Nebraska

Wrestling Preview: No. 1 Penn State at No. 6 Nebraska

Published

10 months ago

January 17, 2025

Wrestling Preview: No. 1 Penn State at No. 6 Nebraska

Penn State wrestling is coming fresh off a record-tying utter domination of Michigan State, albeit with nearly half of the latter’s starting lineup not taking the mat. This week, they face a far more formidable opponent – the always tough Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are entering this matchup after a season-building win over then-#6 Minnesota (21-13). That win vaulted the Huskers back up the rankings, as they were the #9 ranked team after their first (and only) loss at the hands of Northern Iowa (24-9).

Nebraska is one of the few squads who, like Penn State, feature a ranked wrestler at every weight – but half of the Husker lineup is in the top ten, versus nine out of ten for PSU. Rankings aren’t everything, though, as the underdogs feature a number of bonafide studs who’ve had some impressive bouts in their NE careers.

It’s been five years since Penn State has wrestled in the Devaney Center, with none of the current roster having wrestled there before; the last time, a few weeks after the Lions lodged a narrow 20-18 win, the world shut down to a global pandemic. Let’s hope this year’s outcome doesn’t trigger similarly catastrophic consequences.

How To Watch

What: #1 Penn State vs #6 Nebraska*

Where: Devaney Center, Lincoln, NE

When: Friday, January 17, 9 PM EST

Audio: Free (via GoPSUSports)

Video: BTN

Lineup

#1 Penn State	WT	#6 Nebraska
#1 Penn State	WT	#6 Nebraska
#12 – Luke Lilledahl (Fr., St Charles, MO)	125	#6 – Caleb Smith (Gr.,, HIgh Point, NC)
#5 – Braeden Davis (So., Belleville, MI)	133	#16 – Jacob Van Dee (So., Union City, PA)
#3 – Beau Bartlett (Gr., Tempe, AZ)	141	#6 – Brock Hardy (Jr., Brigham City, UT)
#2 – Shayne Van Ness (So., Somerville, NJ)	149	#4 – Ridge Lovett (Sr., Post Falls, ID)
#3 – Tyler Kasak (So., Doylestown, PA) OR Alex Facundo (So., Essexville, MI)	157	#5 – Antrell Taylor (So., Millard, NE)
#1 – Mitchell Mesenbrink (So., Hartland, WI)	165	Christopher Minto (Fr., Cape Coral, FL) OR #7 – Bubba Wilson (Sr., Manhattan, KS)
#2 – Levi Haines (Jr., Arendtsville, PA)	174	#15 – Lenny Pinto (Jr., Stroudsburg, PA)
#1 – Carter Starocci (Gr., Erie, PA)	184	# 17 – Silas Allred (Jr., Anderson, IN)
#4 – Josh Barr (Fr, Davison, MI) OR Lucas Cochran (Jr., Perry UT)	197	#22 – Camden McDaniel (Fr., Circleville, OH)
#2 – Greg Kerkvliet (Gr., Grove Heights, MN)	285	#24 – Harley Andrews (So., Tuttle, OK)

125 – Match of the Meet #1

I see Lightning Luke on the same trajectory as Mitchell Mesenbrink last year, with each week having him climb up the rankings after starting off the season far too low. This week will be a big test for Lilledahl, and he’s more than up to the task; Smith is a veteran wrestler and 2024 All-American, coming into this dual having split his last two bouts (a loss to #30 Anderson of UNI, and a win over #7 Flynn of Minnesota). All the pressure is on Smith, and Luke’s got the chance to show out.

Prediction: Lilledahl by decision

Score: PSU 3, UN 0

133 LBS

Davis isn’t coming out of nowhere this season – the reigning B1G champ at 125 is on everyone’s radar. He gets his third top ranked bout this year against the Nebraska grappler that teammate Aaron Nagao pinned in the conference tournament last year – but Van Dee is confident, coming off an upset over Minnesota’s Tyler Wells. I expect one takedown to make the difference here, and that three will be Braeden’s.

Prediction: Davis by decision

Score: PSU 6, UN 0

141 LBS

Beau says he’s having the most fun wrestling this year, and who am I to discount that? This week, he takes on last year’s #3 finisher at this weight. Hardy, like Smith, has split his last two bouts (losing to #5 Happel of UNI and beating #8 Vombaur of Minnesota); it doesn’t come easier for him. The best bet on this one is a tie late into the third, if not extra wrestling, with Bartlett snagging a last-second TD and the victory.

Prediction: Bartlett by decision

Score: PSU 9, UN 0

149 LBS

Ridge Lovett was the internet’s favorite wrestler a few years ago, an exciting athlete with a high-scoring style that even the most cursory of wrestling fans would find exciting, culminating in an NCAA finals appearance as a true sophomore in 2022. We’re all used to his on-mat theatrics now, and he’s not taking anyone by surprise; neither is Shayne Van Ness, who seems better than ever coming back after last year’s medical redshirt. This one starts out close but some swipes in the third give the Nittany Lion enough points to be just shy of bonus.

