UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State wrestling team’s first Big Ten Conference match of the 2025-26 season against Rutgers ended much like the other conference matches have under coach Cael Sanderson.

The top-ranked Nittany Lions displayed sheer dominance in a shutout, and they set another record.

Penn State recorded eight bonus-point victories, including three falls, and blasted the 19th-ranked Scarlet Knights, 46-0, before a sellout crowd of 6,457 fans at Rec Hall.

“I thought they looked really good,” Sanderson said. “It’s been a few weeks since we wrestled. Rutgers is always going to have a scrappy guy at every weight, so we’ve to be ready to go. We pushed the pace a little bit. We’ll just keep getting better each match. That’s the plan.”

The win was the 78th in a row for the Nittany Lions (7-0), breaking the record for all divisions that was previously set by Division II St. Cloud State (2017-2022).

The Lions had set the Division I record with their 77th straight win in the 42-0 win over Stanford on Dec. 20, breaking a mark Oklahoma State had held since 1951.

The last time Penn State lost was to Iowa, 19-17, on Jan. 31, 2020.

“I’ve said a few times I think it’s really cool for Penn State to have that record now,” Sanderson said. “It’s something that hopefully lasts for awhile. It’s not something that we’re really going to think about or did think about. Looking back, I think these guys will appreciate it more when they’re my age or half my age. It will be something that they were proud to be a part of.”

“It’s a really cool thing to be part of,” 197-pounder Josh Barr said. “Like Cael said, it’s not something we’re chasing after, but I think it’s something that comes with doing all the right things.”

“It’s definitely pretty cool,” freshman 157-pounder P.J. Duke said. “I walked into the record. I wasn’t a part of all the prior stuff, but it’s just amazing feeling to be a part of such a cool thing. I don’t even have words to describe how grateful I am to be part of the team.”

The Nittany Lions, who have outscored their first seven opponents 298-16, have posted three straight shutouts and have four this season. They have 32 shutouts under Sanderson in his career.

There were only two bouts that didn’t have bonus points on Saturday, including the first one at 125 between Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl and redshirt freshman Ayden Smith, a two-time PIAA state champ at Notre Dame-Green Pond.

Lilledahl was leading 5-2 late in the third period when he nailed a takedown. He released Smith as he looked for a major decision, but Lilledahl settled for an 8-3 decision.

Penn State freshman Marcus Blaze remained on fire with a 12-2 major decision over 2024 Big Ten champion and All-American Dylan Shawver.

Braedan Davis, who was expected to redshirt, made his debut at 141 on Saturday and rolled to an 18-7 major decision over Tahir Parkins. Injured Aaron Nagao will need surgery, Sanderson said.

“I thought Davis looked really good,” Sanderson said. “Braedan was aware (of the possible surgery) and was preparing. It’s nice having him in the lineup. He always competes hard.”

At 149, Shayne Van Ness built a 14-3 lead on Bishop McCort graduate Devon Magro before pinning him in 4:54.

Duke rang up a 19-4 technical fall over Easton Doster in 3:18 at 157, giving the Lions a 22-0 lead at halftime over the Scarlet Knights (6-3).

Returning NCAA champion Mitchell Mesenbrink used a cradle to pin Ryan Ford in 2:28 at 165. Three-time Big Ten champ Levi Haines followed at 174 with a fall in 4:49 over Jordan Chapman.

At 184, Rocco Welsh rolled to a 13-3 major decision over Shane Cartagena-Walsh, making the score 38-0.

Barr, who recently returned to the lineup at 197 after an injury, rang up an 18-3 technical fall in 7 minutes over former Davison High School, Mich. high school teammate and workout partner Remy Cotton.

“It was cool to do it at Rec Hall,” Barr said. “I was just grateful I got to compete tonight. I feel great I think it was good to give my whole body a break. I’m just fired up for the rest of the season.”

Cole Mirasola, who weighed in at 225 pounds for his bout at 285, secured his 4-2 win over Hunter Catka with a takedown with 1:02 left in the bout.

“He’s just continuing to figure things out wrestling as a heavyweight,” Sanderson said. “He did a nice job there and found a way to get that takedown at the end.”

The Lions will look to extend their winning streak on Friday at Iowa and Sunday at Northwestern.

125–Lilledahl, PS, dec. Smith, 8-3; 133–Blaze, PS, maj. dec. Shawver, 12-2; 141–Davis, PS, maj. dec. Parkins, 18-7; 149–Van Ness, PS, pinned Magro, 4:54; 157–Duke, PS, tech fall Doster, 19-4, 3:18

165–Mesenbrink, PS, pinned Ford, 2:28; 174–Haines, PS, pinned Chapman, 4:49; 184–Welsh, PS, maj. dec. Cartagena-Walsh, 13-3; 197–Barr, PS, tech fall Cotton, 18-3, 7:00; 285–Col. Mirasola, PS, dec. Catka, 4-2.

Records: Rutgers (6-3), Penn State (7-0).

Attendance: 6,457.