3 Penn State wrestling takeaways and full results from a 35-3 win over Rutgers: Josh Barr shines and more

Penn State wrestling won nine of 10 bouts and earned four technical falls en route to a 35-3 win over Rutgers on Friday night at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, N.J. It marked the Nittany Lions’ 65th consecutive dual meet victory, putting it just 11 behind Oklahoma State’s all-time record of 76.

Our top takeaways from head coach Cael Sanderson’s team’s ninth win of the season are below.

1. Josh Barr stole the show

There were plenty of impressive wins for the visitors. But, none of them will be talked about in the same way that redshirt freshman Josh Barr’s will be.

After a scoreless first period opposite No. 16 John Poznanski at 197 pounds, the No. 4 Nittany Lion rode out the second period. Then, he went on a scoring rampage in the third period. The Michigan native scored seven takedowns and added an escape in an impressive barrage of offense to secure a 22-6 technical fall in 6:19. Barr may not move up in the next set of InterMat rankings. But, he made clear that he will be a threat at the national tournament in March.

2. Lilledahl gets an experience he will learn from

The only Penn State setback of the night came at 125 pounds. No. 6 freshman Luke Lilledahl, who entered the night perfect at the collegiate level at 11-0, tied his bout with No. 19 Dean Peterson at one with a third period escape but then gave up a takedown late in the final frame to drop a 4-1 decision.

Nittany Lions fans felt stalling calls were needed but not given against the Scarlet Knight. Perhaps it’s fair and perhaps it’s not. Either way, ‘Lightning Luke’ never got his trademark offense going, and it will be something he learns from as he continues to build toward the postseason.

3. The upperweights roll again

Per the usual, Penn State rolled in the second half of a match that started at 125 pounds.

After only Shayne Van Ness recorded bonus points via a technical fall triumph win at 149 pounds over the first five matches, the Nittany Lions secured three in the final five matches. Mitchell Mesenbrink and Carter Starocci both kept their perfect win by bonus points season in tact by beating No. 26 Anthony White 20-3 in 6:30 and No. 18 Shane Cartagena-Walsh 17-2 in 6:59, respectively. Levi Haines (174), Barr of course, and Greg Kerkvliet also earned victories to close out the match.

Full Penn State-Rutgers results

125 pounds: No. 19 Dean Peterson, Rutgers d. No. 6 Luke Lilledahl, PSU, 4-1 (3-0 RU)

133 pounds: No. 7 Braeden Davis, PSU d. No. 9 Dylan Shawver, Rutgers, 2-1 (3-3)

141 pounds: No. 3 Beau Bartlett, PSU d. No. 14 Joseph Olivieri, Rutgers, 7-3 (6-3 PSU)

149 pounds: No. 4 Shayne Van Ness TF Alex Nini, Rutgers, 17-2 (5:26) (11-3 PSU)

157 pounds: No. 3 Tyler Kasak, PSU d. No. 31 Conner Harer, Rutgers, 4-0 (14-3 PSU)

165 pounds: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU TF  No. 26 Anthony White, Rutgers, 20-3 (6:30) (19-3 PSU)

174 pounds: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU d. No. 22 Jackson Turley, Rutgers, 5-2 (22-3 PSU)

184 pounds: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU TF  No. 18 Shane Cartagena-Walsh, Rutgers, 17-2 (6:58) (27-3 PSU)

197 pounds: No. 4 Josh Barr, PSU TF. No. 16 John Poznanski, Rutgers, 22-6 (6:19) (32-3 PSU)

285 pounds: No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet, PSU d. No. 7 Yaraslau Slavikouski, Rutgers. 2-0 (PSU 35-3)