CLEMSON — Though it has been 38 years since Clemson has played Penn State in football, that is not the case for everyone. There is one Tiger who is very familiar with the Nittany Lions, at least their personnel that is.
Clemson defensive end Will Heldt was a budding star at Purdue when then No. 4 Penn State routed Heldt and the Boilermakers, 49-10, on November 16, 2024.
“Obviously, they were a great team last year,” Heldt said. “They were great up front. Hard nosed team. They had a lot of dynamic tight ends and skill players.”
Quarterback Drew Allar, who will not play in the Pinstripe Bowl due to a season-ending injury earlier in the season, threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 4 Penn State to a 49-10 rout of Purdue.
Allar, who completed his first 10 passes, connected on 17 of 19 passes for the Nittany Lions in three quarters. His top target was tight end Tyler Warren, who caught eight passes for 127 yards. Warren also ran for a touchdown.
Luckly for Clemon, it does not have to worry about Warren. He is in the NFL. However, Heldt and the Tigers do have to worry about running back Kaytron Allen.
The All-Big Ten running back ranks second in the Big Ten this season with 1,303 yards. His 15 TDs are tied for first in the conference. Allen had just 20 yards for six carries against Heldt and Purdue last season.
Heldt expects to see more of Allen next Saturday, though.
“They are a talented group. They run the football really well,” he said. “One of the nation’s leading rushers, so I am excited for the opportunity for us.”
Clemson (7-5) has been pretty good at stopping the run this season. The Tigers are allowing 102.8 yards per game on the ground which ranks third in the ACC and 15th nationally.
The Nittany Lions (6-6) are averaging 177.5 yards rushing.
“Watching the film, they are really committed to the run,” Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown said. “They are going to do that in the bowl game.”
Clemson and Penn State will kick off in the Pinstripe Bowl next Saturday at noon. The game will be televised on ABC.