The top-ranked Nittany Lions defeated the No. 6-ranked Cornhuskers 26-12 on Friday night in the Bryce Jordan Center, picking up their 83rd consecutive dual win. Although the closest dual the Nittany Lions have had thus far, they secured 30 takedowns compared to Nebraska’s four.

Penn State won all but three matchups, picking up four bonus-point victories including, two technical falls and two major decisions.

The match was highlighted by multiple top-10 matchups, five of which were won by Penn State wrestlers.

How It Happened

125 Pounds

To start the event, No. 1 Luke Lilledahl faced off against Alan Koehler. The Nittany Lion struck quickly with a single-leg takedown within the first 20 seconds to take a 3-0 lead. Koehler escaped to get on the board, but Lilledahl got back to his offense and secured a second takedown. The Cornhusker escaped but was once again put to the mat in a third takedown attempt of the period by the Nittany Lion.

To start the second period, Koehler escaped, but was taken down a fourth time as Lilledahl made it 12-3 with 1:30 left in the frame. The Nittany Lion put Koehler in a devastating bow-and-arrow pinning combination but was only awarded two back points before the two landed out of bounds.

Lilledahl elected to start the period in neutral position, taking the Cornhusker down for a fifth and then eventually a sixth time to secure the 21-4 technical fall.

133 Pounds

At 133 pounds, No. 4 Marcus Blaze took on No. 10 Jacob Van Dee. After a slow start to the match, the Nittany Lion drew blood first with a 3-point takedown with 20 seconds remaining.

To start the second, Van Dee escaped quickly to cut the deficit to two. Blaze was awarded a point for his headgear being pulled, but there were no other points scored.

In the third period, Blaze escaped to make it 5-1 which ended up being the difference in the match. The Nittany Lion remains unbeaten after knocking off the former All-American.

141 Pounds

Next, No. 12 Braeden Davis wrestled No. 4 Brock Hardy at 141 pounds. The Nittany Lion came out on fire, taking the Cornhusker down within the first 10 seconds of the match. Hardy escaped but was taken down a second time to make it 6-1. Hardy escaped before the end of the period to make it 6-2.

In the second frame, Davis escaped after 30 seconds to add to his lead. The Nittany Lion was given a stall warning before a stoppage for an injury. The two wrestlers went back forth before Hardy hit a takedown to make it 7-5 as time expired in the period.

To start the third, Hardy escaped to cut the deficit to one. The Cornhusker would takedown Davis and eventually cradle him into a pin. The two would scuffle afterwards, leading to a Penn State team point being docked from the total.

149 Pounds

At 149 pounds, No. 1 Shayne Van Ness faced off against No. 18 Chance Lamer. The Cornhusker took down Van Ness to start the match; however, the Nittany Lion escaped after 20 seconds to get on the board. The two wrestlers would hand fight for the remaining time in the period.

Although Lamer escaped to start the period, Van Ness countered with a takedown to even the score.

In the third period, Van Ness escaped and hit a massive takedown to go up 8-4 with a minute remaining. Lamer escaped but was taken down a third time. The Nittany Lion won with a 12-5 decision to extend Penn State’s lead.

157 Pounds

In the final match before the intermission, No. 3 PJ Duke faced off against No. 5 Antrell Taylor. The Nittany Lion narrowly missed out on a takedown, but no points were scored for the first period.

In the second, Taylor escaped instantly to take the lead. The match went to the third period with just a one-point difference.

In the third, Duke escaped to tie the match, but no other points were scored as it went to sudden victory.

After no points were scored in sudden victory, the two wrestlers went to the rideout periods. Taylor escaped in the first to go up 2-1. Duke was unable to return the favor in the second overtime as the Nittany Lion dropped the 2-1 decision.

165 Pounds

After the break, No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink took on No. 7 LJ Araujo. Mesenbrink got to a leg instantly, finishing the takedown just a few seconds later. Araujo escaped but was taken down a second time shortly thereafter. The Nittany Lion would connect on one more takedown before the end of the first period to go up 9-3 after the first.

