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Big Ten Wrestling

Match Notes: #1 Penn State vs #10 Michigan

Match Notes: #1 Penn State vs #10 Michigan

Follow the action in real time as the Penn State Nittany Lions wrestle the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor!

Feb 6, 2026 by Andrew Spey
Match Notes: #1 Penn State vs #10 Michigan

Penn State will try to extend their NCAA record of 823consecutive dual meet wins in a row in Ann, Arbor when they wrestle their Big Ten rival Michigan Wolverines Friday night at 6:00PM ET. 

You can watch live on the Big Ten Network, or in person in Crisler Arena, or follow along with this live blog, or some combination of those options. The choice is yours!

Projected Lineups

125: #25 Diego Sotelo, Michigan vs #1 Luke Lilledahl, Penn State

133: Gauge Botero, Michigan vs #4 Marcus Blaze, Penn State

141: Dylan Ragusin, Michigan vs #13 Braeden Davis, Penn State

149: #17 Lachlan McNeil, Michigan vs #1 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State

157: #13 Cam Catrabone, Michigan vs #4 PJ Duke, Penn State

165: Justin Gates, Michigan vs #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State

174: #11 Beau Mantanona, Michigan vs #1 Levi Haines, Penn State

184: #7 Brock Mantanona, Michigan vs #1 Rocco Welsh, Penn State

197: #21 Hayden Walters, Michigan vs #1 Josh Barr, Penn State

285: #5 Taye Ghadiali, Michigan vs #8 Cole Mirasola, Michigan

The Nittany Lions are big favorites to win this dual but that doesn't mean there won't be any intrigue in the contest. In fact, I previewed the contest and provided many potential instances of intrigue we might see. You can read it here, for free!

The great Zach Mackey and Tim Johnson are on the call for BTN. Also getting the first look at probable lineups now that the broadcast has started and looked like we'll see Nate Desmond at 141 instead of Braeden Davis for Penn State. Michigan has an "or" listed at just about every weight so we'll have to see who takes the mat for the Wolverines. 

125: #25 Diego Sotelo, Michigan vs #1 Luke Lilledahl, Penn State

1st period: There's the first whistle and action is underway in the Crisler Arena. About a minute in Lilledahl gets in on a single leg and finishes quickly for the first takedown and points of the dual meet. Sotelo escapes after about 30 seconds. Lilledahl wastes little time getting in on Sotelo's legs again and there's the second takedown. Riding time over a minute. An escape in short time makes it 6-2, but Luke only needs 10 seconds to collect another takedown and it's 9-2 after 3 minutes of wrestling. 

2nd period: Starting the second in neutral, not sure whose choice it was. Lilledahl shoots in but this time Sotelo is able to scramble out of bounds and avoids a takedown. On the restart though, Lilledahl will not be denied and it's 12-2, now 12-3 with the release. Single to a double for another quick finish and it's 15-3 with a minute left in the period. Reversal for Sotelo and he chips away at that lead. Escape for Luke and it's 16-5 late in the period. Shot and a reshot gives Lilledahl a takedown in short time and Sotelo is warned for stalling. 19-5 going into the final period. 

3rd period: Lilledahl chooses down (that answers the question of who picked neutral in the second) and a quick sit and hip heist and Lilledahl has a reversal and the tech-fall!

Lilledahl techs Sotelo, 21-5

PSU 5, Michigan 0

133: Gauge Botero, Michigan vs #4 Marcus Blaze, Penn State

1st period: Botero fends off Blaze for about a minute but then Blaze runs him down for the first takedown on a go behind. Escape for Botero but Blaze right back in for another TD. In short time Blaze locks up a cradle and rocks Botero to his back. Blaze keeping his legs in the cylinder but he runs out of time as the period ends, not before Marcus picks up 4 nearfall points. 

2nd period: Blaze has a 10-1 lead and takes down. First escape attempt is stymied but Blaze is out on the next one. Snap down go behind and it's 14-1 with about a minute left in the period. Optional start with 45 seconds on the clock. Escape for Botero and Blaze has 30 seconds to get a takedown and a tech-fall in the second period. And he'll get it with 19 seconds to spare!

