Penn State Wrestling Crushes No. 2 Ohio State 36-5

Cael Sanderson praises team's unity and grit ahead of postseason, while Ohio State's Tom Ryan laments missed opportunities

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Penn State wrestling team delivered a dominant 36-5 victory over No. 2 Ohio State, highlighting the disciplined, team-first approach that has become synonymous with Cael Sanderson's tenure as head coach. Sanderson praised his squad's closeness and ability to compete in critical moments, emphasizing the need to carry that same level of performance into the postseason. Meanwhile, Ohio State's Tom Ryan acknowledged the challenge of competing without three starters, but stressed that missed opportunities, not just absences, defined the night for the Buckeyes.

Why it matters

Penn State's continued dominance in wrestling underscores the program's sustained excellence under Cael Sanderson, who has built a culture of unity and toughness that has propelled the Nittany Lions to the top of the sport. The upcoming Big Ten Championships will be a crucial test for both teams as they gear up for the postseason.

The details

In the dual meet against Ohio State, Penn State showcased its disciplined, hard-fighting style that has become a hallmark of Cael Sanderson's tenure as head coach. The Nittany Lions delivered a commanding 36-5 victory over the No. 2 Buckeyes, further cementing their status as one of the top wrestling programs in the country. Sanderson praised his team's closeness and ability to compete in critical moments, emphasizing the need to maintain that level of performance as they prepare for the postseason. On the other side, Ohio State's Tom Ryan acknowledged the challenge of competing without three starters, but stressed that missed opportunities, not just absences, were the defining factor in the team's loss.

  • The Big Ten Championships are scheduled for March 7-8 and will be held at the Bryce Jordan Center, a familiar venue for Penn State.
  • The dual meet against Ohio State took place on February 14, 2026.

The players

Cael Sanderson

The head coach of the Penn State wrestling team, known for building a culture of unity and toughness that has propelled the Nittany Lions to sustained excellence in the sport.

Tom Ryan

The head coach of the Ohio State wrestling team, who acknowledged the challenge of competing without three starters but emphasized that missed opportunities, not just absences, were the defining factor in the team's loss against Penn State.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, I think it's just a close group and a lot of obviously tough battles tonight, and our guys fought hard. We were able to find those points at the end in really good matches. So yeah, it's just something we need to keep doing as we prepare for the postseason.”

— Cael Sanderson, Penn State Wrestling Head Coach (profootballnetwork.com)

“We knew coming in that, with three starters out, it's going to be a tough task, but there were a lot of matches that we were positioned to win and didn't win.”

— Tom Ryan, Ohio State Wrestling Head Coach (profootballnetwork.com)

“You got to win the war. When you have more opportunities than your opponent, you got to win them.”

— Tom Ryan, Ohio State Wrestling Head Coach (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

The Big Ten Championships are scheduled for March 7-8 and will be a crucial test for both Penn State and Ohio State as they gear up for the postseason.

The takeaway

Penn State's continued dominance in wrestling under Cael Sanderson highlights the program's sustained excellence and the coach's ability to build a culture of unity and toughness that has propelled the Nittany Lions to the top of the sport. The upcoming Big Ten Championships will be a crucial test for both teams as they look to carry their momentum into the postseason.