WINSTON-SALEM – Even though Cade Klubnik and the No. 10 Clemson Tigers were down a few receivers Saturday, they threw the ball.

Seven of the first 10 plays in Saturday's 49-14 win over Wake Forest were passing plays, and while the offense failed to score on its first two possessions, that aggressiveness set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

Klubnik completed 31 of 41 for 309 yards and three touchdowns before being taken out of the game about halfway through the fourth quarter. Even more impressive is the fact that the Clemson offense was able to operate without freshman wideout Bryant Wesco, who missed the game after suffering an ankle injury in last week's win over Florida State.

The freshman receiver has developed into a big-play specialist in the first half of the season, averaging more than 23 yards per reception with two touchdowns. The Tigers were also without Tyler Brown on Saturday, who has only played sparingly due to his own ankle injury.

“Make this team a word and it would be resilient,” Klubnik said after the win. “We are resilient in everything we do.”

Without Wesco, the offense seemed to have no chance. Klubnik was masterful at distributing the ball and making passes to ten different receivers. Jake Bringinstool had seven catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Troy Stellato stepped up and had six catches, one shy of his career high. His 72 receiving yards set a new career high and he also caught his first touchdown of the season.

Adam Randall returned to the field after undergoing foot surgery just a few weeks ago and had three catches for 19 yards while also catching his second touchdown pass of the season. Tink Kelley even got in on the action, catching the first three passes of his Clemson career. And of course, Antonio Williams continues to do what he does: catching six balls for 69 yards and a touchdown.

The game was another example of how big the Clemson wide receiver room was in 2024.

“Coach Grish does an incredible job preparing every week,” Klubnik said. “That’s what’s really special. One goes down and we have two others who can jump in and do the same thing. And that’s what’s really great.”

Part of what makes this group of receivers so good is the unselfishness in the room. They all pull for each other and that has at least partially led to some success in the first six games of the season. And if disaster strikes and one of these receivers goes down with an injury, one will be ready to fill that void. Something this Clemson program simply hasn't had in recent seasons.

“It’s what I enjoy,” Klubnik added. “Just really proud of the guys and the way they prepare every week. Quite consciously. Because it really is a next man up. Especially during a long season like we’re going to have, and you have to have that.”

A limited number of signed replica street signs by Cade Klubnik are available! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or buy online!