Penn State wrestling vs. Oregon State: Preview, how to watch, predictions, starting lineups, and more

The top-ranked Penn State wrestling team (3-0) hosts its final dual meet at Rec Hall in 2022 on Sunday when the Oregon State Beavers (2-1) visit for a 2 p.m. ET non-conference showdown. It’s the third all-time meeting between the two programs and second in as many years. Last fall, the Lions took down the PAC-12 program 32-7 at the Journeymen Duals in Manheim, Pa.

“We’re looking forward to a great match,” Sanderson said. “They have tough kids, and one of the up-and-coming programs. A coaching staff that has done a tremendous job, as we saw last year at nationals. So, we’re excited for the match.”

It’s the second home dual of the year for head coach Cael Sanderson’s side. It beat Lock Haven at Rec Hall 44-3 back in November before securing a pair of road wins over Rider (37-3) and Lehigh (24-12) last weekend.

Get ready for Penn State-Oregon State with our preview below.

Penn State vs. Oregon State wrestling: How to watch, follow

There are three ways to follow Sunday afternoon’s match if you are not inside Rec Hall.

The first is by watching the match on ESPNU. Those who do not subscribe to it via cable, satellite television, or a web-based service can also stream it via a subscription to ESPN+.

Longtime Lions radio play-by-play broadcaster Jeff Byers will also be matside providing a call of the action. Click here to access the free LionVision feed, which goes on the air around 1:40 p.m. with the prematch show.

Last but certainly not least, you can follow along live and chat with other Penn State wrestling fans on Blue-White Illustrated’s The Wrestling Room forum. Access it by clicking here.

Projected Penn State-Oregon State starting lineups and matches

As always, these are subject to change on match day. But, here’s the rundown as things currently stand, courtesy of the Penn State match notes:

125 pounds: Gary Steen (Penn State) vs. No. 12 Brandon Kaylor (Oregon State)

133 pounds: No. 1 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) vs. No. 16 Jason Shaner (OSU)

141 pounds: No. 9 Beau Bartlett (Penn State) vs. No. 24 Cleveland Belton (Oregon State)

149 pounds: No. 14 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) vs. Hunter Eveland OR Noah Tolentino (OSU)

157 pounds: No. 30 Terrell Barraclough (Penn State) vs. Graham Gambrall (Oregon State)

165 pounds: No. 15 Alex Facundo (PSU) vs. No. 24 Matthew Olguin (OSU)

174 pounds: No. 1 Carter Starocci (Penn State) vs. No. 28 Aaron Olmus or Mason Christiansen (Oregon State)

184 pounds: No. 1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) vs. No. 13 Trey Munoz (OSU)

197 pounds: No. 5 Max Dean (Penn State) vs. No. 11 Tanner Harvey (Oregon State)

285 pounds: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) vs. JJ Dixon OR Bryan Reyes (OSU)

What will the match of the bout be?

After Max Dean suffered a pair of defeats last weekend, many Penn State fans are worried about where the defending NCAA champion is at this early juncture. We’re here to say this: Don’t sweat it.

Cael Sanderson has long preached a tried and true method of using the early and middle parts of the season to learn enough so that each wrestler is at his best for the postseason. It’s worked every other year and will this year, too, as he, Dean, and the rest of the staff, and many talented wrestlers in the room, will aim to correct whatever helped lead to those two setbacks. That said, a win over Harvey would sure ease a lot of concerns, even if they feel a bit unwarranted at this point in time.

So, we point there as the match of the bout, while noting Bartlett/Belton will be fun, as well.

Other Penn State-Oregon State prematch thoughts

–Bravo-Young made it sound like he will wrestle this weekend during this week’s media availability. But, we’ll know for sure after weigh-ins. He’s certainly earned the right to pick and choose his competition dates. But, the home fans would obviously be delighted if he takes the mat as expected.

–Oregon State’s two wins last year came at 125 and 157. Can Steen do what Baylor Shunk couldn’t and beat Kaylor? We’ll see. At 157, Barraclough will be favored with Hunter Willits, who beat Joey Blumer last year, no longer around.

–Not every Penn State match is televised, of course. But those who are at home should be thrilled that this one is. ESPN continues to do strong work to put more college bouts on television instead of only its streaming service, which is a good thing for the sport.