Story byZain BandoMon, December 29, 2025 at 5:29 AM UTC·2 min readPenn State interim coach Terry Smith sends passionate message after winning Pinstripe Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Penn State Nittany Lions had their football season come to an end Saturday afternoon with a 22-10 win against the Clemson Tigersin the Pinstripe Bowl to finish a rollercoaster season at 7-6. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSmith succeeded former Penn State coach James Franklin around midseason after Franklin's dismissal in State College resulted in failure to live up to their preseason College Football Playoff and national title expectations. Smith's coaching job may have been the most resilient of the entire season, having a chance to reflect on the experience before handing the keys to Matt Campbell.“We could have very well quit, but they didn’t," Smith said. "They chose another path."Smith continued, as he held back tears both on TV and while speaking to reporters after the game. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I love this group," Smith said.