Penn State Caps 2025 Season with Statement Win Over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl
In a cold, late-December afternoon at Yankee Stadium, Penn State closed the book on its 2025 season with a 22-10 win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl - a gritty, defense-driven victory that saw the Nittany Lions pull away late behind a breakout performance from freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and a swarming defensive front.
The win marks four straight to end the year, all under interim head coach Terry Smith, whose name echoed through the Bronx as fans chanted “Terry” in celebration. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was a testament to resilience, timely playmaking, and a defense that refused to break.
Fourth-Quarter Fireworks: Grunkemeyer Delivers
For three quarters, this was a defensive slugfest. Then the fourth quarter hit - and Grunkemeyer came alive.
With just under 13 minutes to play and Penn State clinging to a 9-3 lead, the freshman quarterback dropped a dime up the seam to wideout Trebor Peña, who broke a tackle and took it 73 yards to the house. It was the game’s first touchdown, and it cracked the lid off what had been a tense, low-scoring affair.
Peña, who didn’t record a single 20-yard game in his first five Big Ten appearances, now has seven 20-plus yard plays in his last five outings. That’s the definition of a late-season surge.
Grunkemeyer wasn’t done. On the very next drive, he engineered another scoring series, this time finding tight end Andrew Rappleyea for an 11-yard touchdown.
The drive was sparked by a 35-yard strike to Devonte Ross on third down - part of a day where Grunkemeyer went 7-for-8 on third-down throws for 147 yards and a touchdown. That’s high-level execution in pressure moments.
Rappleyea’s touchdown marked his third straight game with a score, and it gave Penn State a commanding 22-10 lead with under five minutes left.
Defense Sets the Tone
While the offense found its rhythm late, Penn State’s defense was the story throughout. The Nittany Lions held Clemson under 250 total yards and made life miserable for Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik.
Senior defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton had himself a day in his final college game, recording two sacks - including a 15-yard takedown in the second quarter that ended a Clemson drive in emphatic fashion. He finishes his career with sacks in five straight games after going six contests without one earlier in the year. That’s how you close out a season.
Safety Voube Toure also got in on the action, teaming up with Dennis-Sutton for a pair of fourth-quarter sacks that helped slam the door on Clemson’s comeback hopes. Penn State finished with a 4-2 edge in sacks, and every one of them came at key moments.
Early Field Goals Keep Penn State Afloat
Before the touchdowns came, it was kicker Ryan Barker who kept the scoreboard moving. He drilled three field goals - from 22, 48, and 43 yards - and extended his perfect streak since the season opener, when his only miss came on a blocked 50-plus yard attempt.
Barker’s second field goal came just before halftime, capping a 10-play, 48-yard drive in under a minute that included a 14-yard Quinton Martin run and a 15-yard completion to Koby Howard. That gave Penn State a 6-3 lead at the break and a bit of momentum heading into the locker room.
Quinton Martin Breaks Out
With Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton sidelined, freshman Quinton Martin stepped into the spotlight - and didn’t disappoint. He crossed the 100-yard mark on the ground and added a physical presence that helped wear down Clemson’s front seven. His burst and vision were on full display, and while he didn’t find the end zone, his impact was felt throughout.
Martin also had a two-point conversion attempt stopped short after Peña’s long touchdown, but his contributions on early-down runs helped set up manageable third-down situations for Grunkemeyer all day.
Clemson’s Lone Push Falls Short
Clemson’s only touchdown came midway through the fourth quarter, when running back Adam Randall punched it in from two yards out to cut the deficit to 15-10. The drive was methodical - 10 plays, 65 yards - and featured a key pass interference call and several short completions from Klubnik, who finished 19-of-34 for 150 yards. But it was too little, too late.
That score briefly made things interesting, but Penn State’s offense responded with Rappleyea’s touchdown minutes later, and the defense sealed the deal from there.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a game of gaudy stats or highlight-reel plays - at least not until the fourth quarter. But it was a complete team win, powered by a defense that refused to yield, a freshman quarterback who grew up in real time, and a group of playmakers who stepped up when it mattered most.
Penn State ends its season with momentum, identity, and a strong case for stability moving forward - whether that includes Terry Smith in a permanent role or not. What’s clear is that the Nittany Lions didn’t just show up in the Bronx - they finished.