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UNIVERSITY PARK -- The top-ranked Penn State wrestling team took the Rec Hall mat on Sunday afternoon against Maryland without resting starters Aaron Brooks (184) and Greg Kerkvliet (285).
It didn't matter.
The Nittany Lions racked up three pins, two technical falls, a major decision, two decisions, a forfeit win and a 38-1 takedown advantage to pound the Terrapins, 44-3.
The victory before 6,504 at Rec Hall gave the Lions their third straight regular season Big Ten Conference title and ninth overall. They're 15-0 overall and finished 8-0 in the Big Ten.
"I think it's a good accomplishment that we got," 149-pounder Shayne Van Ness said, "but at 12 o'clock tonight that is over, and we're on to the next thing. We're looking forward to the next match."
"These dual meets are a big deal to us and our program, when you're going head-to-head with some rival schools," Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said. "We want to wrestle as well as we can. It's special, but like Shayne said, this is great, but now we move on to the next one."
After Maryland's Braxton Brown beat Gary Steen, 1-0, at 125, Roman Bravo-Young put on a takedown clinic against King Sandoval at 133. Bravo-Young (12-0) took Sandoval down 14 times en route to a 29-13 technical fall in 6:45.
At 141, Penn State's Beau Bartlett earned a 5-2 decision over Kal Miller. Bartlett, up 2-0 entering the third period, gave up an escape with 55 seconds left. He got got another takedown with 40 seconds left and released Miller with 23 seconds left when riding time advantage reached 1:00.
Van Ness followed at 149 with a 19-4 technical fall in 7:00 over Ethan Miller. Leading 12-4 in the third, Van Ness took Miller down to his back for a six-point move.
Levi Haines didn't waste any time with Maryland's Kevin Schork at 157. The Nittany Lion freshman built an 8-1 lead before pinning Schork in 1:42 to give Penn State a 19-3 lead at halftime. Haines has become a fan favorite.
"I don't think I'd say a fan favorite," Haines said. "I think we're all fun to watch. I think going out and wrestling like we do is enjoyable to watch. It's entertaining."
Alex Facundo took Lucas Cordio down seven times before at 165 putting the Terrapin on his back and pinning him in 5:38.
Two-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci turned in a 14-6 major decision over Dominic Solis at 174.
Donovon Ball stepped in for Brooks successfully, beating Kevin Makosy, 10-3, at 184, giving the Lions a 32-3 lead.
"I think he's done really well filling in for Aaron," Sanderson said. "He's fun to watch wrestle. He has an entertaining offense. He's ready to step whenever it's needed, so we're super grateful for that."
After Max Dean won by forfeit at 197, Seth Nevills, wrestling instead of Kerkvliet at 285, finished the dual meet with a pin of Jordan Gabriel in 1:56.
"He looked good," Sanderson said of Nevills. "He wrestled smart and got the fall in the first period. He's only had a couple opportunities to wrestle this year, but he's one of the best heavyweights in the country, for sure. He's a great athlete. When he gets a chance to wrestle, he's pretty darn good."
The Nittany Lions will finish off the regular season at 1 p.m. next Sunday at home against Clarion University. And then it's on to the Big Ten Championships on March 4 at Michigan.
"I think the team is wrestling better every week," Sanderson said. "These guys are gamers and competitors. So the bigger the match the better they wrestle. I think as we get into the postseason, we're going to have some fun."
125--Brown, M, dec. Steen, 1-0; 133--Bravo-Young, PS, tech. fall Sandoval, 28-13, 6:45; 141--Bartlett, PS, dec. K. Miller, 5-2; 149--Bartlett, PS, tech. fall E. Miller, 19-4, 7:00; 157--Haines, PS, pinned Schork, 1:42
165--Facundo, PS, pinned Cordio, 5:38; 174--Starocci, PS, maj. dec. Solis, 14-6; 184--Ball, PS, dec. Makosy, 10-3; 197--Dean, PS, won by forfeit; 285--Nevills, PS, pinned Gabriel, 1:56.
Records: Maryland (9-8 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), Penn State (15-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 6,504.