Penn State Wrestling Faces Its Biggest Test Yet: A Top-5 Showdown at Iowa
The No. 1-ranked Penn State wrestling team has been steamrolling through its 2025-26 campaign, but Friday night’s clash at Carver-Hawkeye Arena is set to be the stiffest challenge yet. The Nittany Lions travel to Iowa City to take on No. 4 Iowa in a marquee Big Ten dual that has all the makings of a classic - even if Penn State enters as the heavy favorite.
This isn't just another top-five matchup. It’s a collision of two powerhouse programs with deep history, passionate fanbases, and national championship aspirations. And while the Lions have looked nearly untouchable this season, the Hawkeyes are always a threat - especially at home in the raucous Carver-Hawkeye environment.
The Streak That Started With a Loss
Penn State’s current 78-match win streak - now the longest in both Division I and NCAA wrestling history - began in the wake of a narrow loss to Iowa back on January 31, 2020. Since then, the Lions have turned dominance into an art form, shutting out three straight opponents heading into this dual and rarely showing signs of vulnerability.
This year’s squad might be the deepest and most balanced of the Cael Sanderson era - and that’s saying something. Eight of the ten projected starters are ranked in the top five nationally. That’s not depth; that’s a tidal wave.
Iowa’s Uphill Battle
The Hawkeyes come into the matchup at 6-2, but they’ll be without one of their key contributors at 197 pounds, as Massoma Endene is no longer with the team. That opens up a significant opportunity for Penn State at a weight class where they’re already sending out the No. 1-ranked Josh Barr.
Still, Iowa isn’t rolling over. They’ve got firepower of their own, including a heavyweight showdown where No.
5 Ben Kueter will square off with Penn State’s No. 13 Cole Mirasola.
And at 184 pounds, it’s a must-watch battle between No. 1 Angelo Ferrari and No.
4 Rocco Welsh - a matchup that could steal the show.
Match-by-Match Breakdown
Here’s how the projected matchups stack up, with Penn State wrestlers listed first and national rankings via InterMat:
- 125 lbs: No. 2 Luke Lilledahl vs.
No. 6 Dean Peterson
- 133 lbs: No. 4 Marcus Blaze vs.
No. 8 Drake Ayala
- 141 lbs: No. 7 Braeden Davis vs.
No. 11 Nasir Bailey
- 149 lbs: No. 1 Shayne Van Ness vs.
No. 17 Ryder Block
- 157 lbs: No. 3 PJ Duke vs.
No. 12 Jordan Williams
- 165 lbs: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink vs.
No. 3 Mikey Caliendo
- 174 lbs: No. 1 Levi Haines vs.
No. 3 Patrick Kennedy
- 184 lbs: No. 4 Rocco Welsh vs.
No. 1 Angelo Ferrari
- 197 lbs: No. 1 Josh Barr vs.
Gabe Arnold or Harvey Ludington
- HWT: No.
13 Cole Mirasola vs. No.
5 Ben Kueter
That’s eight top-10 matchups in ten weights - a dream for college wrestling fans and a pressure cooker for both coaching staffs.
When and Where to Watch
The dual kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network. For those streaming, you can catch it via the Fox Sports Go app (with a TV login) or through Fubo, which carries BTN and offers a free trial for new users.
Penn State’s Dominant Run So Far
Here’s a look at the Nittany Lions’ season to date - and what’s ahead:
- Nov. 14: vs. Oklahoma - W, 45-0
- Dec. 5: at Drexel - W, 43-3
- Dec. 7: vs.
Lehigh - W, 36-6
- Dec. 13: at Wyoming - W, 40-7
- Dec. 20: vs. North Dakota State - W, 46-0
- Dec. 22: vs. Stanford - W, 42-0
- Jan. 10: vs. Rutgers - W, 46-0
- Jan. 16: at Iowa - 7 p.m.
- Jan. 18: at Northwestern - 3 p.m.
- Jan. 23: vs. Indiana - 7 p.m.
- Jan. 25: at Maryland - Noon
- Jan. 30: vs.
Nebraska (Bryce Jordan Center) - 8 p.m.
- Feb. 6: at Michigan - 6 p.m.
- Feb. 13: vs. Ohio State (Bryce Jordan Center) - 7 p.m.
- Feb. 20: vs. Princeton - 7 p.m.
- March 7-8: Big Ten Championships (Bryce Jordan Center)
- March 19-21: NCAA Championships (Cleveland, Rocket Arena)
Final Thoughts
Friday night’s dual isn’t just another checkmark on the calendar - it’s a measuring stick for both programs. For Penn State, it’s a chance to keep the historic streak alive and further cement their status as the undisputed top dog in college wrestling. For Iowa, it’s an opportunity to play spoiler and remind the wrestling world that Carver-Hawkeye is still one of the toughest places to walk out of with a win.
One thing’s for sure: when these two titans meet on the mat, expect fireworks.