Pinstripe Bowl will offer plenty of New York firsts for Penn State, Clemson

It will be a different kind of Christmas present in New York for many of those inside Yankee Stadium.Though Penn State and Clemson will not be moving on to the College Football Playoff, the two are set to finish their season off in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec.27, and many of the players will be first-time New York visitors.It will be a gift of new experiences — celebrating the holiday in the famously feel-good holiday city and playing a bowl game inside the historic stadium.“I’ve never been, but I’m an O-lineman, I’m excited about seeing all the different food spots,” Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller said to reporters via Zoom on Wednesday as the Tigers gear up for their first game at Yankee Stadium.Freshman Rowan Byrne has been the lineman room’s go-to “tour guide” for the upcoming trip, Miller explained, and will know what is and isn’t a great New York slice as a native of Bronxville.“I’m from Ohio and came down here to South Carolina.

Up there in New York is a very different way of life from what I understand,” Miller said.“I’m excited to see things from a different lens and see a different way of life.”Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen has an added layer to his first Pinstripe Bowl as he will be playing his former team, which is undergoing major changes after the firing of James Franklin.Allen, who served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Nittany Lions in 2024, has not been to Yankee Stadium nor been in the city for the holidays.Similarly, it will be a first for Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who will be playing under center for the first time with new head coach Matt Campbell — the man behind Brock Purdy at Iowa State.“I love New York City.

I’ve been a couple of times and as a kid, kind of dreamed of living there,” Grunkemeyer said.“I’ve never been to Yankee Stadium.

I’m a big stadium guy, I like seeing all the different stadiums.So, that’ll be a cool one to cross ...