Clemson’s Cade Klubnik Celebrates Cooper Flagg’s Duke’s Brutal Heartbreak With a Cold-Blooded Jab

Ain’t nothing like a good old rivalry, but when Clemson’s Cade Klubnik gets involved? Oh, it hits different. Some dudes take a win and keep it pushin’. Others? They make sure the whole world and even Cooper Flagg feel every second of that L. And when a top dog like the No. 2 Blue Devils gets sent packing’ in brutal fashion, you know somebody’s gonna twist the knife. But this one? This was straight-up cold. Petty, calculated, and downright disrespectful. And Klubnik? He ain’t throwin’ passes—just haymakers.

Clemson basketball pulled a brutal heartbreak upset over No. 2 Duke, 77-71, snapping’ their 16-game win streak, and Klubnik wasted zero time rubbing’ salt in the wound—especially on Cooper Flagg’s head. First, Clemson QB1 hit the IG story with a cold-blooded jab, reposting a SportsCenter pic of Flagg laid out on the floor, Clemson celebrating’ over him, and hit it with “😤😤😤😤.” Cold. Then, like a true menace, he doubled back 30 minutes later with a simple but savage “😂😂” reposting Clemson Tigers’ post.

Clemson football OC Garrett Riley wasn’t innocent either—he switched his X profile pic to Basketball head coach Brad Brownell. Klubnik might be chasing that Heisman, but right now? He just living rent-free in Duke’s nightmares.

Duke came out swinging big time, raining threes and keeping the game clean, but Clemson? They had dogs. Viktor Lakhin straight-up carried, dropping 22 points and keeping the Tigers alive when things got shaky. Chase Hunter? Cold-blooded. Hit a clutch bucket in the final minute, then iced the game with four free throws in the last 15 seconds. Jaeden Zackery and Ian Schieffelin chipped in 12 each, with Schieffelin’s dagger three tying it up before Hunter’s go-ahead lay. Duke? Folded late.

Tyrese Proctor hopped with 23, while Flagg and Kon Knueppel put up 18 and 14, but when the moment got big, Duke went quiet—turnovers, missed shots, game over. Clemson stormed back from nine down, snatched their 19th win, and pulled right behind Duke in the ACC race. Flagg flashed, but Clemson shut the door when it mattered.

Look, Cade Klubnik might wanna chill on the celebrations—Clemson’s 2024 season wasn’t exactly all sunshine and blowouts. Yeah, they went 10-3, won the ACC title, and even made the playoffs, but let’s keep it real—they barely scraped past SMU in the championship game, needing a 56-yard bomb from Nolan Hauser just to escape 34-31. Then?

Steve Sarkisian’s Texas squad straight-up nuked ‘em, 38-24. And the worst part? Klubnik had to watch Quinn Ewers—his old high school rival—get revenge for that 2021 Texas 6A championship L. But even with that heartbreak, Klubnik’s numbers were insane—3,639 yards, 36 TDs, just 6 picks—so it’s no shocker he’s sitting near the top of the 2025 Heisman race. But while Cade’s got unfinished business on the field, his IG antics? Those got Duke fans heated right now.

Cade Klubnik’s Big 2025 season

After Clemson’s CFP run ended in heartbreak, Cade Klubnik had a decision to make—dip for the NFL or spin the block for one more year? The 2025 draft had its fair share of question marks at QB, with Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward leading the pack, but Klubnik? He could’ve slid in as a first-round sleeper after an electric 2024 season. Instead, he chose to run it back. Why?

More work to do!

He told Field Yates that Clemson’s returning firepower was too good to pass up, plus he wanted to polish his game for the league. Can’t blame him—dude just threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns against one of the nastiest defenses in college football in Texas. Even Dabo Swinney tipped his cap, calling Klubnik one of the most competitive guys he’s ever coached.

“He’s just a competitor. That kid, he’s one of the guys that spoke up in there and just talked about—he said this is the most fun he’s ever had playing football. This team, this year. Most fun he’s ever had. Pretty strong statement.” Swinney said. Now? Klubnik’s got unfinished business. He is literally ranked 3rd in Heisman odds with +1100 behind Garrett Nussmeier and Arch Manning. He’s got the stats, he’s got the weapons, and he’s got a chip on his shoulder. Clemson fans better buckle up, ‘cause QB1 ain’t done yet.