Penn State Sends a Message in Iowa City with Dominant 32-3 Win Over Hawkeyes
IOWA CITY, Iowa - In a clash of Big Ten wrestling titans, it wasn’t just a win for Penn State - it was a statement. The Nittany Lions rolled into Carver-Hawkeye Arena and handed Iowa its worst home loss in program history, dismantling the Hawkeyes 32-3 in front of a packed house of 12,530 fans.
This wasn’t just a dual meet. It was a showcase of depth, dominance, and the kind of composure you don’t often see from a team relying heavily on underclassmen.
Penn State, now 8-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten, won nine of ten bouts and barely gave Iowa room to breathe. The Nittany Lions gave up just two takedowns the entire night and racked up a 15-2 edge in that category - a stat that tells you everything about the tone of the evening.
The Early Momentum
Things kicked off at 125 pounds, and sophomore Luke Lilledahl wasted no time setting the tone. Ranked No. 2 in the country, Lilledahl controlled the bout against No. 6 Dean Peterson from start to finish, scoring all three takedowns in an 11-5 decision that was more dominant than the score suggests.
At 133, true freshman Marcus Blaze showed why he’s one of the most exciting young names in college wrestling. Facing Iowa senior Drake Ayala - ranked No.
8 - Blaze turned a second-period takedown into a clutch 4-2 win. That put Penn State up 6-0 and gave them early control of the dual.
Iowa briefly pushed back at 141 pounds, where No. 11 Nassir Bailey edged out Penn State’s Braeden Davis in a tight 3-2 decision. But that would be Iowa’s lone bright spot.
Bonus Points and Big-Time Performances
From 149 on, Penn State slammed the door shut.
At 149, junior Shayne Van Ness - the No. 1 wrestler in the country - put on a third-period clinic against No. 17 Ryder Block.
Van Ness exploded with a takedown and four near-fall points to secure a 13-4 major decision. That bonus point win pushed the Nittany Lions’ lead to 10-3.
Next up was another true freshman, PJ Duke, ranked No. 3 at 157. Duke battled through a gritty bout with No.
12 Jordan Williams, using a third-period escape and takedown to pull out a 4-2 win. Not flashy, but incredibly effective - and it sent Penn State into intermission with a 13-3 lead.
Then came the hammer at 165. Junior Mitchell Mesenbrink, the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class, dominated No.
3 Michael Caliendo from whistle to whistle. Mesenbrink scored takedowns in all three periods en route to an 11-2 major decision - another bonus point win that stretched the lead to 17-3.
At 174, senior Levi Haines - also ranked No. 1 - kept the momentum rolling with a composed 4-2 win over Gabe Arnold. Haines scored early and managed the match with veteran savvy.
The Marquee Matchup at 184
The most anticipated bout of the night came at 184, where No. 4 Rocco Welsh squared off with top-ranked Angelo Ferrari. It lived up to the hype.
After a scoreless regulation and sudden victory period, Welsh rode out Ferrari in the first tiebreaker and escaped in the second, grinding out a 2-1 win in a match that showcased elite-level defense, mental toughness, and just enough offense to get the job done.
A Pin to Seal It
At 197, sophomore Josh Barr - the No. 1 wrestler in the country - delivered the exclamation point. Barr locked up the dual’s only fall, pinning Brody Sampson at the 3:42 mark. That gave Penn State a 29-3 lead and all but ended any remaining suspense.
Redshirt freshman Cole Mirasola closed the night at heavyweight with a gritty 4-3 win over No. 5 Ben Kueter. Mirasola used a second-period takedown to gain the edge and held on late to finish off the night in style.
A Historic Beatdown
This wasn’t just a win - it was a dismantling. Penn State walked into one of the most intimidating venues in college wrestling and left with a 32-3 victory, giving up just one bout and two takedowns in the process. They picked up bonus points in three matches - two majors and a pin - and showed why they’re not just the top team in the Big Ten, but the gold standard in college wrestling right now.
The win marks Penn State’s 79th straight dual victory - a streak that shows no signs of slowing down.
What’s Next
The Nittany Lions won’t have much time to savor this one. They’re back on the mat Sunday afternoon at Northwestern.
The Wildcats, now 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten, are coached by State College native Matt Storniolo. He’s in his 11th year at the helm and has a handful of ranked wrestlers, but they’ll be coming off a tough 28-12 loss to Wisconsin.
Penn State, meanwhile, will look to keep the train rolling. With four shutouts already this season and a roster stacked with young talent and veteran leadership, this team doesn’t just win - it overwhelms.
Bout Results:
- 125: Luke Lilledahl (PSU) dec. Dean Peterson (IA), 11-5
- 133: Marcus Blaze (PSU) dec. Drake Ayala (IA), 4-2
- 141: Nassir Bailey (IA) dec. Braeden Davis (PSU), 3-2
- 149: Shayne Van Ness (PSU) maj. dec. Ryder Block (IA), 13-4
- 157: PJ Duke (PSU) dec. Jordan Williams (IA), 4-2
- 165: Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) maj. dec. Michael Caliendo (IA), 11-2
- 174: Levi Haines (PSU) dec. Gabe Arnold (IA), 4-2
- 184: Rocco Welsh (PSU) dec. Angelo Ferrari (IA), 2-1 SV
- 197: Josh Barr (PSU) pinned Brody Sampson (IA), 3:42
- 285: Cole Mirasola (PSU) dec.
Ben Kueter (IA), 4-3
Up Next:
Penn State at Northwestern
Start: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, Ill.
TV: Big Ten+
Radio: WRAX-FM 106.5 Bedford
Penn State’s message to the rest of the Big Ten - and the nation - is loud and clear: this team is loaded, locked in, and laser-focused on another title run.