Penn State University will face an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27, 2023, at Yankee Stadium in New York, according to a source confirmed to the Reading Eagle. This marks the Nittany Lions’ second appearance in this bowl game, following their victory over Boston College in 2012, where they triumphed 31-30.
The Nittany Lions finished the regular season with a record of 6-6. As they prepare for the bowl game, Terry Smith, who has served as interim head coach since October 12, will lead the team on the field. Smith has agreed to remain on the coaching staff under the incoming head coach, Matt Campbell, who is set to be officially introduced on Monday.
Potential Opponents and Bowl Context
Several teams from the ACC are potential opponents for Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl. These include Clemson, Duke, Louisville, and Pitt. Notably, Clemson has never participated in the Pinstripe Bowl, despite starting the season ranked among the top five teams in the polls, alongside the Nittany Lions.
Duke is led by former Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, adding another layer of intrigue to a possible matchup. Additionally, Louisville’s head coach, Jeff Brohm, was interviewed for the Penn State coaching position prior to Campbell’s hiring on Friday night. The rivalry with Pitt is another consideration, as the two teams have not faced each other since 2019.
The Pinstripe Bowl represents a significant opportunity for the Nittany Lions to cap off a challenging season. With a mix of excitement and anticipation, fans will be eager to see how Penn State performs against an ACC rival in this prestigious event.