Prediction: Van Ness by decision

Score: PSU 12, UN 0

157 LBS

Antrell Taylor’s another Husker who split his last two outings, losing to UNI’s #4 Downey and beating MInnesota’s #9 Askey. He’ll be a tough outing for Tyler Kasak, and the Nittany Lion’s first major test since the All-Star Classic. I’ve got a feeling that Nebraska pulls off one big upset this week, and though this one might not be big, it would definitely be an upset – one Tyler gets back in the postseason.

Prediction: Taylor by decision

Score: PSU 12, UN 3

165 LBS

Even though this is listed as an “or” in Penn State’s official match preview, that doesn’t mean one Nebraska wrestler will be decidedly easier for Mesenbrink than the other – if it weren’t for returning NCAA qualifier Wilson, MInto would likely be highly ranked as well. But this is Mitchell Mesenbrink we’re talking about, and even top ten guys will likely be fodder for him on his quest for a title this year.

Prediction: Mesenbrink by tech fall

Score: PSU 17, UN 3

174 LBS

Lenny Pinto is one of the few Huskers who is on a winning streak, beating back to back ranked wrestlers – but he’s never had to wrestle Levi Haines. This week, Levi’ll get a turn that us fans will call a pin but the refs won’t; he will get bonus, though.

Prediction: Levi by major decision

Score: PSU 21, UN 3

184 LBS

I was originally going to pick this one to be close, but then I saw the results from the last two weeks – Allred’s top ten, but he was pinned by Parker Keckeisen and majored by Minnesota’s McEnelly. Carter is the heel of college wrestling right now, and I wouldn’t be a fan of his if I didn’t recognize he’d take those results as a distinct challenge. I don’t think he’ll get quite the angle he’ll need to take Silas Allred to his back, but he’ll get enough swipes to be thisclose to a tech.

Prediction: Carter by major decision

Score: PSU 25, UN 3

197 LBS

Josh Barr had his best test in the Nittany Lions’ last road trip, and passed with flying colors. His ranking reflects that, though, and his might be the second best bet this week. He’s facing a fellow freshman, but one who’s fresh off a pair of losses. This could get bad pretty quickly.

Prediction: Barr by pin

Score: PSU 31, UN 3

285 LBS

Kerkvliet went first last week against the Spartans, and isn’t used to having to leave the anklets on the mat so accidentally left to go to the locker room with them on after his first-minute pin. That has nothing to do with this bout, but just makes me happy – and there’s not much I can say that will make this bout any closer. Andrews was tech falled by Steveson last week, and I expect similar this week, putting a capper on a successful business trip for the Lions.

Prediction: Kerk by tech fall

Score: PSU 36, UN 3

Overall score prediction: Penn State 36, Nebraska 3

*The Penn State athletic department, in its official capacity, uses Intermat’s Tournament Power Index in all its match literature; I’m using Intermat’s Dual Meet Rankings because this happens to be a dual. Penn State is #1 in both rankings; Nebraska is #6 in the dual rankings, and #4 in the tournament rankings.

Source link

Related Topics:at black diaries Featured front page nebraska No penn Penn State Wrestling Preview SHOE state wrestling

Click to comment

Nebraska

Penn State’s vets shined in the team’s romp vs. Nebraska, and so did these young Lions

Published

12 hours ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

Penn State’s vets shined in the team’s romp vs. Nebraska, and so did these young Lions

Kaytron Allen is now Penn State’s all-time leading rusher after yet another stellar performance on the ground.

Nick Singleton, Allen’s 2022 classmate and good friend, added two more touchdowns to his impressive career total, along with 95 combined rushing-receiving yards.

Singleton has amassed 53 touchdowns for PSU, tying him with Saquon Barkley for the most in program history.

Penn State’s offensive line, led by vets Vega Ioane, Nick Dawkins, Drew Shelton, Anthony Donkoh and Nolan Rucci, paved the way for the Lions’ 231 rushing yards and four rushing scores in PSU’s 37-10 steamrolling of Nebraska on Senior Night in State College.

Senior defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant combined for two sacks and two pass breakups in the contest.

The Penn State veterans came to play as the Lions improved to 5-6 in their final 2025 game at Beaver Stadium.

It was a good night for a few of the program’s gifted young players, too.

Ethan Grunkemeyer. The Lions’ redshirt freshman quarterback, in his fifth career start, completed 11 of 12 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown.

Grunkemeyer became the first Penn State quarterback to complete 90 percent of his passes on 10 or more attempts – “Grunk” was at 92 percent – since Todd Blackledge completed 10 of 11 (91 percent) passes at Syracuse in 1981.

Daryus Dixson. Penn State’s rapidly developing true freshman cornerback was a difference-maker against Nebraska, finishing with a career-high eight tackles, five of them solos.

