Both teams battled frigid conditions and sub-20-degree wind chills that engulfed the New York area, but it was Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer who adjusted best.
Grunkemeyer completed 23 of 34 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns, leading Penn State to its first-ever win over Clemson, 22–10.
As both teams struggled to warm up early, Clemson attempted to catch Penn State off guard on its opening series. After forcing a three-and-out, the Tigers rolled the dice on a fake punt. Penn State wasn’t fooled, forcing an errant throw from Jack Smith and gaining advantageous field position.
Penn State capitalized on the short field, driving to the Clemson two-yard line. The Tigers’ defense stuffed Corey Smith short of the end zone, forcing the Nittany Lions to settle for a short Ryan Barker field goal to take a 3–0 lead.
Defensively, Penn State controlled much of the first half, containing Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton was a constant presence in the backfield, recording a key second-quarter sack, while linebacker Amare Campbell patrolled the middle of the field, taking away Clemson’s intermediate passing game.
Clemson briefly broke through midway through the second quarter when Klubnik stepped up in the pocket and found wide receiver TJ Moore on a broken play for a 44-yard gain. The momentum was short-lived, however, as kicker Nolan Hauser pushed a 33-yard field goal wide right, keeping Penn State ahead.
Late in the first half, Penn State’s defense again halted Clemson’s momentum when defensive end Jaylen Harvey sacked Klubnik for an eight-yard loss. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gambled once more, and this time Hauser connected on a 48-yard field goal to tie the game at 3–3.
In the final minute of the half, Penn State chose not to play conservatively. Grunkemeyer accounted for 34 of the team’s 48 yards on the drive through the air, setting up a 48-yard Barker field goal that gave Penn State a 6–3 halftime lead.
Penn State continued to lean on the passing game to open the second half, as Grunkemeyer began targeting tight end Luke Reynolds while running back Quinton Martin made his presence felt between the tackles.
After Swinney’s early aggressiveness, interim head coach Terry Smith opted to go for it on fourth down deep in Clemson territory rather than attempt Barker’s third field goal. Grunkemeyer targeted Devonte Ross in the flat, but the pass was dropped, turning the ball over on downs.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Penn State’s defense continued to pressure Klubnik, though a pass interference penalty on Audavion Collins briefly extended a Clemson drive. Still, the Nittany Lions took away most of Klubnik’s options and forced another punt.
As the third quarter wore on, Martin, receiving his most significant action of the season where he eclipsed 100 yards for the first time in his career with 20 carries and 101 rushing yards, began to wear down a frozen Clemson defense. Freshman wide receiver Koby Howard added a spark with a splash play deep into Tiger territory.
Once again, Clemson’s defense stiffened at its own 25-yard line. Smith elected to take the points, and Barker converted a 43-yard field goal, his third of the game, to put Penn State up 9–3 early in the fourth quarter.
Penn State’s defense remained dominant, forcing yet another Clemson punt. Prior to the game, Bronx native Trebor Peña said he wanted to play in the Pinstripe Bowl simply for another opportunity to play football. He was rewarded moments later when Grunkemeyer connected with him on a third-and-8 for a 73-yard touchdown, extending Penn State’s lead to 15–3. The ensuing two-point attempt failed.
Clemson responded with a drive it desperately needed, marching 65 yards on 11 plays and finishing with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Adam Randall to cut the deficit to 15–10.
Penn State answered the challenge the way it has learned to late in the season. Grunkemeyer led a composed response, passing for 55 yards on the drive and capping it with an 11-yard touchdown strike to tight end Andrew Rappleyea to seal the victory.
Attendance for the 15th annual Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium was announced at 41,101.
Penn State last faced Clemson in the 1988 Citrus Bowl. The 32 combined points marked the lowest-scoring game in Pinstripe Bowl history, eclipsing the previous low of 35 points set in the 2024 edition between Nebraska and Boston College.
