Penn State vs Clemson Pinstripe Bowl Recap: Grunkemeyer, Defense, and the Matt Campbell Era Begins

Subscribe to Blue White Illustrated on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KzEcqK

Check out the site too! - https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/join/

Get 20% off and free shipping at Fanatics with our affiliate link: https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/OeZg2z

Use Code PSU20 to get 20 percent off Rhoback’s Gameday Collection: https://rhoback.com/collections/pennsylvania-state-university-licensed-collection

Want breaking news like this delivered straight to your inbox for FREE? Sign up today for the BWI breaking newsletter! You’ll also get daily updates with the top headlines of the day five times a week. Click here to sign-up! https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/newsletter/join/

The Penn State football team completed its Hollywood-esque comeback in the 2025 season with a win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday. The team finished the season 4-3 under interim head coach Terry Smith and played one of its most complete games of the season in its final performance. Today on the BWI Live Show, we’ll discuss those topics, plus preview the start of the offseason now that the team has fully transitioned into new head coach Matt Campbell’s leadership. We’ll discuss new names entering the transfer portal that may find their way to Penn State this offseason, plus discuss the situation with the coaching staff as we enter the final week of the year. 

Join the BWI Live Show today at 10 a.m. for that and more! We’ll be taking your questions and comments throughout the show as part of our rundown for today. Drop you thoughts in the live chat for a chance to have them on the show. If you can’t make the live broadcast, you can always watch us on replay on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel, or listen to the podcast version anywhere you get your podcasts. 

Penn State vs Clemson recap

We’ll start the show by discussing the offensive performance that Penn State put together under quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer in his final start of the 2025. Season. Was “Grunk” as good as it seemed? We’ll discuss the analytics and the film to discuss Grunkemeyer’s performance against the Clemson defense. 

We’ll also recap what we saw from the Penn State offensive line, tight ends, receivers, and running backs in the game against Clemson. Did any other players stand out and provide a new perspective on their skills? We’ll discuss the standout performers from the game.  

Next, we’ll flip to the defensive side of the football and discuss the team’s shutdown performance against Clemson. How were they able to stymie the Tigers’ offensive attack under senior quarterback Cade Klubnik? We’ll discuss Penn State’s plan of attack and what allowed Penn State to keep Clemson to just three points through three quarters. 

Offseason begins now

Finally, we’ll take a look at the team’s future. The transfer portal opens on Friday, and Penn State still doesn’t have a defensive coordinator. We’ll update