Klubnik is feeling like himself again.
“I love football. I want to play,” he said, when asked if opting out was ever on the table. “There was never a question for me.”
That’s not just talk. That’s a quarterback who wants to finish what he started-and do it alongside the teammates he’s battled with all season.
Even with roster changes and the usual bowl-season uncertainty, Klubnik isn’t flinching. He’s confident in the group that’s suiting up in New York.
“One guy goes down, another steps up-that’s football,” he said. “I feel totally confident.”
That next-man-up mentality has defined Clemson’s offense all year. And it’s not just about this game-it’s about building for the future. Klubnik made sure to highlight freshman quarterback Chris Denson, who’s been soaking up every rep and showing signs of what’s to come.
“He’s taken advantage of learning, attacking every day,” Klubnik said. “He’s going to be a great player and a great leader.”
But for now, this is still Klubnik’s team. And this game, the Pinstripe Bowl, is one more chance to lead them-one more time to take the field with the guys he’s grown up with in this program.
“I’ve got almost a month to heal up and get to play with my best friends one more time,” he said.
That’s what this game is about. Not just the win, but the moment. The chance to finish strong, to compete one more time, and to walk off the field knowing they gave everything they had.
One more game. One more opportunity. And for Cade Klubnik and the Clemson Tigers, it still matters.