WATCH: PSU MBB’s Mike Rhoades after Palestra Game vs Illinois
The Nittany Lions dropped thier third conference game of the season after closing the gap to single digits multiple times against the Illini.
Penn State wrestling continues its quest for a 13th national title in the past 15 seasons when it opens Big Ten action Saturday against Top 20 Rutgers.
The No. 1 Nittany Lions (6-0) will wrestle, as a team, for the first time since breaking the all-time Division I win streak Dec. 20 with their 77th consecutive dual match victory.
They’ll be heavily favored, yet again, against the Scarlet Knights in Rec Hall (4 p.m., Big Ten Network). The Lions boast five No. 1 wrestlers and all but one starter ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
Rutgers (6-2) is No. 16 in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll with two Top 10 wrestlers — Joey Olivieri at 141 pounds and Lenny Pinto at 174. The No. 9 Pinto (7-3) will face No. 1 Levi Haines in a battle of senior stars.
The Scarlet Knights’ second loss came at home to Oklahoma (19-14) — a team Penn State shutout, 45-0, to open the season.
Penn State’s biggest question Saturday should come at 141 pounds, where expected starter Aaron Nagao may not go because of injury issues. Coach Cael Sanderson would then turn to either freshman Nate Desmond or All-American Braeden Davis.
Stream Penn State wrestling vs. Rutgers live with Fubo (free trial)
Here’s how to watch the opening Big Ten match between No. 1 Penn State and Rutgers, including time, TV schedule and streaming info:
What TV channel is Penn State vs Rutgers today?
It’s Penn State vs. Rutgers on the Big Ten Network with Shane Sparks and Jim Gibbons on the call. Streaming options for the game include the Fox Sports Go app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries the Big Ten Network and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Penn State vs Rutgers time today
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Rec Hall (State College)
Penn State lineup vs. Rutgers
(Individual national rankings via InterMat. Penn State wrestlers are listed first.)125 pounds: No. 2 Luke Lilledahl vs. No. 29 Ayden Smith133 pounds: No. 5 Marcus Blaze vs. No. 24 Dylan Shawver141 pounds: No. 9 Aaron Nagao or Braeden Davis or Nate Desmond vs. No. 5 Joey Olivieri149 pounds: No. 1 Shayne Van Ness vs. No. 31 Andrew Clark157 pounds: No. 4 PJ Duke vs. No. 32 Tony White165 pounds: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink vs. No. 21 Andrew Barbosa174 pounds: No. 1 Levi Haines vs. No. 9 Lenny Pinto184 pounds: No. 4 Rocco Welsh vs. No. 15 Shane Cartagena-Walsh197 pounds: No. 1 Josh Barr vs. No. 18 Remy CottonHeavyweight: No. 15 Cole Mirasola vs. No. 21 Hunter Katka
Penn State wrestling schedule 2025-26
- Nov. 14: OKLAHOMA, W, 45-0
- Dec. 5: at Drexel, W, 43-3
- Dec. 7: LEHIGH, W 36-6
- Dec. 13: at Wyoming, W, 40-7
- Dec. 20: vs. North Dakota State (Collegiate Wrestling Duals), W, 46-0
- Dec. 22: vs. Stanford (Collegiate Wrestling Duals), W, 42-0
- Jan. 10: RUTGERS, 4 p.m.
- Jan. 16: at Iowa, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 18: at Northwestern, 3 p.m.
- Jan. 23: INDIANA, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 25: at Maryland, Noon
- Jan. 30: NEBRASKA (Bryce Jordan Center), 8 p.m.
- Feb. 6: at Michigan, 6 p.m.
- Feb. 13: OHIO STATE (Bryce Jordan Center), 7 p.m.
- Feb. 20: PRINCETON, 7 p.m.
- March 7-8: Big Ten Championships (Penn State, Bryce Jordan Center)
- March 19-21: NCAA Championships (Cleveland, Rocket Arena)
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Frank Bodani covers Penn State sports for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected]
