The Clemson Tigers knew the Penn State Nittany Lions would bring physicality to the Pinstripe Bowl. Now, they know they’ll face the engine that drives it.
Penn State interim coach Terry Smith confirmed during bowl week that star running back Kaytron Allen will play Saturday, solidifying the Nittany Lions’ offensive identity heading into the noon kickoff at Yankee Stadium.
Allen enters the postseason as the most prolific rusher in Penn State history, having piled up 4,180 career yards. This season, he ranks among the nation’s top 10 with 1,303 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, production that has consistently tilted game scripts in Penn State’s favor.
Clemson Knows What’s Coming
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney didn’t mince words when describing the challenge.
“Their biggest strength is they can run the ball,” Swinney said. “If you follow Penn State football, that says a lot. There have been a lot of people play there — Franco Harris, Saquon Barkley. They’ve had a lot of great ones go through there.”
Typically, Allen shares the workload with fellow senior Nicholas Singleton, but Singleton has opted out to prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft. That decision places even more emphasis on Allen as the focal point of Penn State’s offense.
Weather Could Tilt the Script
Adding to Allen’s potential impact is the setting. Snow moved through New York City late Friday, and while precipitation is expected to end before kickoff, cold temperatures and slick footing could favor a downhill rushing attack — especially against a Clemson program unaccustomed to wintry conditions in late December.
The combination of weather, venue and personnel makes a run-heavy approach the most logical path for Penn State, even with roster turnover on both sides.
Same Identity, Different Names
Despite opt-outs and lineup changes, Swinney expects the Nittany Lions to look familiar schematically.
“You just prepare for what they do,” Swinney said. “You are who you are. At this point, I don’t think they’re going to show up and run a different offense or a different defense.”
Clemson’s task, then, is simple in theory and brutal in execution: stop Allen, control the line of scrimmage and handle the elements.
Kickoff is set for noon ET, with the game airing on ABC.