NEW YORK – Penn State (6-6) will conclude a turbulent 2025 season in the Big Apple, facing the Clemson Tigers (7-5) in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, December 27, at 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
Matchup at a Glance
This marks only the second all-time meeting between the two historic programs. Their only previous encounter was in the 1988 Citrus Bowl. For Penn State, it is a return to the Pinstripe Bowl, where they defeated Boston College in overtime in 2014.
Coaching Situation
While Matt Campbell has begun his tenure as head coach, Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the bowl game. Smith, who guided the team to a 3-3 record down the stretch to secure bowl eligibility, will lead the staff one final time before transitioning to his permanent role as Associate Head Coach.
Roster Updates & Opt-Outs
The Nittany Lions will be without several key starters who have declared for the NFL Draft:
- Nicholas Singleton (RB): The star running back will travel with the team but will not play.
- Vega Ioane (OL): The starting guard has opted out.
- Zakee Wheatley (S): The veteran safety has also played his final collegiate snap.
- Zane Durant (DT): Previously announced his opt-out earlier in December.
Despite the losses, the game provides an opportunity for younger players to showcase their talent ahead of the 2026 season.
The Opponent: Clemson
Clemson, led by Dabo Swinney, enters the game at 7-5. It has been a challenging year for the Tigers, but they remain a dangerous opponent with a talented roster. The matchup in Yankee Stadium presents a unique atmosphere for two brands looking to build momentum into the offseason.
Hindsight Analysis: The Mismatch
Looking back at the 22-10 victory, the decisive factor was clearly Clemson’s inability to stop the run—a flaw that plagued them all season (ranked 85th nationally).
- The Blueprint: Penn State holding Clemson to 46 rushing yards wasn’t an accident; it was a schematic dismantling of a defensive front that had “unmitigated disaster” moments against gap schemes in 2024.
- The Result: This weakness allowed Penn State to control the clock and keep Cade Klubnik off the field, a strategy that Terry Smith executed to perfection.