Penn State’s Braeden Davis Set to Return for Showdown Against No. 1 Ohio State
UNIVERSITY PARK - When Braeden Davis wasn’t in the lineup last Friday against Michigan, Penn State wrestling fans were left scratching their heads. But it didn’t take long for true freshman Josh Desmond to turn that surprise into excitement. Thrust into the starting role at 141 pounds, Desmond made the most of his Big Ten debut - knocking off an All-American and sparking a wave of speculation about whether he might hold onto the spot.
Not so fast.
Head coach Cael Sanderson put those questions to rest on Wednesday, confirming that Davis will be back in the lineup for Friday’s marquee dual meet against top-ranked Ohio State at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Why Davis Sat Out
“We couldn’t wrestle Davis,” Sanderson explained. “He had a skin issue.
So Desmond was ready to go. He stepped up and did a great job.”
Sanderson also clarified that the skin issue was unrelated to an earlier injury Davis suffered the previous week - a hand burn sustained in an unusual accident involving a scooter battery. That injury was visible during the Nebraska dual, where Davis was seen flexing his hand throughout the match.
Despite the setback, Davis is cleared and ready to return to the mat. And make no mistake - he’s been a force at 141 this season. The junior holds an 8-2 record and boasts an 80% bonus-point rate, good enough for a No. 12 national ranking in the weight class.
But Friday night’s opponent? That’s a whole different level.
The Mendez Matchup
Standing across from Davis will be Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez, a name that’s already well-known in Happy Valley. Nittany Lion fans will remember his battles with Beau Bartlett over the past few seasons - and this year, Mendez looks sharper than ever.
He enters the weekend with a perfect 17-0 record and a staggering bonus-point rate north of 88%. Simply put, Mendez isn’t just winning - he’s dominating.
It’s a tall task for Davis, but Sanderson isn’t shying away from the challenge. In fact, he welcomes it.
“Davis is a competitor, and I’ve said that a lot, but we have a team of competitors,” Sanderson said. “He’s going to give his best effort, and go compete hard, and he’s shown what he’s capable of. We have to keep inching along and he’s going to be ready to rock here at the end.”
What’s at Stake
For Davis, this isn’t just another dual meet. It’s a chance to test himself against arguably the best wrestler in the country - at any weight. And while he’s no stranger to big moments (he’s already got a Big Ten title at 125 and an All-American finish at 133 under his belt), this will be his biggest test yet at 141.
Penn State fans will be watching closely, not just to see how Davis fares against Mendez, but to get a glimpse of how this team is shaping up as the postseason looms. With Desmond proving he can step up when needed and Davis returning to full health, the Nittany Lions are showing the kind of depth and resilience that championship teams are built on.
Friday night at the BJC should be electric. And with Davis back in the mix, Penn State’s lineup just got a whole lot stronger.