Penn State wrestling is looking to win its 65th consecutive dual meet, and it has to go to Piscataway, New Jersey, to do it.
No. 1 Penn State is taking on No. 14 Rutgers Friday night.
Rutgers is 10-3 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten dual meets.
The team had a tough non-conference schedule and, as a result, suffered losses at the hands of NC State and Virginia Tech. In the conference season, Rutgers has commanding wins over Wisconsin (31-7) and No. 24 Indiana (28-6).
Rutgers nearly upset No. 4 Ohio State in Columbus but fell 17-15. Rutgers went into the last bout of the night clinging to a 15-14 lead, but Ohio State heavyweight Nick Feldman, ranked No. 6, beat No. 7 Yaraslau Slavikouski by decision, 4-1. An upset win in Columbus would have done wonders. But if Rutgers can somehow beat Penn State, it would be absolutely monumental.
BOUNCE-BACK CHANCES
Photo by Penn State Wrestling: Braeden Davis
Penn State wrestling has two competitors looking to bounce back Friday night. At 133, then-No. 5 Braeden Davis was upset by Nebraska’s Jacob Van Dee, who came in ranked No. 16, 14-7.
Penn State Wrestling: What Happened in Braeden Davis’ Loss? Cael Sanderson Explains
At 149, then-No. 2 Shayne Van Ness lost in a major to then-No. 4 Ridge Lovett 10-2.
Both will have their chances for some degree of redemption Friday night.
Here’s the projected lineup. Penn State and Rutgers are scheduled to start at 8 on the Big Ten Network.
THE PROJECTED LINEUP
Photo by Penn State Wrestling: Cael Sanderson
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No. 6 Luke Lilledahl (PSU) vs. No. 19 Dean Peterson (Rutgers)
133
No. 7 Braeden Davis (PSU) vs. No. 9 Dylan Shawver (Rutgers)
141
No. 3 Beau Bartlett (PSU) vs. No. 14 Joseph Oliveri (Rutgers)
149
No. 4 Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) vs. No. 20 Andrew Clark (Rutgers)
157
No. 3 Tyler Kasak (Penn State) vs. No. 31 Conner Harer (Rutgers)
165
No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) vs. No. 31 Carter Harer (Rutgers)
174
No. 2 Levi Haines (Penn State) vs. No. 22 Jackson Turley (Rutgers)
184
No. 1 Carter Starocci (Penn State) vs. No. 18 Shane Cartagena-Walsh (Rutgers)
197
No. 4 Josh Barr (Penn State) vs. No. 16 John Poznanski (Rutgers)
Heavyweight
No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) vs. No. 7 Yaraslau Slavikouski (Rutgers)
