Penn State wrestling (12-0, Big Ten 4-0) took down previously undefeated Michigan (5-1, Big Ten 1-1) 29-6 Friday night at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.

The matchup came as one of the most anticipated duals of the entire NCAA season, with 18 of the 20 wrestlers holding a ranked position within their weight class. In a number of close matches, the Nittany Lions were able to stay consistent and walk away with another Big Ten win.

How It Happened

Starting off at 125 pounds, No. 9 Drew Hildebrandt took on No. 1 Nick Suriano. The top-ten matchup began slow, with the only action being a stalling call against Hildebrandt. The second period saw the first point of the match with an escape from Suriano. The score stayed 1-0 through the second. Hildebrandt got an escape, but it wasn’t enough. Suriano finished with a 2-1 decision with the extra point of riding time.

The second match of the night brought Penn State’s top-ranked Roman Bravo-Young against Michigan’s No. 12 Dylan Ragusin. With 50 seconds left in the first, RBY got the takedown, but the call was challenged. Bravo-Young was granted the points. Bravo-Young scored once again with an escape in the second making it 3-0. A count of four stretched a huge 7-0 lead for Bravo-Young. A quick escape with 15 seconds left from Ragusin made the score 7-1. But, another takedown for Bravo-Young was quickly made and overturned but officials. The riding time awarded Bravo-Young the 8-1 major decision.

Another national champion took the mat at 141 pounds with No. 1 Nick Lee against Drew Mattin. Lee came out strong with three takedowns in the first, immediately going up 6-2. The Nittany Lion kept the pressure in the second with two more takedowns and a four-count score. The match finished up with a relentless performance from Lee, getting the 21-5 technical fall.

Penn State took the first lead of the dual 8-3.

Next to the mat was the 149-pound bout with No. 19 Beau Bartlett and Cole Mattin. Bartlett began the match with a quick six points, but an ankle injury from Mattin gave Barlett the win by injury default.

The 157-pound bout brought out Penn State’s Terrell Barraclough and Michigan’s No. 15 Will Lewan. A tied first period started the match, but an escape and a takedown put Lewan up 3-0 in the second. Barraclough managed two escapes but still fell in a 6-3 decision. Penn State still led the dual 14-6 going into intermission.

The second half opened with No.16 Brady Berge against No. 10 Cameron Amine at 165 pounds. Berge took the first attack and was successful with the takedown. Amine answered back in the second with an escape, making it a close 2-1. Berge was able to hold on and secure the upset decision win 3-1.

In the seventh match, No. 1 Carter Starocci took on No. 6 Logan Massa. Starocci got an escape and a takedown going up 3-1 through two periods. Another takedown was awarded to Starocci, but a challenge reversed it, making it 3-2. Starocci stayed strong and won the decision 3-2. Penn State extended its lead 20-6.

Next, No. 1 Aaron Brooks wrestled fellow Big Ten champion No. 2 Myles Amine at 184 pounds. After a 0-0 tie through the first and majority of the second, Amine got a quick escape with 50 seconds left of the second. Brooks matched the score 1-1 and got the takedown, making it 3-1. The final score gave Brooks the 3-1 decision.

Another top-ten matchup was next on the mat was the 197-pound bout with No. 2 Max Dean and No. 8 Patrick Brucki. Brucki scored the first points with a takedown and Dean got the escape, giving Brucki the 2-1 advantage. A third escape and a second takedown brought the match within one point, 4-3. Great mat awareness from Dean gave him the riding time bonus point and led to a sudden victory. Dean got the swift takedown and won by decision once again 6-4.

The final match of the night saw the 285-pound heavyweights No. 4 Greg Kerkvliet and No. 2 Mason Parris. Kerkvliet got two takedowns to open the match, but Parris answered back making it a 4-4 tie through the first period. Kerkvliet secured a takedown late in the third and got the decision win 8-5.

The second-half lineup one again went undefeated and Penn State finished with a 29-6 win in Ann Arbor.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will be on the road again in Michigan this Sunday. They’ll take on the Spartans at 1 p.m. in East Lansing on BTN+.