Blaze techs Botero, 17-2

PSU 10, Michigan 0

141: Dylan Ragusin, Michigan vs Nate Desmond, Penn State

1st period: Senior Ragusin will have true freshman Desmond. A slower, more tactical first period than we've seen so far. Not much in the way of flurries or shots after two minutes, bagels still on the scoreboard. Now we get a scramble off a Ragusin attack. They're back to neutral after a nice 30 second flurry. Period ends, zilches for both wrestlers. 

2nd period: Ragusin takes bottom. Desmond locks up a headlock but can't get a turn and after a five count he picks up a stall warning. Ragusin escapes quickly off the next restart and collects the first point of the match. Desmond shoots, Ragusin reshoots. He's in on Desmond's leg but Desmond sits the corner and he'll score the first takedown. Desmond takes the leads 3-1. Ragusin stands, Desmond can't return him and Desmond gets hit with another stall call to make it 3-2. Off the next whistle there's a scramble and Ragusin ends up on top, collecting a reversal and the lead. A short ride out makes it 4-3 in favor of Ragusin going into the final period. 

3rd period: Desmond chooses bottom. Ragusin runs riding time under a minute. Desmond stands, and reverses Ragusin as they return to the mat. Ragusin escapes with riding time at 49 seconds. Less than a minute and it's all tied 5-5. Shot from Desmond, Ragusin down blocks and tries to run behind. Desmond fighting off the short offense. Ragusin on a leg but Desmond does the splits and the period expires. We're getting overtime!

Sudden victory: They're in body locks early. Then a flurry. Ragusin has Desmond in trouble but Desmond keeps fighting through the position and ends up on top. Takedown and the victory for the freshman over the senior All-American!

Desmond decisions Ragusin, 8-5 

PSU 13, Michigan 0

149: #17 Lachlan McNeil, Michigan vs #1 Shayne Van Ness, Penn State

1st period: Another All-American for Michigan will try and earn the first victory for the Wolverines. McNeil comes to Michigan by way of North Carolina and Wyoming Seminary before that. Van Ness is a product of McNeil's high school rival, Blair Academy. No scores halfway through the period. A nice flurry but no scores right after the midway point of the period. Fierce handfighting but not much else happening in the first so we go to the second with donuts on the scoreboard. 

2nd period: McNeil chooses down and he stands and escapes fairly quickly. McNeil gives the point back to Van Ness due to hands in the face. Penalty point makes it 1-1. Hi-c from Van Ness and he's in deep. McNeil fights hard but Van Ness gets the takedown and takes a 4-1 lead. McNeil sits and Van ness tries to chin drop him for nearfall but McNeil bellies out. Strong ride out for Van Ness and it'll stay 4-1 as the buzzer sounds. Riding time at 1:17 for Shayne. 

2nd perod: Van Ness gets a turn on bottom. McNeil stops his first stand attempt. McNeil has to drop to a leg to stop Van Ness' second escape attempt and he'll get hit for stalling. Riding time down under a minute though. Van Nessfrees himself off the restart and immediately goes on the attack. A single leg lands and the takedown gives Van Ness an 8-1 leads with less than a minute to go. A rideout would give Van Ness the major. Van Ness is relentlessly apply pressure. Time runs out in the match and it is a major, 9-1 with the riding time point!

Van Ness majors McNeil, 9-1

PSU 17, Michigan 0

157: #13 Cam Catrabone, Michigan vs #4 PJ Duke, Penn State

1st period: True freshman PJ Duke will try and rebound after suffering the first defeat of his college career last week. Redshirt freshman Cam Catrabone has him in the hole early after he runs down a double leg to make it 3-0, now 3-1 after a quick escape. Duke needs a minute for the training, looks like a shoulder tweak, but he seems okay as he walks back to the center of the mat. That will give Catrabone choice and he takes bottom. He's out quickly to make it 4-1 after a minute of wrestling. Still in neutral after another minute of wrestling. Good stat from the booth, Catrabone scored the first takedown on Duke in his college career, as Antrell Taylor didn't register one when he beat Duke last week. No more scores in this period, 4-1 still for Catrabone. 

2nd period: Catrabone has choice again and he'll go back on bottom. He's up quickly and out to stretch his lead to 4. Duke responds with a takedown to close the gap. It's 5-4, still Catrabone. Escape from Catrabone to make it 6-4. Duke quickly back in on a single but Catrabone in a good position to counter. Extended scramble gets cut short with a stalemate call. Back to neutral, less than a minute left in the period. Shot from Duke, Catrabone rolls through and momentarily had Duke in trouble but Duke wrestled through the position and picked up another takedown and his first lead of the match. Duke rides out the period to keep the 7-6 lead for the final period of regulation. 

