Overview
- Redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for 262 yards with two fourth‑quarter touchdowns, including a 73‑yard strike to Trebor Pena, to seal the win at Yankee Stadium.
- Dani Dennis‑Sutton chose to play and delivered two sacks in his finale, helping hold Cade Klubnik to 193 passing yards in the quarterback’s last Clemson game.
- Interim coach Terry Smith finished 4-3 and called the victory the greatest moment of his life, with Penn State confirming he will remain on Matt Campbell’s staff on a new four‑year deal.
- Both teams were heavily shorthanded by injuries and opt‑outs—Penn State sat Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton and four starting linemen—while Clemson attempted a failed early fake punt that flipped field position.
- Looking ahead, the transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and Penn State notched an immediate recruiting boost with the reported flip of Virginia wideout Ben Whitver from James Madison.