Rudel

NEW YORK — That virtually all of his fellow upperclassmen and NFL Draft hopefuls punched out and put themselves ahead of the team did not deter Dani Dennis-Sutton.

Penn State’s standout defensive end wanted to finish what he started.

In fact, in his mind, there never was a question.

Dennis-Sutton told interim coach Terry Smith a month ago, after the Nittany Lions’ regular season finale at Rutgers, that he would play in Penn State’s bowl game and also said, “I’m going to win the MVP.”

That bowl game turned out to be the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, and though teammate Trebor Pena earned most valuable player honors after Penn State’s 22-10 victory over Clemson, Smith didn’t mind telling the assembled media, “Dani is my MVP.”

Smith didn’t criticize the double-digit starters who practically trampled him on their way to the Lasch Building exit — “chase the next journey,” he called it — but he clearly appreciated Dennis-Sutton’s commitment to the team.

“This guy didn’t have to play today,” Smith said, pointing to No. 33. “Guys of his caliber, a lot of them walk away.”

A cold, windy day with wind chills in the 20s made it difficult for the passing game, at least until the offense got warmed up, and Dennis-Sutton’s range fueled the defense’s confidence.

His two tackles for loss and steady pressure on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik sent an early message that Penn State’s defense had packed its lunch.

The positive vibe continued throughout as the Lions kept Clemson out of the end zone for the game’s first 52 minutes.

To a man, the Penn State players said they appreciated Dennis-Sutton’s presence and felt they fed off it.

“We wouldn’t have gotten a lot of the pressure we got today if it wasn’t for him,” freshman cornerback Daryus Dixson, who broke up three passes, said. “Not throwing any shade to the older guys, but him staying committed with us the whole way … his NFL process will be heard about very soon.”

“Just having an older, established guy was big-time for us,” said redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who punctuated his 2025 season with his best game (23-of-234, 262 yards, two touchdowns, no turnovers).

The bowl season, especially for teams not in the College Football Playoff, is one of the countless problems inflicting a great sport. Stadiums are half-full. With too many players worried about their next step, either the NFL or the transfer portal, a combined 50 on both teams opted out.

Penn State, unfortunately, is not immune to the money-driven disease inflicting college football.

What started as a short RSVP list of “no thanks,” from Zane Durant, Nick Singleton, Vega Ioane and Zakee Wheatley grew to ridiculous proportions with A.J. Harris, Drew Shelton, Khalil Dinkins, Nolan Rucci, Zuriah Fisher and, surprisingly considering he was a captain, Nick Dawkins all bailing.

Some of these guys are so misled by bad advice, either from agents or their own families, that they might not even end up being drafted.

Kaytron Allen joined the group as a game-time decision and, perhaps, as Penn State’s all-time rushing leader at a position that takes a beating, he can be excused.

Dennis-Sutton, though, never considered anything but playing, even though as the game got closer, he was peppered with questions about his intentions.

With a big-picture maturity and team-leader attitude, he spelled out his logic concisely – fittingly in a stadium known for its legends. In addition to playing most of the defensive snaps, well into the fourth quarter, he appeared on special teams.

There’s no question his example helped the Nittany Lions cap a season that will be remembered for the wrong reasons — mainly James Franklin’s firing — with a four-game win streak and a 7-6 record.

“This program gave me a million opportunities so playing in the game was sort of a no brainer,” Dennis-Sutton said. “As far as my peers, I know people have different situations, whether it’s injuries or whatever it may be, so I can’t speak on why they did or didn’t, but I know for me it was a no-brainer.

“I don’t really comprehend not playing. I love Coach T, and I’m going to give everything for this program. It was an opportunity for me to go out there with my boys one last time, and it was a privilege.”

Spoken like a true MVP.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.