Yvan Kemajou. The Lions’ true freshman edge rusher collected four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack against the Cornhuskers. The sack was Kemajou’s first.

Kemajou has 4.5 tackles for loss.

Penn State vs Nebraska, Nov. 22, 2025 — Penn State wide receiver Koby Howard runs after the catch during the first quarter on Nov. 22, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comJoe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Koby Howard. Penn State’s true freshman wideout delivered another explosive play on the Lions’ first touchdown drive – a 31-yard catch that positioned PSU at its 47. The Lions capped their 98-yard scoring march three plays later.

Howard, who has three explosive plays in 2025, is averaging 19.8 yards on five receptions.

Alex Tatsch. PSU’s true freshman linebacker produced a career-high five tackles, three of them solos.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Source link

Nebraska

Here are 2 ways you can watch Nebraska vs Penn State football streaming free today

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Here are 2 ways you can watch Nebraska vs Penn State football streaming free today

If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers visit the Penn State Nittany Lions as underdogs looking to knock off the resurgent home team during Week 13 of the college football season. Kickoff takes place today at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) on Saturday, November 22 with a live TV broadcast on NBC, and streaming on Peacock.

• You can watch Penn State vs. Nebraska football live for FREE with Fubo (free trial), by signing up with DIRECTV (free trial) or streaming live on Peacock for under $11/month.

What TV channel is the Nebraska vs. Penn State football game on today? Is it streaming free anywhere?

When: Kickoff takes place at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) on Saturday, November 22.

Where: Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA

TV Channel: NBC, and streaming on Peacock.

How to watch streaming live without cable: There are several options to watch this game and more football games this season.

You can watch this game live for FREE with DIRECTV (free trial) or by signing up for Fubo (free trial).
You can also sign up for Peacock ($10.99/month) to watch this game live on your TV, computer, phone or tablet with the Peacock app. Many Big Ten college football games will be streaming only on Peacock this season.
The best deal: Another great option might be to get a Sling “Season Pass” ($199) and buy an HDTV antenna. This pairing would give you nearly every channel showing college football this season.
If you already have a cable provider, use your login information to watch this game on NBC Live.

Nebraska vs. Penn State spread, latest betting odds

Point spread: PSU: -7.5 | NEB: +7.5

Over/Under: 45.5

Get promo codes, signup deals and free bets from our Oregon Betting News home page.

Source link

Nebraska

Lincoln senator slams Pillen’s push to scrap TEEOSA as Nebraska’s school funding fight escalates

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

Lincoln senator slams Pillen’s push to scrap TEEOSA as Nebraska’s school funding fight escalates

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Nebraska’s education funding has been the topic of much discussion this week, from a legislature-created commission studying the funding formula to an interim study that is in-part focusing on property tax contributions.

But a pointed statement from Gov. Jim Pillen is drawing ire from some legislators, and interest from others.

Pillen issued a statement Thursday night calling for the Unicameral to abolish TEEOSA — the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act — after a $30 million overpayment to Omaha Public Schools.

TEEOSA is the funding formula used to determine state aid, by subtracting resources from needs, and it’s been in use since the 90s. But some legislators say getting rid of it is not as simple as it might sound.

Pillen, in his statement, blamed the “deaf ears” of some in the legislature for failing to pass tax reform.

Adams senator Myron Dorn told 10/11 because of valuation increases, TEEOSA has gone a different route than originally intended.

“I believe there could be definitely easier ways. There are solutions,” Dorn said. “We’ve tried to change it over the years. We haven’t had much success. Is it too complicated? Yes, it’s complicated.”

But abolishing the program outright isn’t something Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad will support, calling the governor’s comments “bizarre” and “unhinged.”

“It would be reckless and wrong to dismantle our school funding system without a clear, viable alternative that would ensure we can meet our students’ needs and ensure that we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Conrad said.

She and Dorn clashed during an interim study hearing Thursday, where Conrad asked if protecting tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations was more important than providing property tax relief.

Part of the funding issue is a massive budget deficit, something Conrad attributed in-part to tax cuts for the wealthy pushed by Gov. Pillen and his legislative allies in 2023.

“Gov. Pillen and his allies in the Legislature pushed forward blindly to engineer Kansas-style tax cuts that are inequitable and unsustainable and that benefit the wealthiest Nebraskans and the largest corporations,” Conrad said, “at the expense of ensuring a balanced budget and our ability to take care of critical things like roads and the university health care and child care and public education in our K-12 schools.”

Dorn added he has faith in the new School Finance Review Commission.

“I think if you give them a year or two, they’re going to come up with some very good concepts, some very good ideas in how we can make the TEEOSA formula better, or maybe have a different formula,” Dorn said.

Legislators will return Jan. 7 to begin their short, 60-day second session, with the budget expected to take up most of their time.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Source link