3rd period: Duke wants neutral. Handfighting but not much else after a minute. Catrabone pounces on a leg, he's in deep. He'll get a takedown and the lead, 9-7. Duke immediately out to make it 9-8. And right back in goes Duke for an 11-9 lead with 30 seconds to go. Riding time creeps over a minute. Catrabone escsapes with about 10 seconds left. Not enough time for Catrabone and Duke survives! Riding time makes it 12-10.

Duke decisions Catrabone, 12-10

PSU 20, Michigan 0

165: Justin Gates, Michigan vs #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State

1st period: Brief intermission after five bouts. Time to grab a beverage if you're following along in real time. Mesenbink in deep on a single nrar the boundary. Mitchell drags Gates back fully inside the cylinder and collects the takedown. 35 second ride and they go out of bounds, still 3-0. Mesenbrink cuts Gates on the restart and it's 3-1. Immediately back in on a go behind to make it 6-1. Mesenbrink has Gates stuck flat on the mat and Gates gets hit with stalling. Mesenbrink trying to work a hammerlock. He's unable to get a turn but he does ride out the period. 

2nd period: Mesenbrink takes bottom with 2:15 of riding time. Mesenbrink cartwheels on his head for a reversal and riding time starts going up again. An escape make it's 8-2 but not for long, as Mesenbrink fires off another shot and makes it 11-2. Neutral restart, 11-3. Single leg for Mesenbrink and it's 14-3 with less than a minute to go in the period. Mesenbrink has a 100% bonus rate on the season and he'll almost definitley keep things that way after this bout. A rideout keeps the score at 14-3. Mitchell has over 3 minutes of riding time so that RT point is secured goign into the third. 

3rd period: Gates chooses down and Mesenrbink gives him a point and they'll start in neutral. Takedown Mesenbrink makes it 17-4. Escape and now Mitchell is a takedown away from a teceh-fall. That possibility is delayed as Gates requires blood time. Back to the center, Gates with a cotton plug in one of his nostrils. Mesenbrink shoots, Gates scrambles, and we need another stoppage as Gates is leaking blood all over the place. Long break for blood, looks like Mesenbrink also got cut on the forehead, as that's bandaged up. And we're finally back to action. Single leg for Mesenbrink, but Gates is not making it easy. But Mesenrbink won't be denied. 20-5 teech and Mitchell's bonus rate stays perfect!

Mesenbrink techs Gates, 20-5

PSU 25, Michigan 0

174: #11 Beau Mantanona, Michigan vs #1 Levi Haines, Penn State

1st period: Returning champ Haiines vs round of 12 Mantanona in our highest ranked bout of the evening so far. Attack from Haines. Extended scramble. Wonderful wrestling from both competitors but it's Haines that prevails in this sequence and he leads 3-0. Haines smothering on top and stalemate is called. Haines amasses more than 60 seconds of riding time before Mantanona escapes to make it 3-1. Elbow post double and this time Haines finishes quickly to make it 6-1 in short time. Score stays that way as the period ends. 

2nd period: BeauMan chooses down to start the period. He's quickly away to make it 6-2. Level change for Mantanona but Haines downblocks and reattacks to collect three more. 9-2 with less than a minute in the second. Haines figure-fours a leg and he's got Mantanona tied up underneath. No nearfall but over two and a half minutes of ridding time and a 9-2 lead going into the final period. 

3rd period: Beau wants neutral, understandably. With a minute left in regulationa and riding time secured, Haines fires off a shot and collects 3 more. Haines cuts Beau and it's 12-3 late in the match. Mantaona warned for stalling and it's a point for Haines. Levi shoots off the restart whistle and it's 16-3, make that 16-4, Haines raicing for a tech. He'll get a takedown with just 3 seconds to spare, 19-4!

Haines techs Mantanona, 19-4

PSU 30, Michigan 0

184: #7 Brock Mantanona, Michigan vs #1 Rocco Welsh, Penn State

1st period: Redshirt freshman for Michigan (and brother of BeauMan, naturally) vs NCAA finalist redshirt sophomore and transfer from Ohio State for the Nittany Lions. Handfighting and a deliberate pace until about after way through the period where Welsh sees an opportunity and capitalizes snatching a single leg and finishing with a trip for the first score. Tough ride on top and Welsh takes his 3-0 lead into the second perod. 

