Clemson Needs to Find a Spark Against Duke

Cade Klubnik’s status

The status of Cade Klubnik will have a huge effect on this game. In the game against SMU, the senior quarterback sat out for the first time after 34 straight starts. This came as a result of an ankle injury Klubnik suffered the week prior against Boston College. Before the injury, Klubnik seemed to have finally found his groove against the Eagles and North Carolina. In those two games, Klubnik completed a combined 81% of his passes for 534 yards and five touchdowns. Within the building, the hope is that resting against SMU and having extended recovery time with the bye week will get Klubnik back on the field this weekend. According to Swinney, Klubnik is trending in the right direction and is expected to play. This is a game Klubnik will surely not want to miss. The Duke game in 2023 was his first game as the full-time starting quarterback for Clemson. It was not Klubnik’s best performance, as he completed 62.8% of his passes for 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. In addition to that interception, Klubnik also fumbled the ball in the red zone. Even if Klubnik can’t go, Christopher Vizzina showed he can step up if needed. Vizzina threw for 300+ yards and three touchdowns against SMU in his first-ever start. If Klubnik can go, he will be looking to get a little revenge on the team that ruined his coming-out party.

Clemson vs Duke History

Clemson and Duke will meet for the 56th time this weekend. The Tigers lead the series with a 37-17-1 overall record. The Blue Devils won the first-ever meeting between these programs in 1934, 20-6. They also won the last matchup between these teams, 28-7 at home in Durham. This year’s game will take place at Memorial Stadium. Clemson has won 15 straight at home against Duke. The last time Duke won in Clemson was in 1980. The last game in Memorial Stadium was won by Clemson, 35-6, in 2018. The Tigers are going to need to find a way to play like that 2018 team to get their win back from 2023.

How the Tigers Fend Off the Devils

If Clemson wants to get its 16th straight home win against Duke, the defense needs to step up big time. The defensive line especially needs a great performance. They need to be able to get pressure on Mensah with just four rushers. Clemson’s defensive backs have shown that they aren’t able to play a ton of man coverage. The Blue Devils have too many weapons on the outside for the Tigers to play them one-on-one. Mensah is also great at recognizing and exploiting man coverage. The front four has to put pressure on Mensah themselves to allow the back end to cover. It will also be beneficial for the Tigers to put Duke behind the sticks on early downs as much as possible. The Blue Devils like to get to the line and snap the ball fast when they’re in rhythm. Putting them off schedule will slow down the no-huddle attack. On offense, much like against SMU, the Tigers have to take what the defense gives them. The second and third-level defenders for the Devils are fast to the ball and make tackles. They will give up big plays, though, because they react so quickly to the run and step to the box. The Duke secondary is also not great overall in coverage. Whether Klubnik or Vizzina starts, they need to be ready to take shots downfield. The run game can’t be abandoned, though, because that is what will keep the secondary’s eyes in the backfield. Also, the Duke defensive line lacks depth. So, the ability to run the ball will become crucial late in the game. Overall, the Tigers need to play worry-free, with a ton of energy. The pressure of winning championships is gone for the year. This season is now more about finding a spark that can get this program back to its winning ways. Main Photo: Eric Canha-Imagn Images