In a gripping clash at Yankee Stadium, Penn State defeated Clemson 22-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl, showcasing a stellar performance from quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer amidst frigid conditions. The game took place in the aftermath of a snowstorm, with kickoff temperatures dropping to 28 degrees, and a wind chill making it feel as harsh as 19 degrees.
Grunkemeyer, starting for the seventh time since the injury of Drew Allar, threw for a career-high 262 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 23 of 34 attempts, setting personal bests in both completions and attempts. The highlight of his performance was a remarkable 73-yard touchdown connection with Trebor Pena early in the fourth quarter. Pena caught the pass at the Penn State 44-yard line, evaded Clemson safety Ricardo Jones, and sprinted down the left sideline, extending the Nittany Lions” lead to 15-3 with 12:51 left in the game.
The Nittany Lions” offensive strategy was effective, with Grunkemeyer”s precision passing paving the way for key plays. A 35-yard completion to Devonte Ross brought Penn State deep into Clemson territory, setting up an 11-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Rappleyea, which occurred with 4:56 remaining in the contest, solidifying the win at 22-10.
Pena was a standout performer, finishing the game with five receptions totaling 100 yards, proving to be a reliable target for Grunkemeyer. Earlier in the game, Grunkemeyer had also led the team into field goal range three times, enabling Ryan Barker to successfully kick a 22-yard field goal in the first quarter, followed by two 48-yard field goals later on. These points were crucial in helping Penn State maintain its momentum throughout the match.
The resilience of the Penn State team was evident, particularly given the challenging weather conditions and the significance of the bowl game. This victory concluded a strong season finish for the Nittany Lions, who concluded with a four-game winning streak under interim coach Terry Smith. Smith took over after a narrow loss to Northwestern and successfully guided the team to victory in its final games. Matt Campbell is set to take over as the head coach.
On the other side, Clemson struggled offensively, with quarterback Cade Klubnik facing constant pressure. In his final collegiate game, Klubnik completed 22 of 39 passes for only 110 yards and was sacked four times. The relentless defensive pressure from Penn State disrupted eight of his passes, significantly hampering Clemson”s offensive efforts. The Tigers” only touchdown came from a 2-yard run by Adam Randall with 8:47 left in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to 15-10. However, Penn State”s offense quickly regained control, ensuring their victory.
The defeat marked an end to Clemson”s four-game winning streak and was notable for the team”s lowest scoring output in a bowl game since a 10-7 loss to LSU in the 1999 Peach Bowl. This outcome underscored the strength of the Penn State defense in limiting Clemson”s offensive capabilities. The Pinstripe Bowl victory served as a testament to Penn State”s ability to overcome adversity and finish the season positively.
