UNIVERSITY PARK — One day, Frank Molinaro wants to look back on his collegiate wrestling career and remember this one specifically.

Today’s main event, a clash between third-ranked Penn State and No. 2 Iowa, could be forever engrained as a history-making afternoon for Penn State. It could stem the Nittany Lions’ recent tide of defeat after defeat to the Iowa Hawkeyes — a streak that dates back to the 2007 season. It could bookmark a moment of athletic epiphany for the younger Penn State wrestlers and momentarily erase the sting of bitter loss after bitter loss for the senior-most group, Molinaro included.

First, Penn State (7-1, 3-1) will have to do something it hasn’t come close to doing in its last four tries — beat Iowa (9-2, 4-1).

“I’ve never been on a team that beat them,” Molinaro said firmly inside the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex earlier this week. “It means a lot to us seniors, too, ending our careers saying we beat Iowa our senior year and then went on to win nationals. I really want to win this and look back on my senior year and all the high points and this being one of the biggest high points.”

For now, no Penn State wrestler can boast that they were on a Penn State team that defeated the Hawkeyes.

Even Cael Sanderson, the Nittany Lions’ coach who has accomplished nearly every other goal in the sport one could possibly imagine, has yet to defeat the Hawkeyes in a dual meet as a head coach.

“I think there are a lot of coaches that probably haven’t beaten Iowa in their career,” Sanderson said. “Iowa’s just had some great teams and some great coaches and a lot of great athletes. … It’s not something I’m worried about. I don’t look at this as anything personal, like something I want to do. We have 10 guys on our team and my job is to help them be the best they can be and be the best they can be at the right moments in time. That’s what I’m looking for more than something for my own personal career.”

But the Lions want this one for their skipper as much as they want it for themselves.

“We believe every (Penn State) lineup can (beat Iowa),” Penn State junior Quentin Wright said. “But it’s a matter of going out and doing it. And that’s what we want to prove this weekend.”

The Hawkeyes will limp into Rec Hall after suffering a shocking loss to No. 7 Ohio State on Friday. The Buckeyes won seven of 10 matches and beat Iowa for the first time since 1966, 21-9.

Iowa 2 got No. 157-pounder Derek St. John back from the injured list, but lost five matches in a row from 133 to 165 to fall into an inescapable hole early.

Ohio State took control by upsetting Iowa’s vaunted lightweights — No. 2 Tony Ramos at 133 and No. 3 Montell Marion at 141 pounds — two weight classes Iowa won against Penn State last season. In addition, Iowa earned a crucial six bonus points when No. 2 Matt McDonough pinned Nathan Morgan at 125 pounds.

Sanderson said he would feel comfortable starting at 125 again, this time with freshman No. 8 Nico Megaludis in that slot for Penn State.

“I’m confident in Nico Megaludis, he’s done an incredible job getting things started for us throughout the year,” Sanderson said. “The fire that he brings and takes to the mat is really second to none. And I feel very, very confident with his leadership.”

Overall, Iowa’s lineup is as dangerous as any in the country from top to bottom. Sporting seven nationally ranked wrestlers at their respective weight classes — most of them come highly decorated — the Hawkeyes’ employ a slow, grinding style that nears a ferocious pace as matches drag on.

It’s not a style Molinaro particularly appreciates, considering the Lions’ on-mat philosophy is very different.

“I respect that they wrestle hard and everything, but there’s a couple of things I don’t like about their style of wrestling,” Molinaro said. “I think we’re a more talented team and I’m proud to say that … If you watch us wrestle we wrestle hard for seven minutes.”

Penn State sophomore David Taylor, who provided the Lions with their only bonus point last season when he majored St. John at 157 pounds, echoed Molinaro’s scouting report.

“They’re a counter-wrestle team. They’re going to keep it close,” Taylor said. “They’re good in short offense and they’re good in close matches and that’s what they want. You can’t go into their gameplan.”

Penn State wrestlers are also figuring the Hawkeyes will thrive on what is sure to be a rabid atmosphere inside Rec Hall. This match was sold out before the season even began.

“Our approach to it is not any different. It’s just the excitement around the end of the week is different,” Wright said. “Everybody gets the buzz going around and you get calls from people seeing if you can get them tickets. Everyone wants tickets for the match. … Our approach is the same, it’s just for higher stakes. A lot more pride is on the line.”

Travis Johnson can be reached at 231-4629.