Penn State Vs. Nebraska Wrestling Preview: Seeking the Big Ten Sweep

tyler-kasak

The No. 1 Penn State wrestling team can complete its fourth consecutive unebeaten Big Ten dual-meet season Sunday, when it hosts fourth-ranked Nebraska at Rec Hall. An anticipated sellout crowd should see some intriguing matchups, though the Nittany Lions are favored to win their 55th consecutive dual dating to the 2019-20 season.

What to watch in Sunday’s Penn State vs. Nebraska wrestling match? Here’s a primer.

No. 1 Penn State (10-0) vs. No. 4 Nebraska (10-1)

When: 4 p.m. ET Sunday

Where: Rec Hall, State College, Pa.

TV: Big Ten Network

Streaming: FuboTV (start your free trial)

About the Nittany Lions

Coach Cael Sanderson’s team can complete one of its most dominant Big Ten dual-meet seasons Sunday. The Nittany Lions not only can go 8-0 in conference action but also punctuate a masterpiece Big Ten run. The Lions are 61-9 in Big Ten Conference bouts, and the primary starting lineup is 54-6. Six Nittany Lions are unbeaten in conference matches, including Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141 pounds. Bartlett was named Big Ten wrestler of the week after beating second-ranked Real Woods of Iowa and Rutgers’ Max Hermes with a late takedown. Bartlett is on quite a run, with wins over his weight class’ No. 2 wrestlers in the past two weeks. As long as everyone is healthy, Penn State should roll with a full lineup against Nebraska. That means the returns of top-ranked Carter Starocci (174) and Greg Kerkvliet (285), who missed the Rutgers match at the Bryce Jordan Center. Terrell Barraclough and Lucas Cochran entered the lineup to beat ranked wrestlers, underscoring Penn State’s roster dominance this season.

Penn State vs. Nebraska matchups to watch

Eight of the projected matchups feature top-20 wrestlers, so there should be some lively bouts. The most interesting might be at 149, where Penn State’s ninth-ranked freshman Tyler Kasak (12-2) takes on No. 1 Ridge Lovett (20-0). Lovett is a two-time All-American who was named a NCAA wrestler of the week in February after winning the Cliff Keen Invite. This will be a postseason litmus test for Kasak.

At 157, Nebraska’s seventh-ranked Peyton Robb (16-4) gets another shot at Penn State’s top-ranked Levi Haines (13-0). Haines defeated Robb twice last season, in the Big Ten final and the NCAA Tournament semifinals. And at 184, sixth-ranked Bernie Truax of Penn State meets No. 3 Lenny Pinto, who’s looking for his second win over a top-10 opponent this season.

How to watch Penn State vs. Nebraska wrestling

Big Ten Network will broadcast the Penn State-Nebraska match live beginning at 4 p.m. ET. Shane Sparks and Jim Gibbons will call the match from Rec Hall. Streamers might consider FuboTV (start your free trial).

More Penn State Wrestling

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Penn State demonstrates its dominance in milestone win over Rutgers

Penn State routs Iowa on a landmark night for Cael Sanderson

Penn State turns up the volume at ‘awkwardly quiet’ Rec Hall

Penn State tops Ohio State, but not without a struggle

Penn State routs Maryland 42-6 for 51st consecutive victory

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button’s on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.