Penn State Wrestling has rolled to a 7-0 unbeaten start while dispatching opponents with authority.
Coming off a win over Rutgers, the defending 14-time national champions now face a more challenging road test, with away duals against Iowa and Northwestern set for this weekend, matchups that will see the Nittany Lions contend not only with elite competition but also challenging environments.
Penn State appears well-equipped for the challenge, with the likes of PJ Duke, Luke Lilledahl, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, and Josh Barr emerging as formidable forces who will be eager to test themselves against two of the nation’s top programs.
Where To Watch Penn State Wrestling vs Iowa and Northwestern?
The defending NCAA champions, Penn State, will have their upcoming duals against Iowa and Northwestern aired across different platforms. Fox Sports will broadcast the highly anticipated matchup against Iowa, while the Northwestern dual will be available via live stream on Big Ten Plus.
Where to watch live: Iowa City, Iowa (vs Iowa); Evanston, Illinois (vs Northwestern)
Timings: January 16, 7:00 p.m. EST (Iowa); January 18, 3:00 p.m. EST (Northwestern)
Streaming: Big Ten Network, FOX Sports App
Penn State is set to face Iowa at 7:00 p.m. EST on January 16 before heading to Evanston, Illinois, for a matchup against Northwestern at 3:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 18. The clash with Iowa remains the marquee showdown of the weekend, fueled by one of NCAA wrestling’s most storied rivalries and its impact on the national title picture.
Despite its unbeaten start, Penn State has faced adversity within its lineup. The No. 1-ranked team has been impacted by an injury to Aaron Nagao at 141 pounds. Freshman Braeden Davis has stepped into the lineup, with the coaching staff opting to burn his redshirt amid ongoing injury concerns.
Head Coach Cael Sanderson Explains Decision to Burn Braeden Davis’ Redshirt Amid Injury Setbacks
Nittany Lions’ head coach Cael Sanderson addressed the decision following Nagao’s injury, citing health and long-term recovery as the primary factors. Asked when the decision was made, Sanderson called Aaron Nagao’s injury a key factor.
Sanderson said, “I thought Davis looked really good. After with Aaron, we just wanted to give him as much time for recovery, but unfortunately, his injury probably requires another surgery-type thing.”
READ MORE: What Head Coach Cael Sanderson Said After Penn State Wrestling’s 46-0 Rout of Rutgers
The 46-year-old added that Nagao briefly attempted to return to competition to assess whether continuing was feasible, but the injury eventually proved too limiting. “He went and competed to see if it could work, and it just wasn’t something that was really going to be sustainable for him.”
He also praised the team’s adaptability, crediting Nate Desmond for stepping up by jumping two weight classes when needed. Sanderson emphasized that wrestlers’ willingness to fill gaps and take responsibility reflects the program’s culture.
