We’ve got you covered with live updates as the Rutgers Scarlet Knights wrestle the Nittany Lions at Penn State!
The Nittany Lions set an NCAA D1 record their last time on the mat, when they won their 77th dual meet in a row. They’ll look to extend the record when they host Rutgers, who won the 61st Midlands Championships just over a week ago.
Probable Lineups
125: #2 Luke Lilledahl vs #33 Ayden Smith, Rutgers
133: #6 Marcus Blaze vs #24 Dylan Shawver, Rutgers
141: Nate Desmond or #11 Aaron Nagao vs Tahir Parkins or Mason Gibson, Rutgers
149: #1 Shayne Van Ness vs Devon Magro, Rutgers
157: #3 PJ Duke vs Anthony White or Easton Doster, Rutgers
165: #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink vs #26 Ryan Ford or Andrew Barbosa, Rutgers
174: #1 Levi Haines vs #10 Lenny Pinto or Jordan Chapman, Rutgers
184: #4 Rocco Welsh vs #18 Shane Cartagena-Walsh, Rutgers
197: #1 Josh Barr vs #16 Remy Cotton, Rutgers
285: #14 Cole Mirasola vs #21 Hunter Catka, Rutgers
125: #2 Luke Lilledahl vs #33 Ayden Smith, Rutgers
1st period: Starting off 125 with a ranked matchup! Smith is a redshirt freshman, Lilledahl is a true sophomore. Lilledahl took 3rd at NCAAs last year. He also has a U17, U20 and U23 world gold medal. Not bad! Single leg shot after a minute and Lightning Luke converts to make it 3-0! Smith escapes 30 seconds later. Lilledahl staying aggressive, shoots enough on Smith to draw a stall call on the Scarlet Knight. Smith trying to circle in, he counters a shot from Lilledahl as they go out of bounds, no stall but it looked close. Lilledahl in on another shot as the period ends, 3-1 in his favor.
2nd period: Lilledahl starts the period underneath. Luke frees himself in about 20 seconds to make it 4-1. Lilledahl’s defense is keeping Smith at bay. Smith backs up and gets dinged again for stalling, Lilledahl picks up another point. It’s 5-0 at the end of the second.
3rd period: Smith’s turn to choose, he’ll take bottom. Lilledahl tight waists Ayden for about 30 seconds before Smith escapes. Smith is within 3 points as it’s 5-2 but he’s yet to threaten. Now a shot from Smith but Lilledahl defends. Less than a minute to go. Low level double for Lilledahl gives him 3 more with less than 20 to go. It’s 8-2, Luke has time to pickup riding time but Lilledahl goes optional start to try an get the major. Smith shoots off the whistle and they’re still scrambling as time expires. Regular decision for Lilledahl, as he wins 8-3.
Penn State 3, Rutgers 0
Lilledahl with the takedown late in the third.#PSUwr pic.twitter.com/g43fAgyKWF
— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) January 10, 2026
133: #6 Marcus Blaze vs #24 Dylan Shawver, Rutgers
1st period: All-American for Rutgers and a true freshman for Penn State, though Blaze isn’t your average ordinary true frosh and Shawver is having trouble finding AA form in his senior campaign. Half way through the period and we’ve seen some text book stance and positioning but not a lot of action. Both wrestlers are from Ohio by the way. Blaze changes level and has a body lock on Shawver but can’t do anything with the bear hug and they’re back to neutral. 0-0 after three minutes of wrestling, Shawver picked up a stall call as they went out of bounds with 1 second left in the period.
2nd period: Shawver takes bottom to start the 2nd period. After about 45 seconds Shawver sits out and elevates Blaze and escapes to make it 1-0. Front head lock for Blaze and he’s looking for a go behind. Shawver with some nifty defense but the extra effort gives Blaze the takedown with an ankle pick. It’s 3-1. Blaze rides out the period and has about 1:25 of RT.
3rd period: Blaze chooses neutral for the final period of regulation. Blaze hits an ankle pick as Shawver simultaneously gets hit for stalling for the second time. The takedown and stall point make it 8-1. Blaze cuts Shawver on the restart and it’s 8-2. Shawver in on a single leg with a minute left in the period. Blaze uses a shin whizzer and they’re back to neutral. 30 seconds remaining. Lefty hi-c for Blaze, he converts with just 15 seconds to go. The Nittany Lion will ride out the remaining seconds to make it 12-2 with the riding time point. Major for Blaze!
Penn State 7, Rutgers 0
141: Braeden Davis vs Tahir Parkins, Rutgers
1st period: Looks like Davis will tear off his redshirt and take the mat for Penn State. That unfortunately doesn’t bode well for his teammate Aaron Nagao, who had to withdraw from the Southern Scuffle after just one match.
