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Freshman QB Cade Klubnik leads Clemson past North Carolina for ACC title

AP photo by Jacob Kupferman / Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Mitchell Mayes in the first half of Saturday's ACC title game against North Carolina.
AP photo by Jacob Kupferman / Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Mitchell Mayes in the first half of Saturday's ACC title game against North Carolina. AP photo by Jacob Kupferman / Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Mitchell Mayes in the first half of Saturday's ACC title game against North Carolina.

By STEVE REED / The Associated Press 5 min read

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Clemson Tigers are back in a familiar spot: atop the Atlantic Coast Conference football world.

And they may have found a quarterback to keep them there.

Freshman Cade Klubnik came off the bench to complete 20 of 24 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown, and he also ran for a score to lead No. 10 Clemson to a 39-10 victory over No. 24 North Carolina in Saturday night’s ACC title game.

Cornerback Nate Wiggins broke up two passes in the end zone, blocked a field-goal attempt and returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown as the Tigers won their seventh ACC title in eight seasons.

Clemson (11-2, No. 9 College Football Playoff ranking) won six straight league championships from 2015 to 2020 before failing to reach the title game last season. But coach Dabo Swinney’s program rebounded in a big way inside the ACC, going 9-0 against conference foes this season to reach the Orange Bowl.