Penn State Reportedly Set To Play In Pinstripe Bowl This Winter
Penn State fans, dust off your heavy coats and maybe grab a slice of thin-crust pizza while you’re at it. It looks like Penn State is trading the idyllic hills of “Happy Valley” for the concrete jungle of the Bronx.
According to multiple reports, including chatter from On3 and confirmations from CBS Sports, the Nittany Lions are headed back to Yankee Stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, December 27. Kickoff is slated for high noon on ABC. While the official word drops on Selection Sunday, all signs point to a holiday trip to the “Big Apple.”
A Familiar Postseason Haunt
If this feels like déjà vu, that’s because it is. This isn’t Penn State’s first rodeo, or rather, inning, in the Bronx. Fans with good memories (and perhaps elevated blood pressure) will recall the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl. That game was an absolute nail-biter against Boston College in James Franklin’s debut season, ending in a 31-30 overtime victory thanks to a Sam Ficken extra point that barely snuck through.
This time around, the stakes feel a little different. Coming off a rollercoaster 6-6 season that saw the exit of Franklin and the recent hiring of Matt Campbell, the program is in a state of transition. It’s a far cry from the Rose and Peach Bowls of recent years, but for a team that battled to become bowl-eligible with three straight wins to close the season, this game represents a chance to exhale and finish strong.
Who’s The Opposition?
Here is where the rumor mill gets fun. The Pinstripe Bowl features an ACC tie-in, meaning Penn State will face an Atlantic Coast foe. The internet detectives are buzzing about a potential matchup with Clemson.
Yes, that Clemson. Like the Lions, the Tigers started the year with College Football Playoff dreams only to wake up in a nightmare, stumbling to a 7-5 finish. A matchup between two underachieving powerhouses trying to salvage some pride? That’s practically scripted for television. Other whispers suggest Pitt might be in the mix, but let’s be honest—Clemson seems the more likely (and chaotic) dance partner.
A Roster In Flux
The big question mark hovering over Yankee Stadium isn’t just the opponent; it’s who will actually suit up for Penn State. With Campbell just stepping in as head coach and Terry Smith likely running the show for the bowl, the roster is in a weird limbo.
We know seniors like QB Ethan Grunkemeyer and Linebacker Amare Campbell have voiced their desire to play one last time for the Blue and White. “That’s really what I do it for,” Grunkemeyer said after the Rutgers win.
However, with the transfer portal looming and NFL Draft prep beginning, don’t be surprised if the sideline looks a little different. But for the players who stick around, a win in NYC would be a sweet way to close the book on a tumultuous 2025.
