BRONX, N.Y. — The 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl presents a unique challenge for Penn State. As the Nittany Lions (6-6) prepare to face the Clemson Tigers (7-5) at Yankee Stadium, the story isn’t just about the matchup on the field—it’s about who won’t be there.
In what has become a chaotic December tradition in college football, Penn State enters the postseason with a roster significantly transformed from its regular-season finale. Interim head coach Terry Smith will lead a squad missing a staggering number of contributors due to a combination of NFL Draft declarations, transfer portal entries, and injuries.
The Missing Stars
The list of absences reads like a who’s who of the 2025 season’s key playmakers:
- Drew Allar (QB): The starting quarterback remains sidelined with a season-ending injury, leaving the offense in the hands of backup Beau Pribula.
- Nick Singleton (RB): The star running back has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and will not play, opting to preserve his health for the next level.
- Vega Ioane (OL): A pillar of the offensive line, Ioane has also declared for the draft and opted out.
- Defensive Anchors: On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Zane Durant and safety Zakee Wheatley are notable opt-outs, removing veteran presence from the defense.
In total, reports indicate Penn State is without roughly 33 scholarship players for this contest.
Coaching Transition
While newly hired head coach Matt Campbell is technically on board, he will be observing from a distance as he continues to assemble his staff and hit the recruiting trail. Terry Smith, a program stalwart, takes the headset for this bowl game, tasked with rallying a patchwork roster against a Clemson program looking to finish strong.
“It’s about the guys who are here,” Smith said during bowl preparations. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our younger players to step up on a big stage at Yankee Stadium and show the future of Penn State football.”
The Matchup: Clemson Tigers
Clemson, making its first-ever Pinstripe Bowl appearance, comes in with its own set of challenges but a more intact roster than the Nittany Lions. Verified reports list Clemson as a 3-point favorite, a line that reflects the uncertainty surrounding Penn State’s available personnel.
This is only the second meeting between the two historic programs, with Clemson winning the sole previous encounter in the 1988 Citrus Bowl (35-10).
What to Watch
With Singleton out, expect a heavy workload for freshman running back Corey Smith and potentially Quinton Martin Jr., if available. For Beau Pribula, this is a distinct audition for the Matt Campbell era. His dual-threat ability will be crucial behind a shuffled offensive line missing key starters like Ioane and potential transfer Alex Birchmeier.
Kickoff is set for Noon ET on ABC. For Penn State, a win would secure a winning record in a tumultuous season and provide a spark of momentum heading into the full transition to the Campbell regime.