2nd period: Welsh takes bottom and he's out with riding time at 1:08. Rocco gets a leg but this time BrockMan defends. 4-0 still halfway through the period. Not much action the rest of the period and it's till 4-0 when the buzzer sounds. 

3rd period. BrockMan takes bottom. Welsh stops Mantanona's first escape attempt. Welsh keeps riding but he stays parallel and doesn't have Mantanona broken down so Welsh picks up a stall call. Still 4-0, Welsh still riding with a minute to go but Welsh does have riding time locked up now. Mantanona stands and is free to score his first point. 4-1 as the clock ticks away. A flurry at 30 seconds goes out of bounds, time running out for BrockMan. Welsh backs up, and as Mantanona advances Welsh times a blast double pefectly and he drives Brock to the mat for the icer. Match ends as a regular decision as the RT point only makes it 8-1. 

Welsh decisions Mantanona, 8-1

PSU 33, Michigan 0

197: #21 Hayden Walters, Michigan vs #1 Josh Barr, Penn State

1st period: No scores after a minute but that changes quickly as Barr attacks and cleanly finishes to make it 3-0 at the 2 minute mark. Barr smoothering on top, has an arm bar, tries to run it, nearly loses control but he recovers, and it's still 3-0 on a restart with 38 seconds left in the period. Walters cannot extricate himself from Barr's clutches and Barr will ride out the period. The Penn Stater leads 3-0 with just over 2 minutes of RT. 

2nd period: Walters elects to go underneath voluntarily. The bold strategy pays off as he escapes after about 20 seconds. Barr on the attack though and he collects another takedown with about 90 seconds left in the period. Barr leads 6-1. Walters warned for stalling and Barr lets him up. Quick takedown to make it 9-2 with 30 seconds left in the period. Barr rides out the period and the RT point is secured. 

3rd period: Barr chooses neutral. Takedown Barr makes it 12-2. And a stall call makes it 13-2. Escape 13-3. Barr now in a race against the clock for the tech-fall. Takedown to run it up to 16-3. Out of bounds and Coach Cunningham says cut him and get the tech with 30 left on the clock. Single leg for Barr and he'll get it with 10 seeconds left on the clock. 19-4 is the final, no riding time point awarded (or necessary). 

Barr techs Walters, 19-4

PSU 38, Michigan 0

285: #5 Taye Ghadiali, Michigan vs #8 Cole Mirasola, Michigan

1st period: Can Ghadiali stop the shut out? It's the only bout where Michigan is the favorite on paper. Mirasola is no easy out, however. Handfighting with a smattering of attacks in the half of the period. Mirasola in deep with 45 seconds left in the period but Ghadiali gets back and stuffs the attack. No scores after three minutes of wrestling. No stall calls either. 

2nd period: Mirasola takes bottom. Ghadiali riding tough. Mirasola almost rolls him off but Taye recovers. Riding time creeps up towards a minute. It reads 0:58 when they go out of bounds. Double thigh pry for Ghadiali on the restart. Mirasola stands, and he;s out with RT at 1:15. 1-0 Cole leads. Ghadiali on the attack, he's got a leg, Mirasola scrambles, but Taye won't be denied. 3-1, the Wolverine takes the lead.  Ghadiali rides out the period and leads 3-1 with 1:42 of RT. 

3rd period: Ghadiali takes bottom. Mirasola is in a tough position as he'll likely try to ride for 43 seconds and then get a takedown with a little over a minute left. Ghadiali stands and is out after Mirasola rides for 37 seconds, so not ideal for Mirasola, but he needs a takedown either way, now he just needs to do it and ride for 5 seconds or more. Mirasola shoots, stall on Ghadiali. Taye still leads 4-1. Clock at 45 seconds. Another shot from Mirasola. He's in deep but can't finish clean. Big man scramble ensues. Ghadiali not letting go of the leg. And time runs out. Ghadiali wins 5-1 and Michigan avoids the shut out!

Ghadiali decisions Mirasola, 5-1

PSU 38, Michigan 3

That will do it for this Big Ten battle royale. Penn State dominated but Ghadiali was able to prevent the shutout in the closer. That makes it 84 in a row for Coach Cael and company. Thanks for reading, sorry for the typos and see you next time!