Grunkemeyer’s Breakout Performance Lifts Penn State Over Clemson in Chilly Pinstripe Bowl Win
Ethan Grunkemeyer picked the perfect time for his coming-out party. With the snow still piled in the corners of Yankee Stadium and the wind cutting through the Bronx at kickoff, the freshman quarterback delivered his best performance yet, throwing for a career-high 262 yards and two touchdowns to lead Penn State past Clemson, 22-10, in a frigid Pinstripe Bowl showdown.
This one wasn’t pretty - the kind of game where breath hangs in the air and every hit stings a little more. But Grunkemeyer didn’t flinch.
In just his seventh start since stepping in for the injured Drew Allar, the young quarterback looked poised beyond his years, completing 23 of 34 passes and setting personal bests in both completions and attempts. And when the moment called for a big play, he delivered - twice.
The backbreaker came early in the fourth quarter. Up 8-3 and looking for separation, Grunkemeyer uncorked a deep ball that found Trebor Pena in stride at the Penn State 44-yard line. Pena did the rest, turning on the jets and leaving Clemson safety Ricardo Jones in the dust for a 73-yard touchdown that gave the Nittany Lions a 15-3 cushion with just under 13 minutes to play.
That connection was the highlight, but Grunkemeyer wasn’t done. Later in the fourth, he hit Devonte Ross on a 35-yard strike that put Penn State deep in Clemson territory. A few plays later, he zipped an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Andrew Rappleyea to make it 22-10 and effectively seal the win.
Pena finished the day with five catches for 100 yards, showing off his speed and route-running in a breakout performance of his own.
Before the fireworks, Grunkemeyer had already helped guide Penn State into field goal range three times, setting up kicker Ryan Barker for a trio of makes - including two from 48 yards out and a chip shot from 22. In a game where points were hard to come by, Barker’s steady leg kept the Nittany Lions in control.
This win capped a strong finish to the season for Penn State, who rallied to win their final four games under interim head coach Terry Smith. Smith stepped in after James Franklin’s departure following a one-point loss to Northwestern back in October. Now, with Matt Campbell set to take over the program, the Nittany Lions head into the offseason with a little momentum and a young quarterback who just might be ready for the spotlight.
On the other side, Clemson couldn’t find much rhythm offensively. Quarterback Cade Klubnik, playing in his final collegiate game, completed 22 of 39 passes but managed just 110 yards through the air. He was under pressure all afternoon, taking four sacks and watching eight of his passes get batted away by an aggressive Penn State secondary.
The Tigers’ lone touchdown came on a short 2-yard run by Adam Randall midway through the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 15-10. But Clemson couldn’t build on it, and Penn State answered right back with the Rappleyea touchdown drive.
Clemson’s offense never got out of neutral - the ground game was especially ineffective, producing just 43 rushing yards, their second-lowest total of the season. That lack of balance made things even tougher for Klubnik, who ends his Clemson career on a sour note after helping the Tigers to a four-game win streak heading into this bowl.
Key Takeaways:
Penn State: With top back Kaytron Allen sidelined due to injury, freshman Quentin Martin stepped up in a big way. He entered the game with just 32 career rushing yards but finished with 101 yards on 20 carries. His ability to keep the chains moving helped take pressure off Grunkemeyer and provided a steady presence in the backfield.
Clemson: The Tigers’ offensive struggles were stark, especially on the ground. Their 43 rushing yards marked just the second time all season they failed to crack 50, and it showed in their inability to sustain drives. Without a consistent run game, Clemson’s offense sputtered and was held to its lowest bowl game point total since 1999.
What’s Next:
Penn State will turn the page to the Matt Campbell era next fall, opening the 2026 season at home against Marshall. With Grunkemeyer showing flashes of star potential and a young core gaining experience, there’s reason for optimism in Happy Valley.
Clemson, meanwhile, will begin the post-Klubnik era with a tough road trip to LSU. Finding a new quarterback and retooling the offense will be top priorities as the Tigers look to bounce back from a disappointing finish.