Penn State will compete against an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27 at Yankee Stadium in New York. This matchup was confirmed by a source to the Reading Eagle, following an initial report by Brett McMurphy of On3. The Nittany Lions, who finished the season with a record of 6-6, will be making their second appearance in this bowl game, having previously triumphed over Boston College with a score of 31-30 eleven years ago.
Coaching Developments and Potential Opponents
Terry Smith, who has been serving as the interim coach since October 12, will lead the team in the Pinstripe Bowl. He has also agreed to remain on the coaching staff under new head coach Matt Campbell, who is set to be introduced on Monday.
Among the potential ACC opponents for Penn State are Clemson, Duke, Louisville, and Pittsburgh. Notably, Clemson has never participated in the Pinstripe Bowl, while both Penn State and Pittsburgh have not faced each other since 2019. The season began with both Penn State and Clemson ranked in the top five of national polls.
Duke’s head coach, Manny Diaz, is a former defensive coordinator for Penn State, adding an interesting narrative to the matchup. Additionally, Jeff Brohm, the head coach of Louisville, was interviewed for the head coach position at Penn State prior to the hiring of Campbell on Friday night.
This upcoming bowl game offers an opportunity for Penn State to conclude its season on a high note, facing a formidable opponent while showcasing the talents of its players under new leadership.
