Terry Smith is ready to lead Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl: 'This group is hungry and we’re ready for this opportunity'

Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith is ready to lead the Lions for one final time in 2025 before he takes a to-be-determined role on new coach Matt Campbell’s staff. Smith and his team will take on Clemson in the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium. Kickoff is at Noon ET on ABC.

“We’re thrilled to represent Penn State in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium,” Smith said in a news release. “Playing in New York City is special, especially with so many of the greatest alumni in the world living in the tri-state area.

“Our guys have worked relentlessly all season. This is another chance to show the toughness and pride that define this program. We’ve battled through adversity, stayed together and earned the right to compete one more time as a family. This group is hungry and we’re ready for this opportunity.”

A point spread is not yet out for the game as of the time of this story’s publication. But, Penn State is likely to be favored. And, while there will absolutely be some opt outs, Smith was confident in November that plenty of players would suit up for the contest despite it being hardly where the Lions thought they would be at this time of the season back in August.

“I would anticipate that our guys are gonna play,” Smith said. “I’m sure there may be a one-off or two-off here or there, with some type of circumstance. We’ll just work through that.

“I have full anticipation that our guys are gonna play.”

What did Clemson coach Dabo Swinney say about playing Penn State in a bowl game?

Here is his statement, courtesy of BWI sister site Tiger Illustrated:

“We are super excited to accept our invitation to the Pinstripe Bowl to be able to play in historic Yankee Stadium, to have Christmas in New York and to play a historic opponent like Penn State. “I’ve been to a lot of bowls in my life as a player and coach at Alabama and as a coach at Clemson. But this is the first time in my life that I’ve had the opportunity to play in a bowl in New York City.

“I’m really excited about heading to the Big Apple. We have a lot of Clemson alumni in the area that will be pumped to see the Tigers. For our football team, it’s a great opportunity to have a great finish. Obviously we had a tough start. But we have the opportunity to win five in a row and take great momentum into the new year. We can add to our FBS record by winning a postseason game for the 15th straight year. And, reach eight wins for the 15th year in a row.

“So, there’s a lot of opportunity in this game. I’m appreciative of our players for fighting their tails off to get us to the postseason. And I’m thankful to be part of this great bowl experience in New York City.”