The Penn State Nittany Lions will face an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team in the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl on December 27, 2023, at Yankee Stadium in New York. This confirmation comes from a source speaking to the Reading Eagle, following an initial report by Brett McMurphy of On3.
This marks the Nittany Lions’ second appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl, having previously played in the game 11 years ago when they narrowly defeated Boston College 31-30. Terry Smith, who has been serving as the interim head coach since October 12, will lead the team during this matchup. Smith has also agreed to remain with the coaching staff under incoming head coach Matt Campbell, who is set to be introduced on Monday.
Potential opponents from the ACC include strong contenders such as Clemson, Duke, Louisville, and Pitt. Notably, Clemson has never participated in the Pinstripe Bowl, while both Penn State and Clemson began the season ranked in the top five in the national polls. Duke is led by former Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, highlighting the connections between the teams. The possibility of facing Louisville is intriguing, as their head coach, Jeff Brohm, was interviewed for the Penn State job before Campbell’s appointment late Friday evening.
The Nittany Lions have not faced Pitt since 2019, adding an extra layer of interest to this matchup should they meet again in the bowl game. As the team prepares for this significant event, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Penn State will perform under the leadership of Smith and the new direction set by Campbell.
The Pinstripe Bowl is not only a prestigious opportunity for the Nittany Lions but also serves as a showcase for their resilience and determination after a challenging season that concluded with a 6-6 record. The game is anticipated to draw considerable attention, particularly with the backdrop of Yankee Stadium, famous for its rich sports history.
As December 27 approaches, the excitement builds around this matchup, with Penn State looking to make a statement in their second Pinstripe Bowl appearance.
