Clemson Set for Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl Showdown Against Penn State at Yankee Stadium
Clemson football is headed to the Bronx. The Tigers have officially accepted their invitation to the 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, where they will take on Penn State University on Saturday, December 27. The game will kick off at 12:00 p.m. (ET) and air nationally on ABC, bringing ACC vs. Big Ten football excitement to one of baseball’s most iconic venues — Yankee Stadium.
This year’s matchup marks just the second time the two storied programs will meet. Clemson and Penn State last clashed in the 1988 Citrus Bowl, when the Tigers claimed a 35–10 victory. With nearly four decades between meetings, both teams will be looking to write a new chapter in a rare cross-conference rivalry.
A New Bowl, Familiar Territory for Clemson
Clemson’s trip to New York will be the program’s 52nd all-time bowl appearance and the 22nd under Head Coach Dabo Swinney. During his tenure, Swinney has turned the Tigers into a postseason mainstay, winning two College Football Playoff National Championships (2016, 2018) and earning four total title-game appearances.
While Clemson is no stranger to big postseason stages, this will be the Tigers’ first visit to the Pinstripe Bowl and their debut at both the current and original iterations of Yankee Stadium — adding a historic milestone to the program’s tradition-rich resume.
Penn State Looks to Make a Statement
Penn State arrives boasting even more bowl experience — the Nittany Lions will make their 57th appearance overall — but they enter this contest under unique circumstances. Interim Head Coach Terry Smith, who stepped in midseason on October 12, has guided the team to a 3–3 record since taking over. The bowl will serve as both a proving ground for Smith and a momentum-building opportunity for the program as it heads toward a new era.
This will be Penn State’s second Pinstripe Bowl appearance. They won a dramatic overtime thriller against Boston College in 2014, and by returning, the Nittany Lions become the first Big Ten program to play in the game more than once since the bowl partnered with the conference 11 years ago.
What’s on the Line
For Clemson, the matchup serves as a chance to reinforce its identity as a postseason powerhouse and set the tone for a return to championship contention in coming seasons. A win in New York would extend Swinney’s strong bowl track record and offer valuable reps for emerging stars expected to lead the Tigers forward.
Penn State, meanwhile, approaches the Pinstripe Bowl with urgency. Ending the season with a bowl victory could help stabilize the program amid leadership transition and energize the roster heading into 2026. It may also strengthen the case for continuity within the coaching staff.
Game Outlook
On paper, Clemson enters the contest with the edge in recent success and big-game experience. Swinney’s teams are familiar with the postseason spotlight and usually rise to the moment. Expect the Tigers to lean on defensive consistency and a balanced offensive attack to control tempo.
Penn State’s path to victory hinges on execution and defensive physicality. If the Nittany Lions can disrupt Clemson early and capitalize on key possessions, they have the talent to make this a competitive, back-and-forth showdown.
Both teams bring strong fanbases and national recognition to the Big Apple, and the matchup promises to deliver a postseason atmosphere worthy of Yankee Stadium’s bright lights.