The two started in neutral, where Mesenbrink would capitalize with another takedown to go up 13-4.

In the third period, Mesenbrink was awarded a point for Araujo’s stalling before reversing the Cornhusker from bottom position to go up 16-4. After an escape, Mesenbrink took his opponent down once more to collect the 20-5 technical fall.

174 Pounds

Next, No. 1 Levi Haines faced off against No. 4 Christopher Minto. The Cornhusker was awarded a point after Haines pushed his opponent off the mat. The Nittany Lion was close to a takedown but was unsuccessful as the buzzer sounded.

Haines escaped to start the second but was taken down to go down 4-2. The Nittany Lion answered with a takedown of his own to take the lead 5-4 before the third period.

Minto escaped to tie the match in the third, but Haines rolled back for a second takedown, enough for an 8-6 decision victory.

184 Pounds

At 184 pounds, No. 1 Rocco Welsh wrestled No. 6 Silas Allred. The Nittany Lion got to his offense quickly with two takedowns midway through the first period.

In the second, Welsh got to a third takedown, making the match 9-3 after a minute in the second period. The Cornhusker was able to escape to cut the deficit to five before the third period.

Welsh escaped and took Allred down for the fourth time to stretch the lead to a 14-5 major decision.

197 Pounds

Next, No. 1 Josh Barr faced off against No. 9 Camden McDanel. Barr started strong with a takedown within the first minute. The Nittany Lion hit three more takedowns before the end of the first frame to take a commanding lead heading into the second.

Barr escaped and took the Cornhusker down for the fifth time in the second period.

In the third, McDanel escaped but was taken down for a sixth time along the edge of the mat. McDanel was allowed up and then took Barr down for his first takedown. Barr responded with a takedown of his own to take home the 21-9 major decision.

Heavyweight

In the final matchup of the night, No. 12 Cole Mirasola took on No. 4 AJ Ferrari. There was only hand fighting in the first period as the two wrestlers headed into the second period tied 0-0.

Ferrari escaped to take the lead after just eight seconds. Mirasola was close to a takedown but was unable to reach Ferrari’s second ankle.

In the third, Ferrari kept the Nittany Lion down for nearly the entire period, winning the match 2-1.

Whats Next?

Penn State wrestling will be back on the mat when the Nittany Lions travel to face No. 10 Michigan in Ann Arbor on Friday, February 6, at 6 p.m. The dual will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers, last year’s NCAA runner-up, is in State College to take on the unstoppable juggernaut that is the #1 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.

Penn State has won the last four NCAA titles and is currently on an 82 dual meet winning streak, the most in NCAA history. Can the Huskers even slow the Lions down, let alone stop them? We’ll find out soon!

You can watch this dual on the Big Ten Network today, January 30th, starting at 8:00PM ET, if you subscribe to a cable bundle that carries the network. Or you can just follow along with this live blog for free. You can even do both if you so desire, the choice is yours! 

Probable Lineups

125: #1 Luke Lilledahl, Penn State vs Alan Koehler/Kael Lauridsen, Nebraska

133: #6 Marcus Blaze, Penn State vs #10 Jacob Van Dee, Nebraska

141: #13 Braeden Davis, Penn State vs #3 Brock Hardy, Nebraska

149: #1 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs #13 Chance Lamer, Nebraska

157: #2 PJ Duke, Penn State vs #5 Antrell Taylor, Nebraska

165: #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State vs #7 LJ Araujo, Nebraska

174: #1 Levi Haines, Penn State vs #4 Christopher Minto, Nebraska

184: #1 Rocco Welsh, Penn State vs #6 Silas Allred, Nebraska

197: #1 Josh Barr, Penn State vs #10 Camden McDanel, Nebraska

285: #4 AJ Ferrari or Cade Ziola, Nebraska vs #9 Cole Mirasola, Penn State

Ziola was the only alternate listed in the Nebraska preview. There were no alternates listed in the Penn State preview. You can also read the preview written by our very own Jon Kozak right here, also for free.

