At a Glance
- Penn State defeats Clemson 22-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl.
- Ethan Grunkemeyer throws a career-high 262 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- A 73-yard strike to Trebor Pena gives the Nittany Lions a 15-3 lead early in the fourth.
- Why it matters: It marks Penn State’s first bowl win under interim coach Terry Smith and sets a new record for the quarterback.
In frigid Yankee Stadium, Penn State routed Clemson 22-10, with quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer delivering a career-best performance amid snowfall and wind chills that dropped to 19 °F.
Game Highlights
Grunkemeyer completed 23 of 34 passes, setting career bests for completions and attempts, while Trebor Pena hauled in five catches for 100 yards, earning MVP honors.
- 73-yard touchdown pass to Trebor Pena
- 35-yard throw to Devonte Ross
- 11-yard toss to Andrew Rappleyea
- Three field goals by Ryan Barker (22, 48, and 43 yards)
Coaching and Player Notes
Interim coach Terry Smith praised Grunkemeyer.
Terry Smith said:
> “Every game he got better. This was his best game.”
Clemson’s Cade Klubnik finished 22-39, 193 yards, 4 sacks, and 8 passes broken up.
Dabo Swinney said:
> “Just too many missed opportunities and it’s hard to win those games.”
| Metric | Penn State | Clemson |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 22 | 10 |
| QB Yards | 262 | 193 |
| Touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
| Field Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Sacks | 0 | 4 |
| Pass Completions | 23/34 | 22/39 |
The win ends Penn State’s final four games under Smith, who will be succeeded by Matt Campbell. Clemson’s four-game streak is halted, and the Tigers are held to their fewest bowl points since 1999.
Key Takeaways
- Grunkemeyer’s career-high 262 yards and two touchdowns.
- Trebor Pena’s 100-yard game and MVP performance.
- Frigid conditions and snowfall impacted play.
With the Nittany Lions moving into the Matt Campbell era next season, the victory provides a bright start for the program amid a challenging bowl season.
