Cade Klubnik breaks off 50-yard TD run as Clemson takes late lead over Pitt

Cade Klubnik has had an up-and-down career at Clemson.

On Saturday, the junior quarterback had one of his biggest plays in a Tiger uniform.

With less than a minute and a half to play in the fourth quarter and the Tigers at midfield trailing 20-17, Klubnik took the snap, briefly stepped back, and ran the football — taking it to the end zone from 50 yards out to put Clemson in front and silence the Accrisure Stadium crowd.

Here’s a look at the play, the second-longest run of his career:

CADE KLUBNIK TO THE HOUSE!! pic.twitter.com/8xF7Z85Ell

— College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) November 16, 2024

The Panthers made it to the Clemson 26 on the ensuing possession, but Nate Larnell threw an interception on 4th-and-1 to end the game.

The win improved Clemson to 8-2 (7-1 ACC) as it pulled 2 games front of idle Miami for second place in the conference. Miami ends the season with Wake Forest and Syracuse.

Klubnik finished the afternoon 27-of-41, throwing for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns vs. 0 interceptions. The touchdown run was just the second carry he was credited with for the day.

The Tigers’ ACC slate has come to an end as they host The Citadel and South Carolina at Death Valley to wrap up the regular season. They’ll wait to see what movement they’ll make in the College Football Playoff rankings after the win over the Panthers.

Sydney Hunte

Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.