Penn State Wrestling Dominates Michigan 38-3

Nittany Lions extend NCAA record dual meet winning streak to 84 matches

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Penn State Wrestling steamrolled No. 11 Michigan 38-3 on Friday night, winning nine of the 10 matches. The Nittany Lions won three decisions, one major decision, and five technical falls in the dominant performance.

Why it matters

This matchup between the Nittany Lions and Wolverines was a key Big Ten dual meet, as Penn State continues its quest for another NCAA championship. The Nittany Lions' dominant win extends their NCAA record dual meet winning streak to 84 matches.

The details

Penn State won several close matches, including Nate Desmond's 8-5 sudden victory win at 141 pounds and PJ Duke's 12-10 decision at 157 pounds. The Nittany Lions also got standout performances from their top-ranked wrestlers, including Luke Lilledahl, Marcus Blaze, Shayne Van Ness, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, Rocco Welsh, and Josh Barr.

  • The dual meet took place on Friday, February 7, 2026.
  • Penn State's next match is against No. 2 Ohio State next Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center.

The players

Penn State Wrestling

The Penn State wrestling team, led by head coach Cael Sanderson, is one of the top programs in the country and a perennial NCAA championship contender.

Michigan Wrestling

The Michigan wrestling team is ranked No. 11 nationally and faced off against the powerhouse Penn State squad.

Cael Sanderson

The head coach of the Penn State wrestling team, who has led the Nittany Lions to multiple NCAA championships during his tenure.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Penn State will host No. 2 Ohio State next Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center in a key Big Ten dual meet matchup.

The takeaway

Penn State Wrestling continues to assert its dominance, extending its NCAA record dual meet winning streak to 84 matches with a dominant 38-3 victory over Michigan. The Nittany Lions' depth and talent were on full display, as they won nine of the 10 matches, further cementing their status as one of the top programs in the country.