Now that I’ve turned on BTN and seen the Big Ten Conference map commerical, I’m ready to start live blogging! 

The great Shane Sparks and Jim Gibbons on the mic for the call. Startling lineup suggests were going to have 9 ranked matchups and 7 top ten matchups. 

125: #1 Luke Lilledahl, Penn State vs Alan Koehler, Nebraska

1st period: It’s Koehler for Nebraska (pronounced KAY-lor). Lilledahl in on a shot off the whistle, he’s fighting through a whizzer and he scores in under 30 seconds. We’re in the Bryce Jordan Center so we’ve got the raised stage and rotating spotlight logos in the corners of the mat. Plus a big cat growl sound affect after the takedown. Quick escape. Koehler stops a go behind after a snap down and we get a stalemate. 3-1 Lilledahl. Soon after is another single leg and quick finish, 6-1. Escape for Koehler but a quick ankle pick and it’s 9-2 now in short time of the first. RT already over a minute. We’ll go to the second after no change in position. 

2nd period: Koehler gets a free escape to start the second. Lilledahl right back in on an attack. Hard finish and Lilledahl has a 12-3 lead. Luke working on the right leg, trying to turn with a bow and arrow. Lilledahl flips Koehler but then Koehler gets off his back and might have a reversal. Lilledahl gets to his feet, never technically relinquishes control and gets back on top eventually. 14-3 as the period expires and Lilledahl has riding time locked up.

3rd period: Koehler goes nuetral, and Lilledah; has a takedown in the first 15 seconds of the period. Quick release but Koehler is recaught and it’s a 20-4 tech-fall to start the duall for the Nittany Lions!

Luke Lilledahl, Penn State tech-falls Alan Koehler, Nebraska, 20-4

Penn State 5, Nebraska 0

133: #6 Marcus Blaze, Penn State vs #10 Jacob Van Dee, Nebraska

1st period: Van Dee from Pennsylvania and Blaze from Ohio. Solid stance as always for Blaze. Van Dee with a few fakes. Not much action half way through the period. Front head lock for Blaze but Van Dee wrestles out of it. Blaze attacks with about 45 seconds left but Van Dee defends. Another attack from Blaze and the fireman’s carry nets Blaze three points. Quick rideout and the period ends.

2nd period: Van Dee goes underneath. He’s out with little difficulty. Still 3-1 halfway through the period. Riding time is art 25 seconds for Blaze. And Van Dee gets dinged for hands to the face. I believe we heard the referree say on the broadcast that he was already warned so that’s an extra point for Blaze. Period ends in neutral, 4-1 in Blaze’s favorite. 

3rd period: Blaze takes bottom. His first and second stand attempts are thwarted but he’s free on the third. 5-1, riding time down to just 3 seconds. Van Dee needs more than a takedown, though. Blaze keeping like Gibraltar in the center of the mat. Van Dee needs to score but he can’t find an opening. Blaze drops on a leg in short time and the match ends while they’re still in a scramble. Regular decision for Blaze!

Marcus Blaze, Penn State decisions Jacob Van Dee, Nebraska, 5-1

Penn State 8, Nebraska 0

141: #13 Braeden Davis, Penn State vs #3 Brock Hardy, Nebraska

1st period: Can Hardy stop the bleeding? It’s one of the few bouts where the Huskers will be favored. Davis coming right after Hardy off the whistle. Might have Hardy in trouble! Hardy bellies out and Davis gets the first takedown. Big mat return sets the crowd off. 3-0 after an out of bounds restart and just 30 seconds of wrestling. Another mat return but then Hardy is up and out. Davis with a good head fake and he’s back on a leg. Extended scramble and Davis has his second takedown. Hardy gets mat returned again but then stands and escapes. 6-2 with a little less than a minute left in the period. The crowd is loving the action, and of course they do, they’re wrestling fans! Period ends same score, 1:09 of RT for Davis. 

