Three takeaways from No. 1 Penn State wrestling’s 30-8 win over No. 2 Iowa at BJC dual
Anytime the top teams in the country go at it in any sport, it’s always full of hype — and Friday night’s Penn State and Iowa wrestling match lived up to its billing.
The Nittany Lions never trailed and cruised to a 30-8 victory over the Hawkeyes at PSU’s Bryce Jordan Center. Here are three takeaways from the battle of the previous unbeatens, No. 1 vs. No. 2:
Lilledahl poised to make noise at 125
Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl is not your average true freshman wrestler.
He’s had so much success on the international stage, including winning a U20 world championship in September and a U20 Pan-Am crown. His lightning-quick reattacks have proven fatal to his opponents.
Friday night Lilledahl showed he’s got a gas tank in him too. He rattled off five third-period takedowns with ease en route to a 22-6 technical fall over No. 26 Joey Cruz. The effort brought the sold-out Bryce Jordan Center crowd to their feet. Don’t be surprised to see him ahead of his current No. 7 ranking at the end of the season.
New No. 1 coming to Nittany Lions’ lineup?
Everyone waited in anticipation to see if No. 3 Tyler Kasak would get a shot at No. 1 Jacori Teemer.
It came to fruition, and Kasak gave Penn State fans something to cheer about.
After the pair wrestled to a scoreless first period, Kasak was able to get a takedown of the top wrestler to lead 4-1 after two periods.
In the third, Teemer tried to get a winning score, but Kasak held Teemer in the air — and even gave the crowd a fist pump. Once the final whistle blew, it was like the top blew off the Bryce Jordan Center. Even Kasak screamed with excitement and flexed for the crowd.
Nittany Lions are Hawkeyes’ kryptonite
Penn State hasn’t lost a dual in five years.
Its last loss came to Iowa on Jan. 31, 2020. Ever since that point, the Nittany Lions have had the Hawkeyes’ number to the tune of four straight wins.
The closest margin of victory in those victories was in 2022 when Penn State topped Iowa 19-13. Since then, the Nittany Lions have won each dual by no less than nine points.
The Hawkeyes have been able to steamroll others, but not so much against Penn State.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 9:18 PM.
