Clemson Looks to Keep Postseason Streak Alive

Clemson has a rich bowl history, and postseason history for that matter. The Tigers head into Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State boasting the nation’s longest streak of winning at least one postseason game, either a conference championship, bowl game or College Football Playoff game.

Clemson’s 14 straight postseason victories is also an all-time college football record. The Tigers hope to keep those good vibes going at Yankee Stadium when the two teams kick off for their first meeting since the 1988 Citrus Bowl, a 35-10 Clemson victory.

The Tigers (7-5) are also 3-0 in bowl games when the game is played on December 27, which the Pinstripe will be on Saturday. Clemson beat Stanford 27-21 in the 1986 Gator Bowl, Colorado 19-10 in the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl and Kentucky in the 2009 Music City Bowl.

Clemson’s success in postseason does not stop there. It is one of only 13 programs in FBS history to appear in at least 50 bowl/CFP games all-time. The Tigers have appeared in 51 bowl games, while producing a 27-24 record. The 27 bowl wins ranks inside the top 20 all-time.

The Tigers have been bowl eligible 27 consecutive years, the third longest such streak in college football behind Georgia (29) and Bosie State (28). They have played in a bowl game or CFP game for 21 consecutive years.

Clemson’s 21-year streak dates to a 19-10 Champs Sports Bowl win against Colorado to close the 2005 season. At 21 years, the streak triples Clemson’s previous longest streak, which covered seven seasons from 1985-91.

The Tigers and Nittany Lions will kick off at noon on Saturday. The game will be televised by ABC.