Clemson’s Final Ride: Brotherhood, Grit, and a Shot at Redemption in the Pinstripe Bowl
The 2025 season didn’t go the way Clemson fans or players envisioned back in August. A 3-5 start.
A roster riddled with injuries. A fanbase full of questions.
Yet as the Tigers prepare to take the field at Yankee Stadium for the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, Dabo Swinney isn’t talking about what went wrong. He’s talking about what held them together.
“A brotherhood,” Swinney said. One word, but it’s carried this team through the storm.
Veterans Leading the Charge
If there’s been a heartbeat to this Clemson team, it’s come from the seniors - guys like quarterback Cade Klubnik, safety Tyler Venables, wideout Adam Randall, and defensive lineman Tristan Smith. They’ve been through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. And now, they’re gearing up for one last game in orange.
“This group of seniors never flinched,” Swinney said. “They’ve led all the way.”
That leadership didn’t just show up in the locker room - it showed up on the field. After bottoming out at 3-5, Clemson rattled off four straight wins to close the regular season. Swinney didn’t mince words: “The greatest turnaround team in Clemson history.”
And it wasn’t just about salvaging bowl eligibility. It was about finding purpose again. One more chance to line up together, to compete, to finish what they started.
A Bowl Trip Full of Firsts
For much of this Clemson roster, this isn’t just another bowl game - it’s their first real taste of the postseason.
Last year’s freshmen didn’t get the traditional bowl experience, playing instead in a road game as part of the expanded College Football Playoff. This year’s freshmen?
They’re brand new to the whole thing. Add in a destination like New York City, and this week has been something special.
From visiting the 9/11 Museum to ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, this trip has blended football with perspective. And then there’s the venue: Yankee Stadium.
“It’s Christmas in New York,” Swinney said. “And who gets to go on the field and play at Yankee Stadium?”
The answer: this team, this moment. Maybe even in the snow.
Snow in the Forecast, and No Fear in the Tigers
There’s a chance of snow for kickoff, but Clemson isn’t shying away from the elements - they’re embracing them.
“Why not?” Swinney said. “It would be an amazing experience.”
That mindset has defined Clemson’s approach to this bowl. With 21 players sidelined due to injuries or surgeries - and more out via opt-outs or transfers - this is a team that’s had to dig deep.
Four starting offensive linemen won’t suit up. Key players at wide receiver and on defense are out.
But instead of focusing on who’s missing, Swinney is looking at who’s stepping in.
“You’re going to see a ton of guys play who haven’t played a whole lot,” he said.
That includes young names like Juju Preston, Clark Sanderson, Chase Byrd, Parker Fulghum, and tight end Logan Brooking on offense. On the defensive side, bowl practices have accelerated the development of players like Caden Story, Darien Mayo, and Branden Strozier - all of whom are expected to take on bigger roles.
It’s a next-man-up mentality, and for these younger Tigers, it’s a chance to make a statement heading into the offseason.
The Challenge: Penn State
Standing in Clemson’s way is a physical, disciplined Penn State team - the kind of opponent that tests you from the first snap to the last.
“They’re big, strong, and physical,” Swinney said.
He pointed to Penn State’s all-time leading rusher and a powerful offensive line as keys to their ground game. On defense, it’s about confusion and chaos - the Nittany Lions disguise pressure well and bring heat from all angles. Swinney singled out No. 33 off the edge as one of the best pass rushers Clemson has faced all season.
“They’re actually similar to us,” he added. “You’ve got to be disciplined post-snap.”
This isn’t just about a bowl trophy. It’s about measuring up against one of college football’s historic programs. It’s about ending a turbulent season with a signature win.
One Last Time, Together
Whether it’s the seniors leading the charge, the young guys stepping into the spotlight, or a team embracing the cold and the chaos, Clemson’s trip to the Pinstripe Bowl is about more than football.
It’s about finishing together.
“I’m really thankful that we got one more opportunity to be together,” Swinney said.
Under the lights at Yankee Stadium, with snow possibly falling and the city buzzing with holiday energy, Clemson’s season comes down to this: one last ride, one last game, one last chance for a brotherhood to leave its mark.