Penn State Wrestling Keeps Rolling with Dominant Win Over Michigan
Another dual meet, another statement. This time, it came in Ann Arbor, where Penn State wrestling did what it’s been doing all season - and really, for several seasons now - dominating from start to finish. The top-ranked Nittany Lions steamrolled Michigan 38-3 on Friday night, extending one of the most impressive streaks in college sports.
Freshman Nate Desmond stepped into the spotlight at 141 pounds and didn’t disappoint, delivering a strong performance in a lineup that’s already loaded with talent and experience. That’s been the story of this Penn State team all year: depth, dominance, and a next-man-up mentality that continues to pay off.
With the win, Penn State moves to 13-0 overall and 7-0 in the Big Ten. And if you're keeping count - and you should be - the Nittany Lions have now won 84 straight dual meets. That’s not just a streak; it’s an era.
Next Up: A Heavyweight Showdown
The road doesn’t get any easier from here. Penn State is set to host No.
2 Ohio State on Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center in what’s shaping up to be the dual meet of the season. The Buckeyes are 17-0 themselves and are coming off a convincing 24-9 win over Iowa in Columbus.
Circle that one.
By the Numbers: Penn State’s 2025-26 Season of Dominance
Let’s break down just how overwhelming this Penn State team has been:
- Takedowns Tell the Tale: Against Michigan, the Lions held a 37-3 edge in takedowns. That’s not a typo.
For the season, they’ve out-takedowned opponents 422-35. That’s the kind of stat that makes opposing coaches lose sleep.
- Bout Breakdown: Penn State’s individual bout record in duals is 120-10. Against Big Ten opponents?
65-5. That’s not just winning - that’s controlling nearly every matchup on the mat.
- Scoring Margin: Through 13 duals, the Lions have outscored their opponents 544-34. In Big Ten meets alone, they’ve posted a 292-18 margin. You don’t see numbers like that unless a team is firing on all cylinders - and then some.
- Shutout Central: Seven shutouts this season. Four of them came against Big Ten foes - Rutgers (46-0), Northwestern (51-0), Indiana (48-0), and Maryland (51-0). That’s a level of consistency and dominance that’s almost unheard of in this sport.
- Bonus Points Galore: Of their 120 individual wins in dual meets, 25 have come by pin and 41 by technical fall. That’s 66 bonus-point wins, which speaks volumes about this team’s aggressiveness and ability to finish.
Unbeaten Regulars: The Core of a Powerhouse
Seven Penn State starters remain undefeated, and each one is making a case to be considered among the best in the country at their weight class:
- Luke Lilledahl (125): 15-0
- Marcus Blaze (133): 17-0
- Shayne Van Ness (149): 16-0
- Mitchell Mesenbrink (165): 17-0
- Levi Haines (174): 16-0
- Rocco Welsh (184): 15-0
- Josh Barr (197): 14-0
This isn’t just a team with a few stars - it’s a lineup filled with hammers from top to bottom. Whether it’s veterans like Haines or rising stars like Blaze and Lilledahl, Penn State is getting elite performances across the board.
The Bottom Line
Cael Sanderson’s squad isn’t just beating teams - they’re overwhelming them. Every stat, every match, every meet tells the same story: Penn State wrestling is operating at a level few programs have ever reached. And with Ohio State coming to town, the next chapter in this dominant run is about to be written.
Get ready.