Penn State Tops Clemson 22-10 in Snowy Pinstripe Bowl

On Dec. 27, 2025, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, Penn State closed out its turbulent season with a 22-10 victory over Clemson in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, a snowy, low-scoring affair that tipped in the Nittany Lions' favor late in the fourth quarter. Redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for a career-high 262 yards and two touchdowns, Trebor Peña hauled in a 73-yard scoring strike and earned game MVP honors, and kicker Ryan Barker accounted for nine points with three field goals as Penn State outgained Clemson 397 to 236 in total yards.

Game overview

The teams played a defensive, mistake-light game in frigid conditions, with kickoff at 28 degrees and a wind chill near 19, after an overnight snowstorm left drifts along the outfield. For much of the afternoon scoring was scarce, both coaches wrestling with personnel gaps and missed opportunities, until Penn State broke the game open with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives. The final score, 22-10, tightened the programs' brief head-to-head ledger to an even split, after Clemson's 35-10 win in the 1988 Citrus Bowl.

Key plays and turning points

"A tremendous effort, team effort," Penn State interim coach Terry Smith said after the game, praising his players for finishing strong and noting the performance of several younger contributors.

Scoring summary (compact)

```text
1st Q 8:32 PSU, Ryan Barker 22 yd FG, PSU 3-0
2nd Q 0:56 CLEM, Nolan Hauser 48 yd FG, 3-3
2nd Q 0:00 PSU, Ryan Barker 48 yd FG, PSU 6-3
4th Q 12:51 PSU, Trebor Peña 73 yd pass from E. Grunkemeyer (2-pt run failed), PSU 15-3
4th Q 8:47 CLEM, Adam Randall 2 yd run (Hauser kick), PSU 15-10
4th Q 4:56 PSU, Andrew Rappleyea 11 yd pass from E. Grunkemeyer (Barker kick), PSU 22-10
```

Standout performances

Penn State

• Ethan Grunkemeyer, 23-of-34, 262 yards, 2 TDs — completed what would be the best passing game of his young career, delivering two fourth-quarter strikes that decided the outcome.
• Trebor Peña, 5 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD — big-play threat who turned a mid-fourth quarter call into a game-defining 73-yard touchdown.
• Quinton Martin Jr., 20 carries, 101 yards — with the program's top backs unavailable, Martin produced Penn State's first 100-yard rushing game from a non-starter.
• Penn State defense — 4 sacks, multiple tackles for loss, and held Clemson to 43 rushing yards, stifling the Tigers' ground game.

Clemson

• T. J. Moore, 6 catches, 83 yards — Clemson's most consistent receiving option on a day when the passing game struggled.
• Adam Randall, short-yardage TD to trim the deficit, but the Tigers finished with 236 total yards and were hindered by protection breakdowns.
• Cade Klubnik, 22-of-39, 193 yards — the senior quarterback started his final collegiate game and faced heavy pressure, taking multiple sacks.

Coaches, context and immediate aftermath

Penn State entered the bowl under an interim staff after a midseason coaching change, and interim coach Terry Smith closed the season on a four-game win streak. The program will welcome Matt Campbell as its next head coach, and Smith indicated he would support the transition. On Clemson's side, the loss ended a season of flashes and inconsistency, and coach Dabo Swinney and his staff now face familiar offseason questions about roster turnover, development and scheme adjustments.

Both programs also contended with player absences, a common theme of modern bowl weeks, as a number of upperclassmen opted out or were unavailable due to injury or transfers, creating opportunities for younger players to step forward.

Multiple viewpoints and analysis

• From Penn State's perspective, the win validated the depth of the roster and the ability of younger players to rise in a difficult environment, giving momentum to the incoming coaching staff and a foundation to build on.
• From Clemson's perspective, the loss exposed protection issues and a lack of consistent production from skill positions in a game where margins were thin, prompting questions about evaluation in the offseason and how to replace departing leaders.
• Neutral watchers saw the Pinstripe Bowl as emblematic of the modern college football bowl season, a mixture of meaningful moments and widespread roster churn, with weather and preparation often dictating outcomes as much as Xs and Os.

Broader significance

• The game tied the all-time series between the two schools, which had met only once previously, in the 1988 Citrus Bowl.
• For Penn State, the game ended a chaotic season on a positive note, while providing a preview of younger contributors who could matter under the new coaching regime.
• For Clemson, the bowl served as an inflection point for evaluation, as the Tigers face offseason turnover and the task of reloading after a season that fell short of earlier expectations.

What to watch next

• Penn State's quarterback battle and offensive alignment under Matt Campbell, and whether Grunkemeyer or another signal caller will lead the offense in 2026.
• Clemson's offseason decisions, including how the program replaces leaders and addresses protection and situational execution.

Bullet points, quick takeaways

• Penn State wins, 22-10, in the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
• Ethan Grunkemeyer: 262 yards, 2 TDs, game MVP-caliber performance.
• Trebor Peña: 73-yard touchdown, five catches, 100 yards, named Pinstripe Bowl MVP.
• Cold weather and snow factored into game planning, with both teams playing conservatively early.

Final note

This game was less about a single breakout star and more about situational execution, depth and timing. Penn State finished the year with the psychological boost of a bowl victory, while Clemson walks away with clear offseason questions to answer, both programs confronting change as the college football landscape continues to evolve.