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The Clemson Tigers ended their 2025 season on a sour note.
Clemson faced the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon and was mocked on social media for a failed fake punt attempt.
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Jack Smith #89 of the Clemson Tigers reacts to a play in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Cory Knowlton/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
The Tigers attempted some trickery at the end of their first practice. Punter Jack Smith took the snap and looked to throw the ball deep. Ronan Hanafin, the intended target, was not looking at the ball when it was passed to him.
College football fans mocked Clemson over the play.
It was a tough day for the Tigers from there. Penn State led 6-3 at halftime and Clemson could only put one touchdown on the board in the second half.
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Penn State defensive end Jaylen Harvey (44) sacks Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) during the first half of the Pinstripe Bowl NCAA college football game at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The Nittany Lions scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to help win the game, 22-10.
Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer threw a 73-yard pass to Trebor Peña, then an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Andrew Rappleyea.
The redshirt freshman, who was forced to start seven games this season due to an injured Drew Allar, finished 23 of 34 with 262 passing yards. Penn State won its final three games to advance to a bowl game and finished the year winning its final four games and with a 7-6 record.
The Matt Campbell era will begin from there.
Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer (17) raises the trophy after defeating Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl NCAA college football game at Yankee Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Questions are swirling around Dabo Swinney’s future and will continue to do so after a disappointing season. Clemson won its final four regular season games to become bowl eligible. However, the Tigers were ranked No. 4 in the country to start the season.
