A day after a winter storm hit New York and much of the Northeast, dropping several inches of snow on Central Park, fans still drove and marched to Yankee Stadium for Penn State’s Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. And a crowd of 41,101 witnessed the Nittany Lions’ 22-10 win after a surge in the final quarter.
It was the largest Pinstripe crowd since 2014, when Penn State beat Boston College in overtime. And it was Terry Smith’s final game as interim head coach, before new head coach Matt Campbell takes over.
“It was a great ride,” Smith told reporters after the game. “I’m ready for the next chapter. I’m ready to pass the torch on to Coach Campbell. He’s an amazing individual and leader and Penn State is in great hands, and I’m ready to help him achieve greatness.”
Here’s an inside look at what it was like at Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl, from beginning to end:
Penn State and Clemson played in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Snow is piled up by home plate in Yankee Stadium before the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Quarterback Drew Allar, who is recovering from an injury, and running back Nick Singleton, who opted out of the bowl game, watch as quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer warms up for the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans brave the cold for the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans braved the cold for the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State Nittany Lions points to a few mini snowmen he made during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State Blue Band pumps up the crowd during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State cheerleaders pump up the crowd during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton points to the crowd after a play during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State interim coach Terry Smith gets a cooler of grass dumped on him by cornerback Zion Tracy after the win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (It was filled with grass because the bowl is sponsored by Bad Boy Mowers.) Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State interim coach Terry Smith gets a cooler of grass dumped on him by cornerback Zion Tracy and offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh after the win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (It was filled with grass because the bowl is sponsored by Bad Boy Mowers.) Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State interim coach Terry Smith holds up the Pinstripe Bowl trophy after the 22-10 win over Clemson at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State wide receiver Trebor Pena and interim coach Terry Smith celebrate after the win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State linebacker DaKaari Nelson holds up a “Champions” sign after the win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State Nittany Lion lays in the confetti after the win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
