Cade Klubnik suffered his first loss as a starter against South Carolina.

CLEMSON – The condition of the players was grim in Clemson’s media room Saturday night.

South Carolina escaped Clemson in dramatic fashion, preventing the Tigers from earning their first home win in the rivalry since 2018.

Furthermore, an overall bid for the College Football Playoff was dashed just as quickly as Sellers made his way to the end zone (they would all later find out that they were playing for an ACC title and a CFP berth next week). . SMU).

If you ask Barrett CarterSuch losses sicken him to the core.

“I feel sick,” Carter said. “I didn’t plan for it to go like this. I just wanted to finish strong at the end of the season. The last home game here, the last game of the regular season, we just wanted to finish strong and we didn’t do that. But I would just say I feel sick.”

Carter will now finish his Clemson career 2-2 against the Gamecocks, with both home losses being heartbreaking.

To share in this sombre tone was Cade Klubnikwith his two touchdown attempts not being enough to hold off South Carolina at home.

Klubnik’s bloodshot eyes pierced the media gathered around him as the junior quarterback wore his heart on his sleeve all season.

His late interception sealed the deal for Shane Beamer’s team, but Klubnik felt the same conviction he had in Pittsburgh late in the game. Clemson made it to the 18-yard line, but it wasn’t enough to regain the lead.

“Unwavering faith,” Klubnik said. “Until the last game I knew we were still going to win. In the end it was a bad game. I just told myself, this is what you’re made of, this is what you’re made to do. I drove across the field and didn’t make it. But I’m really proud of the boys. We fought. The offensive line and the D-line were just absolutely competitive. I didn’t feel much pressure throughout the night. I think the first five or six really worked their asses off. Our receivers played so well and made so many great plays. I just have to find a way to finish it.”

Clemson’s chance to finish the season was extended late into Saturday when Syracuse beat Miami and sent the Tigers to Charlotte.

Blake Miller Little did he know at the time that Clemson’s postseason chances had become much clearer, but he hopes his positive attitude can help this group achieve a meaningful victory.

“Of course, nobody likes to lose,” Miller said. “You play this game to win games and obviously you didn’t manage to do that today, but we’re just trying to keep a positive attitude, learn from the things that didn’t go well today and the things that did we need to improve. And whatever our future holds for us in the next game, learn from the things of today and fix them.”

The mistakes against the Gamecocks were obvious, but now the Tigers have another opportunity to correct their course in the postseason.

The tone for South Carolina was certainly grim, but there will definitely be joy in another attempt at the College Football Playoff.

Clemson-SMU ACC Championship Vegas odds

Orange Crush Podcast: Clemson finds new life at ACCCG Berth after loss to Gamecocks

Syracuse head coach to Dabo Swinney: “Congratulations. I brought you in, baby!”