2nd period: Davis takes bottom and Hardy quickly breaks him down flat. Davis builds up, sits and escapes, 7-2, 1:30 left in the period. Hardy gets hit with stalling. Both wrestlers working hard on their setups right now. Hardy changes levels, he’s in deep, he’s got a body lock but Davis has nearly recovered. Hardy keeps driving and they go out of bounds, inducing a stall call on Davis. They’ve each got a warning now. Blood time for Davis. On the restart, knee pick for Hardy, Davis counters, nearly comes around, more scrambling. Then Hardy gets a badly needed takedown and ride out to make it 7-5 going into the third. 

3rd period. Quick escape for Hardy makes it 7-6. A little more than a minute to go. Riding time not a factor. Shot by Davis, he’s got a leg but he’s extended. Hardy sits the corner, he locks up a cradle, and Davis is on his back. It’ll be big points for Hardy, and a pin! Huge fall for Brother Brock! Some extra ciriculars after the pin. Hardy taps Davis’ belly, Davis takes exception and steps to Hardy but it’s all diffused. In any event, Huskers get on the board in a big way!

And it turns out Penn State lost a team point due to Davis’ reaction. He did kind of kick Hardy a little so yeah, don’t kick even if you get some unwanted belly pats I guess. 

Brock Hardy, Nebraska pins Braeden Davis, Penn State

Penn State 7, Nebraska 6

149: #1 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State vs #13 Chance Lamer, Nebraska

1st period: Lamer gets the first takedown, but that can be dangerous on a wrestler like Van Ness, who loves a good comeback. Quick escape makes it 3-1. Blood time with 1:47 left in the first. Van Ness always attacking but Lamer’s counters could make that strategy tricky. Van Ness keeps the pressure on for the final minute of the period but no scores, no stall calls. 3-1 Lamer leads. 

2nd period: Lamer takes bottom, sits, turns and is out to make it 4-1. Van Ness clears the head and hands and he’s in deep. Powerful mat return and it’s tied 4-4. Van Ness has the bottom leg in a shallow turk and he’s looking for nearfall but Lamer bellies out. Van Ness keeps Lamer flat long enough to induce the stall call on Lamer, his first. Deep tight waist keeps Lamer from doing much and the ride out keeps it 4-4 at the break. 

3rd period: Van Ness chooses bottom. Lamer runs riding time down to 46 seconds before Van Ness escapes. Shayne leads 5-4. Van Ness moving Lamer around the mat, and then pounces on a well timed double leg. he drives Lamer to the mat and it’s 8-4. RT over a minute with less than 60 seconds to go. Escape for Lamer and now Chance in on a shot, defended by Van Ness. Beautiful level change and fast finish gives Van Ness another takedown to make it 11-5 in short time. Rideout and the RT point but it’s still a 12-5 regular decision, though also another ranked win for SVN!

Shayne Van Ness, Penn State decisions Chance Lamer, Nebraska, 12-5

Penn State 10, Nebraska 6

157: #2 PJ Duke, Penn State vs #5 Antrell Taylor, Nebraska

1st period: The marquee matchup of the evening! The true frosh phenom vs the reigning national champion! Each wrestler trades attacks, fierce handfighting right off the bat. Nice flurry as Taylor shoots, Duke drags for the go behind but Taylor pivots and defends and they’re back to neutral. Duke in deep, he’s got Taylor on one foot. Front trip nearly has the takedown but somehow Taylor defends. They continue the world class scramble until the go out of bounds. Taylor hit with a stall call and coach Manning does not like it. The crowd responds to Manning’s demonstrative arguing with a shower of boos. And now a late brick from the Penn State corner saying they saw a takedown on the replay. We’ll see what the refs see when they get another go at it. The call is confirmed, eliciting another boo shower from the crowd. The period ends 0-0. 

2nd period: