Two preseason top-5 teams look to end a disappointing season on a positive note.
Two preseason top-5 teams look to end a disappointing season on a positive note.
Penn State (6-6) vs. Clemson (7-5)
Kickoff: Noon, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
The Betting Line: Penn State +3.5 (Fanduel)
TV: ABC, Noon, Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Taylor McGregor (sideline)
Weather: A cold and cloudy day with a high of 32 and slight chance of rain/snow mix.
COACHES:
Terry Smith (Interim):
PENN STATE RECORD: 3-3, 1st Year
OVERALL RECORD: 3-3, 1st Year
VS. CLEMSON: 0-0
Dabo Swinney:
CLEMSON RECORD: 187-52, 18th Year
OVERALL RECORD: Same
VS. PENN STATE: 0-0
FUN FACTS
Ethan Grunkemeyer enters the game with the highest completion percentage (69.4%) in a single season in program history…Kaytron Allen is the 23rd player in Big Ten history with over 4,000 career rushing yards…Allen and Nicholas Singleton are the first Big Ten teammates to each score more than 13 rushing touchdowns in a season since Carlos Hyde and Braxton Miller in 2012…Penn State and Clemson have only met once previously, a 35-10 victory for the Tigers in the 1988 Citrus Bowl.
CLEMSON OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE DEFENSE
Clemson’s offense will not be hit nearly as hard with opt-outs when compared to the defense, with at least 27 Tigers out for the Pinstripe Bowl. The headline is that three-year starting quarterback Cade Klubnik will be playing in his final game for the Tigers.
Klubnik entered the season as a Heisman hopeful and potential first-overall pick. However, those dreams came crashing down after a 1-3 start that quickly dashed those lofty goals. Klubnick wasn’t completely to blame for failures on offense, but did not perform at the level to help carry the team as expected. He completed 66% of passes on the year, with 16 touchdowns to six interceptions. He also didn’t contribute as much in the ground game as expected, with just 107 rushing yards on the season – although those numbers weren’t helped with 13 sacks on the season.
Klubnik will be without Antonio Williams, who was the team’s most reliable receiver the second half of the season and finished with a team-leading 55 catches. He should still have explosive options in T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr., who will be able to challenge a short-handed Nittany Lions secondary without A.J. Harris, Elliot Washington and Zakee Wheatley. The absence of Wheatley will be most noticeable, as he was by far the most consistent playmaker in the secondary throughout the year.
Clemson will also look to rely on Adam Randall in the running game, who finished the year with two 100-plus yard rushing games to close out the regular season. At 6-2, 230 lbs., Randall is a bruising back who could wear down a shorthanded defense that will be without the best interior lineman in Zane Durant.
PENN STATE OFFENSE VS. CLEMSON DEFENSE
Clemson’s defense was hit much harder on postseason attrition between opt-outs, transfers and late season injuries. Several key players will be unavailable for the Tigers, including First Team All-ACC members defensive tackle Peter Woods and cornerback Avieon Terrell, who led the team with nine pass breakups and five forced fumbles. They will also be without standout pass rusher TJ Parker, their top safety in Khalil Barnes and linebacker Wade Woodaz, who finished second on the team with 70 tackles.
While Clemson’s front seven was the strength of the team, they will be missing quite a bit of production from the unit that finished 14th nationally in run defense and allowed 20.4 points per game, second in the ACC.
Penn State’s notable absences include running back Nicholas Singleton, who became the program’s career touchdowns leader against Rutgers in his last game as a Nittany Lion. While Kaytron Allen has not opted out of the game, it’s reasonable to assume he may have limited carries as a senior preparing for the NFL Draft. The Nittany Lions will also be without guard Vega Ioane, who is currently projected as the first interior offensive lineman to be selected in the draft.
This game could be a major opportunity for Ethan Grunkemeyer to continue his impressive growth after taking over as starting quarterback in the final six games of the season. Clemson struggled to stop the pass this season, and will now be without their best safety and cornerback, among others in the secondary. Penn State should have the services of its three starting receivers, notably Trebor Pena and Devonte Ross. True freshman Koby Howard could build on his potential after showing flashes as a deep threat, and could be a key piece of the receiving corps in 2026 if he remains with the team. Tight end Andrew Rapplyea should be a factor in the passing game after becoming more involved in the passing game with Grunkemeyer under center.
Penn State will be turning to some inexperienced running backs with Singleton sitting out and Allen likely set for an early exit. Corey Smith and Cam Wallace were both highly-touted prospects who have not seen much time behind the senior backs. The duo combined for just 11 carries in 2025, but will be set for a much larger role in 2026 depending how the off-season shakes out.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Pinstripe Bowl will feature some outstanding specialists for both teams.
Clemson’s Nolan Hauser is having an outstanding season, connecting on 16 of 19 field goal attempts with a long of 50 yards. Punter Jack Smith is averaging 42.1 yards per punt, and has placed 2 of his 45 attempts inside the 20.
Penn State’s Ryan Barker is 15 of 16 on field goals, with a long of 49 yards. His only miss on the season was the result of a blocked 50-yard attempt. Gabriel Nwosu showed his big leg in his first year as starting punter, averaging 46.1 yards per attempt.
King Mack is likely to take over kick return duties with Singleton opting out of the game.
PREDICTION
Penn State-38, Clemson-34
How do you go about predicting a game with so many new faces in the lineup for both sides? There are so many unknowns with many players seeing significant time for the first time this season. There’s enough attrition on either side to impact gameplans, and you just don’t know if either will be able to establish a run game or get a consistent pass rush like you could rely on when at full strength.
I’m expecting a high-scoring affair with two talented quarterbacks with plenty of skill players still available, while both teams will be without several key players on defense. With so much uncertainty, I’ll strike an optimistic tone and pick the Nittany Lions to wrap up a frustrating season on a high note. Grunkemeyer continues his progress with his best game yet, with Andrew Rappleyea earning game MVP with 120 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Category: General Sports
