Penn State Edges Rutgers in Wild Finish as Terry Smith Reflects on Interim Tenure
In a game that had more twists than a Big Ten title race in November, Penn State pulled out a 40-36 win over Rutgers on Saturday, marking their third straight victory and officially punching their ticket to a bowl game. But the win came with plenty of questions still swirling around the program - particularly about what comes next.
Interim head coach Terry Smith, who stepped in during a turbulent stretch for the Nittany Lions, was candid after the game. The victory, while thrilling, had the feel of a chapter closing. “It’s been a good run for me,” Smith said, a clear nod to the uncertainty ahead as Penn State continues its search for a permanent head coach.
A Game of Highs and Lows
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a pretty win. But it was a gritty one.
Penn State’s offense came to play, and they delivered in a big way. Smith praised the unit’s ability to control the tempo, especially late in the game.
“They answered the call,” he said. “One of the things we learned tonight was how to end the game on our terms.”
Penn State’s Terry Smith brought a different energy to his postgame press conference, which he acknowledged following a 40-36 win over Rutgers. pic.twitter.com/TjwJscYRyI
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) November 30, 2025
That late-game execution was a stark contrast to earlier in the season - most notably the Indiana game - when the Nittany Lions failed to close. This time, they held the ball when it mattered most and sealed the deal.
On the other side of the ball, though, it was a different story. The defense had its hands full all night.
Missed tackles, blown coverages, and a Rutgers passing attack that looked far too comfortable for comfort. Still, when Penn State needed a play, they got one - a game-changing fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, followed by a clutch fourth-down stop that iced the game.
“It was not pretty,” Smith admitted. “But we figured out a way.”
Grunkemeyer Steps Up
One of the brightest spots from the night? Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. Smith didn’t hold back in his praise for the young signal-caller, calling him “the future of the position.”
“He’s taken great strides in getting better,” Smith said. “He works his tail off during the week.
He’s very efficient in his throws. He runs our offense.
That’s what a great quarterback does.”
Grunkemeyer’s growth has been one of the more encouraging developments for Penn State down the stretch. He’s not just managing games - he’s making winning plays, and doing it with poise beyond his years.
Defensive Concerns Remain
Despite the win, the defensive struggles can’t be ignored. Rutgers moved the ball through the air with surprising ease, and Penn State’s inability to contain big plays nearly cost them the game.
“They played horribly,” Smith said bluntly of his defense. “We just have to go back and watch the film and re-evaluate why it happened that way.”
To Rutgers’ credit, they came in with one of the top passing offenses in the Big Ten, and they showed why. Their receivers made highlight-reel catches - including one that might end up on year-end lists - and their game plan gave Penn State fits all night.
Still, Smith remained optimistic. “We’re going to get it fixed for the bowl game,” he said.
“We’ll be better. We’ll learn from that.
The beauty of it is, we made plays when we needed to make plays - and that’s how we won.”
Smith Reflects on Interim Role
For Smith, this stint as interim head coach was more than just a placeholder assignment - it was a proving ground. And he walked away from it with a deeper understanding of what it takes to lead a major college football program.
“It meant a lot. It taught me a lot,” he said.
“I know I can truly do this job. It taught me patience, the role of one of the biggest jobs in college football.”
Smith spoke about the bond he’s built with his players and how trust has been the foundation of that relationship. “I always tell my guys when I recruit them that I will give trust first.
You can trust me second. Trust is earned.”
There’s no doubt Smith left a mark during his time at the helm - and whether or not he remains in the top spot, his leadership was felt during a critical stretch for the program.
Schiano’s Rutgers Comes Up Just Short
On the other sideline, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano was left to process a gut-wrenching loss. The turning point came late in the fourth quarter, when quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis fumbled - a play that Penn State turned into the game-winning touchdown.
Schiano was quick to defend his quarterback, who has been a cornerstone of the program’s offense. “I love him,” Schiano said.
“He’s done incredible things here. Think about what he’s been able to accomplish - he’s a 3,000-yard passer.
More importantly, just to watch him grow as a leader… it’s hard. Because he’s the ultimate competitor, and he feels like he let people down.”
But Schiano wasn’t pinning the loss on one play. The Scarlet Knights struggled to stop the run all night, giving up 300 yards on the ground - a stat that made it nearly impossible to close out the win, even with some key third-down stops.
“There’s a lot of things,” Schiano said. “You could point to this play or that play.
Overall, we didn’t stop the run. And it’s hard to win football games when you can’t stop the run.”
A Painful Ending, But a Clear Vision
The loss stung, but Schiano remained steadfast in his long-term vision for Rutgers - one he’s been preaching since the early 2000s.
“I’ve said it many times - to bring championships to Rutgers, to bring Big Ten Championships to Rutgers and to bring National Championships to Rutgers,” he said. “I don’t believe there’s any reason we can’t do that here.”
He knows the road is long. He’s been on it before. And he’s not backing down now.
“Sometimes you have to look at where you started and where you restarted,” Schiano said. “But if somebody’s crazy enough to keep doing it, well, who knows - maybe we’ll just get there.”
What’s Next
Penn State heads into bowl season on a three-game win streak, but with plenty to work on - especially on defense. The coaching search looms large, and while Terry Smith’s future remains uncertain, he’s proven he can steady the ship when it matters most.
For Rutgers, the loss is another chapter in a season full of close calls and hard lessons. But with a quarterback to build around and a coach who still believes in the mission, there’s no shortage of resolve in Piscataway.
This one will sting for a while. But both teams walk away with something to build on.