Braeden Davis

UNIVERSITY PARK — Earlier this season, PSU 141-pounder Braeden Davis was supposed to be redshirting.

A season-ending injury to Aaron Nagao changed things, and Davis was forced to get back into shape really quick.

How was his weight management going when his redshirt was pulled?

“Probably not the best…definitely not the best,” Davis joked.

But now with those days behind him, Davis is back into his normal shape, and it showed in a seven-takedown performance in his 24-10 major decision over Indiana’s Henry Porter.

Davis was one of nine PSU wrestlers to get bonus points in a 48-0 dismantling of the Hoosiers on Friday evening at Rec Hall.

Davis actually gave up the opening takedown of the match to Porter but rallied for seven straight takedowns and was just a point shy of grabbing a technical fall.

“It didn’t bother me too much,” Davis said of giving up the takedown. “I’ve always kind of been taught that if something goes bad, just go and score another. I didn’t think of it too deeply. I’m just glad I didn’t get thrown to my back.”

It was one of just three takedowns that the Hoosiers collected on the night, while the Lions had just as many takedowns as they did match points on the board (48).

“We just enjoy competing, and each individual is just working on what they do and just getting better in every match,” Sanderson said. “Every time you step out there, it’s an opportunity.”

The Lions’ top-ranked Luke Lilledahl got the night started with the first of two pins for his team, this one a second-period pin in 4:20 over Indiana’s Jacob Moran. Moran came into the night ranked 11th.

Penn State has six wrestlers ranked No. 1 by InterMat.

“We don’t really focus or worry or think too much about rankings. It’s the same boring process of get better every day and every competition, and just remain grateful for the opportunities that we have.”

The other fall of the night came at 165 when Mitchell Mesenbrink picked up a pin in 4:01 over Tyler Lillard.

Marcus Blaze (133), Shayne Van Ness (149), PJ Duke (157), Levi Haines (174), and Cole Mirasola (285) all had technical falls for the night.

Josh Barr (197) had a 14-6 major decision, while Rocco Welsh picked up a 15-9 decision.

“We weren’t at our best at every weight, but we’re just excited to keep pushing forward here and get right back on the mat (today),” Sanderson said.

Quick turnaround

Penn State is taking a bus to Maryland this morning to compete with the Terrapins for a 5 p.m. dual meet. This weekend’s snowstorm forced the two teams to move up the dual, which was originally supposed to be a noon start on Sunday.

“We generally don’t travel the same day we compete,” Sanderson said. “It’s a little adversity and change in schedule and it’s good for our guys. It’s good training. We wrestle three days in a row at nationals, two days in a row at the Big Ten. It’s good for their weight management. It’s good adversity training.”

THON match

Friday’s dual meet served as the wrestling team’s annual THON match.

The annual 46-hour dance marathon, which raises money to combat pediatric cancer, will be held next month in the Bryce Jordan Center.

“It just really keeps things in perspective,” Sanderson said. “We play a game. There’s a lot more serious things going on. Everybody is struggling with something. Obviously sports is such an unimportant thing in the big picture of life.”

125–Lilledahl, PSU, pinned Moran, I, 4:20; 133–Blaze, PSU, tech. fall Frazier, I, 19-4 5:44; 141–Davis maj. dec. Porter, I, 24-10; 149–Van Ness, PSU, tech. fall Buttler, I, 20-3 6:45; 157–Duke, PSU, tech. fall Lowery, I, 21-5 3:16.

165–Mesenbrink, PSU, pinned Lillard, I, 4:01; 174–Haines, PSU, tech. fall Cruz, I, 17-1 6:26; 184–Welsh, PSU, dec. Goin, I, 15-9; 197–Barr, PSU, maj. dec. Sollars, I, 14-6; 285–Mirasola, PSU, tech. fall Marzolino, I, 22-6 2:46.

Records: Indiana (6-3); Penn State (10-0).