How to Watch No. 1 Penn State Wrestling Vs. Michigan
Just how dominant is the No. 1 Penn State wrestling team? The first litmus test arrives Friday night in Ann Arbor, where the Nittany Lions meet No. 5 Michigan in their most intriguing match so far this season. The Penn State-Michigan match is part of a weekend road swing through the state. The Nittany Lions head to East Lansing on Sunday to face Michigan State.
Penn State appears to have found its lineup sweet spot for 2024, mixing some talented true freshmen with the returning national champs and All-Americans. Coach Cael Sanderson's team heads to Michigan with all 10 projected starters ranked in the top 14 at their respective weight classes, according to InterMat Wrestling. Eight projected starters are in the top 10, seven are undefeated, and the lineup has combined for a stunning 75-3 record.
How does that lineup match with Michigan? A look at the Nittany Lions' first true dual-meet test of the season.
No. 1 Penn State (4-0) vs. No. 13 Michigan (4-1)
- When: 6 p.m. ET Friday
- Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- TV: Big Ten Network
How to watch Penn State wrestling vs. Michigan
Big Ten Network will carry the Penn State-Michigan match live beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. The match is Penn State's second live broadcast on BTN this season.
About the Nittany Lions
Penn State arrives in Michigan after dominating Indiana 46-0, running its dual-match win streak to 48. The Lions generated bonus points in nine of 10 bouts, scored five technical falls and did not allow a takedown. And they did so without fifth-ranked Bernie Truax (184 pounds), who was out due to illness. Coach Cael Sanderson told reporters in State College this week that Truax would return to the lineup this weekend. The Lions have hammers across the lineup, including four top-ranked wrestlers, but the season's early story has been a pair of true freshmen. At 125, a recent blind spot in Penn State's lineup, Braeden Davis has been a force. He's 10-0 with three wins over ranked wrestlers and entered the InterMat Wrestling rankings this week at No. 14. At 149, fellow freshman Tyler Kasak appears to be taking the big step to replace injured All-American Shayne Van Ness. Kasak (6-1) has won consecutive bouts against top-15 opponents, including a technical fall over Indiana's then-No. 14 Graham Rooks. He jumped into the national rankings at No. 12.
Michigan wrestlers to watch
The Wolverines are ranked at every weight class, with seven wrestlers in InterMat's top 10. Some have interesting stories. Michael DeAugustino (No. 5 at 125) transferred from Northwestern, where he was a 2022 All-American and earned a Master's degree, for his last season. He'll be a schedule upgrade for Davis. At 133, sixth-ranked Dylan Ragusin planned to redshirt while going 14-0 to win three tournaments. But he burned that redshirt last week, going 2-0 in duals and giving Michigan another Big Ten contender. Ragusin vs. No. 4 Aaron Nagao will be a highlight bout. Sixth-ranked Austin Gomez (149) is 3-0 since joining Michigan's roster in December as a transfer from Wisconsin. Gomez is a three-time NCAA qualifier, a 2022 medalist and Kasak's toughest opponent to date. At heavyweight, Penn State's top-ranked Greg Kerkvliet faces No. 4 Lucas Davison, another Northwestern transfer who placed fifth at NCAAs last season.
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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.