Pinstripe Bowl Preview: Clemson and Penn State Set to Clash in a Battle of Redemption at Yankee Stadium
The stage is set for two proud programs looking to end turbulent seasons on a high note. On Dec. 27, Clemson and Penn State will meet in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium (noon ET, ABC), a matchup that once looked like it might happen in the College Football Playoff - not in late December in the Bronx.
Both teams opened the year with top-10 rankings and championship aspirations. Clemson came in at No. 6 in the preseason coaches poll, while Penn State sat even higher at No.
- But as the season wore on, both squads stumbled through critical losses and roster shakeups, ultimately landing at 7-5 (Clemson) and 6-6 (Penn State).
Now, they’ll square off in a bowl game that’s less about trophies and more about pride, momentum, and setting the tone for 2026.
Cade Klubnik’s Clemson Finale: A Legacy Game in the Bronx
For Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, this game is more than just another start - it’s his last in orange and white.
After taking over the reins late in 2022, Klubnik has been the face of the Tigers’ offense for three seasons. He helped deliver two ACC titles and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024. And while this season didn’t go as planned, Klubnik chose to suit up one final time instead of opting out to prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.
That decision speaks volumes. Klubnik has completed a career-best 66.6% of his passes this season, throwing for 2,750 yards, 16 touchdowns, and six interceptions over 11 games.
He’s also added four scores on the ground. It hasn’t been a perfect year, but he’s shown flashes of the poise and playmaking that once made him one of the most hyped QB recruits in the country.
He’ll try to lead Clemson to its fifth straight win to close out the season - a late surge that echoes the Tigers’ strong finish to 2023. If he can deliver one more signature performance, it could be a springboard for the next era of Clemson football.
Penn State’s Season of Swings and the Rise of Kaytron Allen
Like Clemson, Penn State’s season has been a rollercoaster. The Nittany Lions started hot with three straight wins, then dropped their next three - a skid that ultimately cost James Franklin his job. Terry Smith took over as interim head coach, and the team responded by losing three more before rallying with three straight victories to reach bowl eligibility for the fifth consecutive year.
The engine behind that late-season push? Running back Kaytron Allen.
Allen has been nothing short of electric, ranking seventh nationally in rushing yards with 1,303. He’s topped 150 yards in each of Penn State’s final three games, finding the end zone in all of them. With the quarterback situation in flux and a coaching change looming, Allen has been the steadying force for the Nittany Lions’ offense.
But Penn State won’t be at full strength in the Bronx. Several key players have opted out, including defensive tackle Zane Durant, running back Nick Singleton, safety Zakee Wheatley, and offensive lineman Vega Ioane. Cornerback Elliot Washington is also out as he plans to enter the transfer portal.
Newly hired head coach Matt Campbell, poached from Iowa State, won’t be on the sidelines for this one. So it’ll be up to Smith and the remaining staff to guide a short-handed team through one last challenge.
Clemson’s Depth Will Be Tested - Big Time
If Penn State is dealing with roster attrition, Clemson is facing a full-blown personnel crisis.
The Tigers are expected to be without 27 players due to opt-outs and injuries - including 11 starters. That list includes key offensive weapons like wide receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr., tight end Olsen Patt-Henry, and offensive linemen Walker Parks and Collin Sadler.
Defensively, it’s even more daunting. Edge rusher T.J. Parker, defensive tackles Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart, linebacker Wade Woodaz, cornerback Avieon Terrell, and safety Khalil Barnes are all sidelined.
It’s an unprecedented situation for Dabo Swinney’s program, but the Tigers believe in their depth. This game could serve as a proving ground for younger players looking to earn bigger roles in 2026 - and a chance for the coaching staff to show that Clemson’s culture of consistency still holds up, even in the face of a depleted roster.
History and Prediction: A Rare Meeting with High Stakes
Clemson and Penn State have only met once before - back in the 1988 Citrus Bowl, when the Tigers rolled to a 35-10 win.
This time around, the margin is expected to be much tighter.
Prediction: Clemson 30, Penn State 27
Expect a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. With both teams missing key defensive contributors, the offenses should have room to operate - particularly on the ground. Clemson will likely lean heavily on its rushing attack to wear down Penn State’s depleted front, while Klubnik will look to make the most of his final start with a game-winning drive.
Look for the Tigers’ defense to come up with a timely turnover late, sealing a fifth straight win and giving Clemson a much-needed jolt heading into the offseason.
Bottom Line:
This isn’t the bowl either team envisioned back in August, but it’s a meaningful one nonetheless.
For Clemson, it’s a chance to cap a frustrating season with a strong finish and send off a veteran quarterback the right way. For Penn State, it’s a moment to rally behind a star running back and show resilience in the face of change.
Two storied programs. One iconic venue. And one final shot at redemption in 2025.