Updated 5:36 p.m. Dec. 7.
Penn State’s postseason destination is set.
The Nittany Lions will play Clemson in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium, the bowl officially announced on Sunday afternoon.
“We’re thrilled to represent Penn State in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium,” interim head coach Terry Smith said in a 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, and 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.”
The Tigers finished 7-5 and 4-4 in ACC play. Both teams began as preseason top-five teams before dropping precipitously out of the rankings. The schools have one previous meeting, a 35-10 Tiger victory in the 1987 Citrus Bowl. It’ll also mark the first meeting since defensive coordinator Tom Allen left Penn State for the same role with Clemson.
The Nittany Lions have one previous appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl, a 2014 matchup against Boston College which resulted in a 31-30 win to close out James Franklin’s first season with the program. Christian Hackenberg threw for nearly 400 yards, including 140 to wide receiver Chris Godwin. The game was capped off by a 10-yard touchdown reception from Kyle Carter in overtime after Sam Ficken’s 45-yard field goal tied it near the end of regulation.
The game will mark Penn State’s fifth consecutive year competing in a bowl game and 11th time in the last 12 seasons.
It’s unclear whether newly hired head coach Matt Campbell will be involved for the game or if interim head coach Terry Smith will lead the Nittany Lions to finish the season. Regardless, there will likely be a sizable amount of opt outs for the contest as Penn State looks to finish with a winning record.
