BRONX, N.Y. — In a season defined by chaos, Penn State found its most complete performance when it mattered most.
Despite missing over 30 scholarship players due to opt-outs, injuries, and the transfer portal, the Nittany Lions dominated Clemson 22-10 in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
The victory moves Penn State to 7-6 on the season and marks a perfect 4-0 finish under interim head coach Terry Smith, who took over a 3-6 squad in mid-October.
The Story of the Game
In frigid conditions at Yankee Stadium, Penn State’s “Next Man Up” mentality wasn’t just a cliché—it was the game plan.
Offensive Stars Emerge
With star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen both out, freshman Quinton Martin Jr. seized the spotlight. Martin rushed 20 times for 101 yards, providing the ground game stability the offense desperately needed.
Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer capped his promising redshirt freshman campaign with his most efficient outing yet. He completed 23 of 34 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. His performance set a new single-season school record for completion percentage (69.1%), surpassing the mark previously held by Drew Allar.
The game’s MVP, however, was receiver Trebor Peña. The veteran playmaker hauled in five catches for 100 yards, including a dazzling 73-yard touchdown reception that broke the game open in the second half.
Defense Dominates
Facing a Clemson offense led by Cade Klubnik, Penn State’s defense was suffocating. The unit recorded four sacks, with two coming from senior defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who played his final collegiate game before heading to the NFL Draft.
Analysis: The Turning Point
The game ball belongs to Trebor Peña, whose MVP performance (5 catches, 100 yards) highlighted a crucial halftime adjustment.
- Exploiting the Slot: Recognizing Clemson’s depleted secondary was aggressive in run support, play-caller Andy Kotelnicki (in his finale) isolated Peña in the slot. The result was a 73-yard touchdown that effectively broke the game open.
- Efficiency: Peña’s ability to turn short passes into explosive plays took pressure off Grunkemeyer, allowing the young QB to settle into the most efficient game of his career (69% completion rate).
Terry Smith’s Legacy
The win serves as a poetic send-off for Terry Smith. Tasked with stabilizing a program in freefall, Smith led the team to four consecutive victories to close the season.
“These kids didn’t quit,” Smith said postgame. “They fought for the jersey, they fought for each other. I couldn’t be prouder.”
What’s Next?
The Matt Campbell era officially begins now. The new head coach was in attendance but will now take full control of the program. With a verified portal window opening on January 2, Campbell will look to build on the momentum established by Smith’s interim run.