Clemson and Penn State are set to clash at Yankee Stadium on Saturday at noon ET. This marks the Tigers’ first-ever appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl. And this moment is clearly meaningful for head coach Dabo Swinney. But it turns out that landing that coveted invite wasn’t just about Clemson’s record or brand recognition. It required some good old-fashioned charm from the man himself.​

Clemson athletic director Graham Neff dropped the delightful bombshell during bowl week festivities. Dabo Swinney actually sang a Frank Sinatra song to Randy Levine to demonstrate the Tigers’ genuine interest in playing at Yankee Stadium. Neff didn’t specify which Sinatra tune Swinney belted out. But given the New York setting, “New York, New York” seems like the obvious choice. The gesture clearly worked, and it’s the most Dabo move imaginable.

When Clemson officially received the invitation, Swinney’s excitement was palpable and genuine. “We are super excited to accept our invitation to the Pinstripe Bowl to be able to play in historic Yankee Stadium, to have Christmas in New York, and to play a historic opponent like Penn State,” he said in a press release. 

But it was his next comment that revealed just how special this opportunity was for him: “I’ve been to a lot of bowls in my life, both as a player and coach at Alabama and as a coach at Clemson, but this is the first time in my life that I’ve had the opportunity to play in a bowl in New York City.” 

Swinney continued gushing about the opportunity. He talked about what the experience means beyond just the game itself. “I’m really excited about heading to the Big Apple. We have a lot of Clemson alumni in the area that will be pumped to see the Tigers,” he said. During bowl week press conferences, Swinney revealed he was looking forward to visiting the 9/11 memorial and the New York Stock Exchange. 

The matchup itself carries significant weight for both programs, which are trying to salvage disappointing seasons. Clemson finished 7-5 after starting 3-5. They closed with a four-game winning streak that saved their postseason streak. This marks the Tigers’ 21st consecutive bowl appearance and their 27th straight season of bowl eligibility. Penn State limped to 6-6 with a devastating late-season collapse. This is just the second all-time meeting between these programs. 

Clemson’s skeleton crew

Dabo Swinney has revealed that a staggering 27 players will be unavailable for Saturday’s matchup against Penn State. The damage is spread across every position group, with 21 players sidelined due to injuries or surgeries. The opt-outs for the NFL Draft and transfer portal departures make up the remainder. 

The offensive line has been absolutely decimated, with four starters out: Walker Parks, Brayden Jacobs, Elyjah Thurmon, and Collin Sadler. Wide receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. are also done for the season. Swinney acknowledged the harsh reality bluntly: “I think we are at a total of 21 injured guys that can’t participate due to surgery or some type of injury or whatever, and then we have a few guys that have opted out.”

Top Stories

Bill Cowher’s Strong Message to Steelers on Firing Mike Tomlin After HC’s Blunt Playoff Message

Bengals’ Cam Taylor-Britt Sentenced to Jail: Everything We Know About Charges Against Him

Pebble Beach Looks Unrecognizable as Harsh Weather Destroys Iconic Golf Course

PGA Tour Hands Veteran Pro 1-Year Ban Despite Severed LIV Golf Ties

Phil Mickelson’s LIV Golf Hope Shatters After Akshay Bhatia Decision

26-Year-Old Tennis Journalist Meets Tragic Demise After Battling Brutal Chronic Disease

But Swinney is framing the exodus as an opportunity rather than a crisis. “It’s a long list, but nobody cares,” he said during his media availability. “It’s next-man-up. I’m excited to see these guys step up and play.” With seven offensive starters missing, Clemson is essentially fielding a developmental squad. But Swinney remains laser-focused on protecting the program’s FBS-record 14-game postseason winning streak, regardless of who suits up.​​