Nebraska Wrestling Falls to No. 1 Penn State, but Shows Fight in Key Matchups
Nebraska wrestling ran into a buzzsaw on Friday night in the form of top-ranked Penn State, falling 26-12 in a dual that showcased both the Nittany Lions’ dominance and a few gritty performances from the Huskers. It marked Nebraska’s third straight loss, and while the final score leaned heavily in Penn State’s favor, the dual wasn’t without its bright spots - including a dramatic pin, a statement win in sudden victory, and a heavyweight battle that ended with a Husker hand raised.
Let’s break down what went down in State College and what it means for Nebraska moving forward.
Hardy Flips the Script with Third-Period Pin
If you’ve followed Brock Hardy’s season, you know it’s been a roller coaster. The senior came into Friday night ranked No. 4 at 141 pounds but had been looking to rebound after a tough stretch that included a narrow win over Iowa’s Nasir Bailey and a loss to Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez.
Against Penn State’s No. 12 Braeden Davis, things didn’t start well.
Hardy was on his heels early, surrendering a takedown just 11 seconds in and falling behind 7-2. But Hardy’s been around long enough to know how to weather a storm.
A late takedown in the second period gave him a spark, and he carried that momentum into the third.
After an early escape, Hardy locked in a cradle and turned Davis for a stunning pinfall - flipping the bout, and the energy in the building, on its head. It was a veteran move in a high-pressure moment, and it gave Nebraska six critical team points.
Adding to the drama, Davis was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the match, costing Penn State a team point when he appeared to try and trip Hardy. It didn’t change the outcome, but it underscored the emotional intensity of the bout.
Taylor Outlasts Duke in Tiebreak Thriller
At 157 pounds, junior Antrell Taylor continues to show why he’s one of the most reliable weapons in Nebraska’s lineup. Facing off against No. 3 PJ Duke - a true freshman phenom - Taylor stayed composed in a match that had its share of controversy and close calls.
Duke nearly landed a takedown in the first period, but Taylor managed to slip out of bounds and avoid giving up points. That defensive sequence led to a stall warning, but also helped shift the momentum. An unsuccessful Penn State challenge on the sequence cost the Nittany Lions a timeout, and the match headed into sudden victory tied 1-1.
Neither wrestler could break through in the extra frame, sending it to the tiebreakers. That’s where Taylor took over. He escaped quickly and controlled the mat from there, walking away with a gritty 2-1 win that kept the Huskers within striking distance heading into intermission, trailing just 10-9.
Ferrari Closes Strong at Heavyweight
AJ Ferrari has made a habit of grinding out low-scoring, tactical matches this season, and Friday was no different. The senior heavyweight, ranked No. 4, improved to 9-2 with a 2-1 decision over Penn State freshman Cole Mirasola.
This was classic Ferrari - methodical, patient, and effective. After a scoreless first period, he picked up an escape in the second, then leaned on his riding time and mat control to hold off Mirasola down the stretch.
Mirasola had a window late in the second to steal momentum, nearly scoring a takedown, but Ferrari’s edge awareness and strength allowed him to reset and avoid danger. In the third, Ferrari did just enough to maintain his lead, using similar tactics to those that earned him a win over Minnesota’s Koy Hopke earlier this year.
Other Match Highlights
The dual opened at 125 pounds, and Penn State wasted no time flexing its muscle. No. 1-ranked Luke Lilledahl overwhelmed Nebraska freshman Alan Koehler with three takedowns in the first period and cruised to a 20-4 technical fall. Koehler showed flashes with a few escapes, but Lilledahl was simply too much.
At 133, Nebraska’s Jacob Van Dee dropped his third straight bout, falling 5-1 to No. 4 Marcus Blaze. Van Dee, ranked No. 10, had a chance to tie it late but couldn’t finish a takedown against the freshman standout.
Following Hardy’s pin at 141, Chance Lamer looked poised to build on the momentum at 149. He jumped out to a 4-1 lead over No.
1 Shayne Van Ness but couldn’t hold on. Van Ness stormed back with a dominant third period, scoring multiple takedowns to win 12-5.
At 165, it was a tough outing for freshman LJ Araujo. Facing No.
1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Araujo couldn’t keep the match close and fell by tech fall, 20-5. Mesenbrink showed why he’s the reigning national champ, pushing the pace and racking up points.
174-pounder Christopher Minto gave Nebraska a glimmer of hope with a strong start against top-ranked Levi Haines. But Haines, now 15-0 on the year, pulled away late with a third-period takedown to secure an 8-5 decision.
At 184, Silas Allred couldn’t carry over the momentum from his sudden victory win last weekend. The senior was outpaced by No. 1 Rocco Welsh, who notched four takedowns and rolled to a 14-5 major decision.
The struggles continued at 197, where Camden McDanel ran into another No. 1 in Josh Barr. Barr wasted no time, scoring four takedowns in the first period alone en route to a 21-9 major decision.
What’s Next for the Huskers?
The loss drops Nebraska to 5-3 on the season, with all three defeats coming against top-tier competition. While the final score against Penn State was lopsided, the Huskers showed some fight in key matchups - and more importantly, they have a chance to regroup quickly.
Next up is a home dual against Northwestern, who sits at 3-4 on the season. That bout takes place Sunday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, with action starting at 1 p.m. CT and streaming on Big Ten Plus.
For Nebraska, it’s a chance to reset, get back in the win column, and build momentum heading into the back half of the season.