Dean Peterson is done at Rutgers but isn’t quite done throwing shade at Penn State wrestling star Luke Lilledahl.
In an Instagram post announcing Peterson’s entry into the transfer portal, a user commented Peterson “wouldn’t wrestle” at Penn State.
Peterson didn’t hold back in his response.
“Their starter is 0-1 against me 💀 😭”
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/w44ykpLFcy
— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) March 30, 2025
Penn State’s starter at 125 is, of course, Lilledahl, and Peterson technically isn’t wrong.
In the lone meeting between the two thus far, which took place this past January in Piscataway, Peterson handed the true freshman his first college loss, beating him 4-1.
Afterword, Peterson took to social media.
‘FASTER THAN LIGHTNING’
Peterson opened eyes after the win over Lilledahl, doing so via Twitter.
While the dual meet was still going on, Peterson, then ranked No. 19, took to social media to gloat about his 4-1 win over No. 6 Lilledahl.
“Faster than lightning,” Peterson posted to X (formerly Twitter).
”Lighting” is a referencing to Lilledahl’s nickname, which is “Lightnin Luke.”
What Peterson wrote next was probably most memorable.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“#fuckpennstate.”
It must be pointed out that Peterson did delete his tweet. But it’s also clear that he doesn’t have love for Penn State wrestling. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. For one, Penn State wrestling has won 12 of the past 14 national championships, and that type of dominance creates hatred from the outside.
Peterson also has some personal history with Penn State wrestling.
Last season at the Bryce Jordan Center, Peterson lost to Penn State’s Braeden Davis in controversial fashion.
Now, Peterson will be wrestling for a new school, and there already seems to be a favorite.
HAWKEYE DEAN?
ST. LOUIS, MO. – MARCH 18: Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands watches during the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 18, 2017, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)
Posts by Pat Mineo of the Wrestling Room indicated that Iowa is the favorite for Peterson.
HEY NOW! HEY NOW!
Nebby & Minny now in contact, it’s up to these two great programs to keep Mean Dean away from Iowa! We’re counting on you… HAHAHA. https://t.co/G5trWfJ5cQ
— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) March 30, 2025
Mineo also reported that two other Big Ten programs— Nebraska and Minnesota— have been in contact.
We shall see what happens.
