Penn State ends late-season surge with Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson

2025 certainly didn't go the way that Penn State fans likely thought it would, but you can't say the Nittany Lions didn't fight hard through the end of the season. 

Penn State ended its 2025 season with a 22-10 win in Saturday's Pinstripe Bowl over Clemson at Yankee Stadium. Interim head coach Terry Smith, who took over after the firing of James Franklin on Oct. 12, led PSU to three consecutive wins to clinch bowl eligibility with a 6-6 record. 

In freezing weather, Penn State's defense stifled Clemson QB Cade Klubnik, who completed only 22 of 39 passes for 193 yards and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 

Penn State fired Franklin after a 3-3 start, leading to Smith taking over for the second half of the season. The Nittany Lions suffered close losses to Iowa and Indiana before beating Michigan State, Nebraska and Rutgers to reach the six-win threshold. 

The late-season at least gives Penn State some momentum going into the offseason as former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell takes over the reins in Happy Valley. 

Clemson going in the opposite direction

That same positivity can't be found down south, where, despite winning their final four games of the regular season, Clemson and head coach Dabo Swinney are searching for answers. 

Clemson has not won a College Football Playoff game since 2019 and its run of dominance looks to be over unless Swinney can find some magic soon.